Genealogy Chat

I have received my first birth cert today and have confirmed the maiden name of my GG grandmother. However, I have a wee problem, she seems to want to alternate between her first name and middle name - sometimes shes called Esther Elizabeth and others she is Elizabeth Esther - great huh??!! So... which line do I go down when looking for her?? There are a few of both of those names that would fit with the age and place of her birth..... Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated, Ju xxx

Just keep an open mind, one of mine had three names... Esther Evelyn Christian, she ended up calling herself Christine! So there is no definitive answer here I'm afraid Sam

I have the same trouble in my family I have a marriage certificate for william harold and a death certificate for harold william but they are the same man. I think you just have to pencil them in under one combination and a note that they sometimes switch the names around. When searching for BMD indeces and censi records just try both combinations. avoide searching for her if you can in a census and use the husband and children instead if you can.

thanks for the suggestions, guess i'll have to give all the options a go!! xxxx

Do you have her father's name from her marriage certificate? I believe you can ask for a birth certificate to be sent with a given name for the father. It may cost a little more initially but save in the long run. Hopefully someone here can tell you more about this.

If you order from the GRO online it costs £7. If you put in a checking point, father's name etc. and the details don't match they will refund you £3.

Am I right in thinking that you know which way round those 2 names are supposed to be? But she alternated the way she chose to call herself? i.e sometimes Esther, sometimes Elizabeth? If that's the case then your guess is as good as ours I suppose Sam