Do we add titles to names, such as Dr, Capt, etc?

Peggy Godown Schmidt

I've been asked about adding titles and would like to know what the current policy is about this.

Brett .

@Peggy Godown Schmidt

Peggy

Welcome to the "Community.FamilySearch" Forum.

I am just another 'lowly' User/Patron ...

Short Answer: There is NO 'hard or fast rule', NO real 'Policy'.

The decision as to whether or not to add a "Title" is left to the discretion of the User/Patron.

Here is a "knowledge Article" in 'FamilySearch':

How should I enter names in Family Tree?

https://www.familysearch.org/help/helpcenter/article/how-to-enter-names-in-family-tree

https://www.familysearch.org/help/helpcenter/article/how-to-enter-names-in-family-tree

Where it states, among other things:

Quote

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Title—Use Title for words like “Count” or “Mister.” If a person lacks a title, leave this field blank.

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Basically, the choice is yours ...

But ...

That Said ...

Another User/Patron may come along and "Delete"/"Remove" the "Title".

That is the nature of the "Open Edit" Platform, that is "Family Tree" of 'FamilySearch'.

I hope this helps.

Brett

Brett .

@Peggy Godown Schmidt

Peggy

Just something else to consider.

Some prescribe, to NOT putting ANY, "Titles"; and/or. "Suffixes", in the "Name" Filed in the "Vitals" Section.

But, WILL put, "Titles"; and/or. "Suffixes", in the "Alternate Name" Filed in the "Other Information" Section.

Whereas ...

Some prescribe, to putting ANY, "Titles"; and/or. "Suffixes", in the "Name" Filed in the "Vitals" Section.

Again ...

▬ There is NO 'hard or fast rule', NO real 'Policy'.

▬ The decision as to whether or not to add a "Title" is left to the discretion of the User/Patron.

▬ Another User/Patron may come along and "Delete"/"Remove" the "Title".

▬ That is the nature of the "Open Edit" Platform, that is "Family Tree" of 'FamilySearch'.

Brett

Dennis J Yancey

One thing to ask yourself is whether or not the "title" really adds value to the data.

Repeatedly adding titles of "Mr." and "Mrs". to me adds no value

Also if a title was only used at one point in the persons life - than is it really the right thing to use on a record that represents the person as a whole - across their whole life. (there is no concrete right or wrong answer to that)

Also be sure and note the "alternate name" option that can be used to show varying names/titles used across the life history of the person.