I have a question about last names for females. I am finding birth records for female relatives bor

BaileyTammiL

I have a question about last names for females. I am finding birth records for female relatives born in Sao Miguel, but I am not sure what I should record for a last name, as I understand that they may choose the last name of the father, or the mother?

Ana Paula de Aguiar Gomes

Sim, pode ser o sobrenome do pai ou da mãe, era muito comum na época.

Adilia Mata

@BaileyTammiL BaileyTammiL​ It may vary considerably. Maybe you could look up marriage records and find out what was each individual's chosen surname.

BaileyTammiL

Good idea. However I am not sure how to find marriage records if I only have a birth record?

Adilia Mata

@BaileyTammiL BaileyTammiL​ you can do an estimate When looking for marriages I estimate the marriage year based on their birth year and focus on the parents of either bride or groom, depending on whom I'm looking for.

For instance, born in 1850, could have married at 18 years of so I look in 1868. Born in 1880, could have married in 1898. That's my initial point for research. Then I go through the books available, taking notes what I have already researched.

It's always wise to consider that some married in their late twenties or thirties. It's a game of patience

Adilia Mata

@BaileyTammiL BaileyTammiL​ Check if the parish you're interested already has indexes for the time you're researching. Good luck!