This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Smith, Schmidt, Thomas Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/an/JW.2ADI/820.2.1.1.1.3 Message Board Post: I agree that "Lena" is the nickname for Magdalena, but... In the 1880 census, she is Lina SMITH. In the 1900 census, she is Madelane SMITH. In the 1910 census, she is Madeline THOMAS. In the 1920 census, she is Madline THOMAS. In the 1930 census, she is Madeline THOMAS. In the California Death Index, she is Madeline THOMAS. So, I should ignore six primary records in favor of one secondary source? P.S. Madeline is a French spelling of Magdalene, just as SMITH is an Anglicized spelling of SCHMIDT. You may find this page at my web site helpful: http://dgmweb.net/genealogy/Ancillary/OnE/Spelling.shtml