I'm new to genealogy. Something I'm puzzled about is why some change the spelling of their surnames. For instance, my family spells their surname both Cravener and Cravenor. I have a copy of a Brink family tree produced in 1984. It lists my ggrandfather as spelling his name Cravenor. His sons then split, some keeping the spelling Cravenor, while others change to Cravener. Is there a general consensus or axiom regarding the reasons this happens? TIA Arthur Cravener (ex-Kittanningite) ps I'd like to thank some of the list members here for assisting with my family research. Eliizabeth Caporali in particular who has shown she truly does Practice Random Acts of Kindness.