Genealogy Chat

Hello, new to this whole geneology thing, so would be grateful for a little idiots advice. When I enter a surname on my tree - which one do I use? The birth one, adoption one or married one? Also, how do I show a death? It appears on my tree that some people are bigamists as their previous partner has died and they have remarried. Looking forward to your help Thanks Sharon

For deaths.........when someone re-marries after being widowed, just put an approximate year for the spouse's death..........after the last census sighting, but before the re-marriage. You can always amend the info when you find the actual death registration....... Reg

Always add females by their maiden name, never use their married name. Sam x

For most purposes, the birth name is recorded........... certainly not the married name, anyway.......you'd never tie females to their siblings and parents otherwise............ I don't have any adopted people in my tree, so have no experience of such entries. However, as adoptees legally use their 'new' names throughout their lives, it may be as well to enter the adopted name, with notes referring to their 'birth' details, if known.......... I'm sure others with direct experience will offer good advice on that matter. Reg

thank-you to all replies rec'd so far - very quick! If anyone can shed light on the adoption issue I'd be grateful. Thanks Sharon

I always but the maiden name of women one of my contacts uses Married name nee Maiden name in the surname field and it is HELL to figure out her tree. Just a note:- on this site you can't attach a person to both birth parents and adopted parents. the name you asign to an adopted person adopted surname or birth name) tends to be your and their choice.