Patricia Salter wrote: >Hi list >I know someone has answered this question before on one of my lists but I've lost the email - can someone explain what "alias" denotes when used in a name ie Joan Smyth alias Fowler - Is Smyth the original surname and Fowler the married name or vice versa? > An alias is another name a person is known by, not their married name. Sometimes it's done to disguise a person's true identity for nefarious purposes, but more often not. Legally, you can go by any name you like, but you can only sign legal documents in your legally registered name. Lila. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * An Fhirinne in aghaidh an tSaoil - The Truth Against the World