Martin, Like Lainee I enter surnames as they were spelt when registered or recorded no matter what the correct spelling should be. In my mind if a clark miss spells or transcribes a name in a record it than becomes the correct title for the person being recorded. Some people never seem to get their name spelt the same twice! For such people it's a good idea to make notes as to where and what record you found the name spelling change. I have an ancestors marriage certificate where the Minister spells the grooms surname three different ways on the same certificate! I also have a German MAY ancestor who's surname I have found spelt 26 different ways. YES 26 ways. If that can happen with a simple name like MAY what fun we're all going to have with our longer names :-( Beryl

Hi Beryl >>In my mind if a clark miss spells or transcribes a name in a record it than becomes the correct title for the person being recorded. Or even a clerk ;-) Good illustration of how names get spelled incorrectly. Jon Baker -----Original Message----- From: Beryl [mailto:unjera@swiftdsl.com.au] Sent: 13 March 2004 10:06 To: ISLE-OF-WIGHT-L@rootsweb.com Subject: [IoW] Advice with a problem PLEASE Martin, Like Lainee I enter surnames as they were spelt when registered or recorded no matter what the correct spelling should be. In my mind if a clark miss spells or transcribes a name in a record it than becomes the correct title for the person being recorded. Some people never seem to get their name spelt the same twice! For such people it's a good idea to make notes as to where and what record you found the name spelling change. I have an ancestors marriage certificate where the Minister spells the grooms surname three different ways on the same certificate! I also have a German MAY ancestor who's surname I have found spelt 26 different ways. YES 26 ways. If that can happen with a simple name like MAY what fun we're all going to have with our longer names :-( Beryl ______________________________