Genealogy Chat

i've got a copy of my gg grandfathers birth cert , and have just looked him up on the Church of Latter Day Saints web site on there i've found his birth and christening with the correct birth date but he has suddenly developed a middle name that doesn't appear on his birth cert, also his surname is spelt different on his birth cert he is Henry Reed, but for christening going by the COLDS he has become Henry Samuel Read both dates of birth given as 13 Feb 1872? Can anyone shed any light for me?

This is not unusual in the least. There can be numerous entries for the same person on LDS, with one letter or number different, or entered by different people. That is why a lot of people use LDS as a refernce point only, and not as a definite link. As you have a certificate, then I would take that as the true link. You can always, if possible, check the actual Parish Records to see if there was a middle name, or other certs such as marriage etc. Can you be sure there is not another family connection as well, as in another birth around the same time to another member of the family?? Paul

Names in the 1800's very often differed in their spelling. In doing some historical research, I found the name Beale, also spelt Beall, and onne Beal. David

my paternal great grandads & grt grt grt Grandads were all called Nathaniel sometimes with different second christian names. I,ve found on family search that they have mixed up some of the Nathaniels & linked grandchildren as children to the wrong Nathaniel, So I cant correct it as havent the access to do so, But shows that their records arnt always correct. Shirley

> then I would take that as the true link 'Danger Will Robinson!' Spellings can be all over the place on civil registry certificates too. I have a number of instances of a series of civil registry certificates for the same indiviudal throughout their life where the name is spelt differently on just about every one. Cheers, Bill Sydney, Australia

Most Family Search info comes from either extractions from actual records or descendents. If it is an extraction - you can get the record it came from and check. Often times, baptisms included extra (middle) names from the birth certificate to make a godparent or other relative happy. Especially if there was some lapse of time between birth and baptism. If it is from a LDS member descendent than any number of 'family' forces may have played a part. (family legends, family bibles, etc) On the LDS site - ALWAYS check the source - extractions from official records will say so and can be checked for transcription accuracy. Parish clerks were also a problem ex. in Great Stanmore - before 1802 - children and parents from the same family could be entered as Peplo, Peploe, Pepler etc. After 1803, everyone was a Pepler. The clerk changed - not the families Marie www*tribalpages*com/tribes/pepler

Christopher Was the birth registered before the christening? It's quite possible he was registered and then given an extra name (maybe after a godparent) at his baptism. nell

yes there was a three year gap between birth and christening if they've got it correct, there is no middle name on his marriage certificate either.

The LDS site can really send you way off track, it did me when I started, I only use it as a starting point now and am very weary of family members submissions. Think newbies should be warned.

LDS site is a good starting point but you need to check everything out, i use it because it can save you time and money, Roy