How to index a hyphenated name from the early 1900's?

Cindy Snow

I am reviewing a business directory indexed from "US—City and Business Directories, 1749–1990 [Part B][MSPF-5Z2]" https://www.familysearch.org/indexing/batch/2af655cd-7edd-49e1-822d-77f5e16211fc.

This batch is from ~1900. Today hyphenated last names for a person are common. It was not so in the early 1900s. When I see a name like "Brislin-Sheble" I think it is two last names and each should be indexed separately. I see that it was indexed as one record with the hyphenated name. I'm cautious changing what the indexer has done. Should I change it to show two different entries, or leave it as one hyphenated name, or include all 3 as separate entries?

Melissa S Himes

I could not see your batch and keep getting an error message. If the batch has been submitted, it can't be shared.

Anyway, I googled Brishlin-Sheble and found out if was a manufacturing company in St Louis. Another source said Mr Sheble was the Vice President. So, you would index each name as the surname. Frankly, I don't think it matters if you index this as one name or two. Both ways will make the record searchable and bring the researcher of either name to the image. They will see the listing. But, if you want to be precise, a search of the web will usually give you some more information on the business.

Hope that helps you in making the decision.

Mirevo

 instead "Barner-Kehlenbeck Wines and Liquors"?

Hi Cindy;

I believe that there would be two people still, and creating two separate entries to index them separately would be wonderful for them to be found.

ECameron27

• Index names of employers and and employees. When indexing business names, index the names of individuals only. For example, "The Ad Book" would not be indexed, but "Barner Kehlenbeck Wines and Liquors" should be indexed. In this case, you would create 2 entries. One for Barner (surname) and another for Kehlenbeck (surname). Do not index occupations or terms such as, "banker," "policeman," "M.D.," or similar terms.

I found this in the instructions for your project hope it helps.

Cindy Snow

Thank you for your response. Specifically I need to know how to index if this example "Barner Kehlenbeck Wines and Liquors" was instead "Barner-Kehlenbeck Wines and Liquors"