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Question - Birth Names

betsyemhuff1960
betsyemhuff1960 ✭✭
August 15, 2021 in Family Tree

When entering birth names in I have been taught if they were a doctor later in life; etc., not to put that. They weren’t born doctor so and so. I just had to make a correction. When searching for someone you search for the birth name. Doctor so and so can be an alternate name. Is this correct????

0

Answers

  • Brett .
    Brett . ✭✭✭✭✭
    August 15, 2021

    @betsyemhuff6010

    Betsy

    It' 'Brett'.

    Short Answer: It DOES NOT really matter, as long as such, are recorded in, "Title"; and/or, "Suffix", Sub-Fields.

    The many various Users/Patrons, all have different opinions, as to whether or not, to include the 'Official', "Titles"; and/or, "Suffixes", in the "Name" Field in the "Vitals" Section.

    Basically, it is up to you; as, a User/Patron.

    Technically, there is NO 'hard or fast rule'; as to whether or not, include the 'Official', "Titles"; and/or, "Suffixes", in the "Name" Field in the "Vitals" Section.

    But ...

    That Said ...

    Always remember, whatever you do, another User/Patron, may not like that; and, summarily change what you have done, that is the nature of the "Open Edit" Platform that is "Family Tree" of 'FamilySearch'.

    And ...

    As an aside ...

    Some individuals/persons ARE actually BORN with a "Title(s)" ...

    Generally, I do what you do.

    ie.

    "Birth" name, WITHOUT 'Official', "Titles"; and/or, "Suffixes", in the "Name" Field in the "Vitals" Section.

    And, ("Birth") name, WITH 'Official', "Titles"; and/or, "Suffixes", as an "Alternate Name", in the "Other Information" Section.

    But, that said, not always.

    And, I do not necessarily change a "Birth" name, WITH 'Official', "Titles"; and/or, "Suffixes", in the "Name" Field in the "Vitals" Section, as long as the 'Official', "Titles"; and/or, "Suffixes" are in the CORRECT, "Title"; and, "Suffix" Sub-Fields. Or, the "Abbreviation" used is not clear. Personally, I do not like "Abbreviations" in "Titles"; where, I do not mind them in "Suffixes"; as, often, they ARE necessary.

    Just my thoughts.

    Brett

    0
  • Brett .
    Brett . ✭✭✭✭✭
    August 15, 2021

    @betsyemhuff6010

    Betsy

    And ...

    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

    ------------------

    Put each part of the name in the correct field

    • Title—Use Title for words like “Count” or “Mister.” If a person lacks a title, leave this field blank. 
    • First Names—Enter the person's first and middle names. Put nicknames in the “Other Information” section.
    • Last Names—Enter the person’s family name or surname. If a woman changed her surname after marriage, enter her maiden name. If the person has no last name, such as for Native Americans, leave the Last Name field blank.
    • Suffix—Enter words like “Jr.” or “Sr.,” or perhaps a Roman numeral, as in “John Smith III.” If a person lacks a suffix, leave this field blank. 

    ------------------

    Brett

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  • betsyemhuff1960
    betsyemhuff1960 ✭✭
    August 15, 2021

    @Brett .

    That helped! I took out the title in the birth name, and then did an alternate name with the title.

    If I was going to do a search for this person, I wouldn’t be searching for him with the title, I would be searching for him with the birth name.😊😊😊😊

    0
  • Brett .
    Brett . ✭✭✭✭✭
    August 15, 2021

    @betsyemhuff6010

    Betsy

    FYI

    It DOES NOT matter so much, about a "Name", in the "Vitals" Section, having, a "Title"; or, for that matter, a "Suffix"; as, for when, searching, the "Name" would be "Found", in the search either, WITH; or, WITHOUT, such, "Title"; and/or, "Suffix".

    Plus, that is also the reason, WHY, it is BEST, to INCLUDE, the various "Alternate Names", in the "Other Information" Section, for an individual/person; as, for when, searching, the search also 'looks' for the "Alternate Names".

    Basically ...

    That is why, it matters not, whether or not, 'Official', "Titles"; and/or, "Suffixes", are included, in the "Name" Field, in the "Vitals" Section. And, again, the SAME holds true, in "Alternate Names".

    So, as already suggested, it is up to you; as, a User/Patron.

    And, technically, there is NO 'hard or fast rule'.

    Plus, always remember, whatever you do, another User/Patron, may not like that; and, summarily change what you have done, that is the nature of the "Open Edit" Platform that is "Family Tree" of 'FamilySearch'.

    That is all

    Brett

    0
  • betsyemhuff1960
    betsyemhuff1960 ✭✭
    August 15, 2021

    @Brett .

    Thanks!

    0
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