Genealogy Chat

I have been looking for the birth of a Fanny Ayers in Peterborough in 1824, who's father was called Thomas. Today found a birth at the records office for a Mary Ayers in 1824 with father Thomas, mother Mary. Is it possible that she changed her name to Fanny from Mary? Her name is noted as Fanny when she marries and on her childs birth cert??? Anyone know?? Thanks, Steph

Ive found this happen a few times in my tree. They seem to adopt what they were known as and not what they were born as. Just a little extra to keep us on our toes! Sheila

thanks, Sheila! I really don't know what 'Fanny' would be used for, other than a shortened version of Frances!!

i also seem to have this in my tree, I have a different birth name to the name on the marriage certificate. Does anyone know the legal position on this? Could you legally marry under a different name to the one you where registered under at birth? My relly was a humble miner and the first generation in his family that could even write, so I doubt he would have had the money or inclination to change his name legally. Also, as he married quite along way from his birth place- could he just have assumed that noone locally would know his real name anyway? Any thoughts???

Quite often some of the children were not baptised - it's an unjustified assumption to think that one who WAS baptised changed their name (in the absence of other evidence).

thanks, everyone! You are right Geoff, about making assumptions! I won't put in any info, until I am positive! Think I'll have to do more work! Steph :-)))

I believe that there are two ways you can change your name 1. by deed poll, involving solicitors and expense 2. by announcing that from now on you prefer to be called Tallulah (or whatever). As long as you use this name consistently I don't think there is any problem. It is possible Mary changed her name to Fanny or that her parents did so on her behalf. or perhaps she was Mary Frances and preferred her 2nd name? Or she was called Mary after her mother and then known as Fanny to differentiate her from her mum? I have instances in my family of people using their 2nd name in preference to their first, or alternating them depending on how they (or an official form-filler) felt about it at the time. Maddening, but there we are!

thanks, Helen. I had it in my head that perhaps her parents called her Fanny, to differentiate from her mother. And by the way, I think I'd now like to be called Tallulah!!! ;-)))