I generally will use the most-frequent or most-common spelling when referring to the person in general, but when referring to a record, I will use that spelling, in quotation marks. Citations always use the spelling on the record. Alternatively if there is a standardized spelling I will use that. For example, in a recent case, my client's grandmother's maiden name was "Pinder." The records actually use the spelling "Penders" most often before say 1935. After then, the "Pinder" spelling is used almost exclusively. I used the standardized spelling "Pinder" for the genealogical summaries and for the narrative, but put "(alt. Penders)" after the first use, and then put the actual spelling used in quotation marks when discussing specific actions directly from specific records. Michael Hait, CG(sm) michael.hait@hotmail.com http://www.haitfamilyresearch.com "Planting the Seeds" Blog: http://michaelhait.wordpress.com CG and Certified Genealogist are service marks of the Board for Certification of Genealogists, used under license by board certificants after periodic competency evaluation, and the board name is registered in the US Patent & Trademark Office. -----Original Message----- From: Elizabeth Banas Sent: Sunday, October 21, 2012 9:54 AM To: Transitional genealogists forum Subject: [TGF] Name variants Good morning! When I submitted a report for the NGS American Genealogy: Home Study Course in which I referred to a surname as you have suggested, I was called out by the person who graded the report. I was told to refer to the name in all variant forms, separated by a forward slash (solidus) throughout the document. There are so many differing opinions on these issues, it is confusing. I referred to Professional Genealogy. Name variants are not covered. Elizabeth Banas The Transitional Genealogists List was created to provide a supportive environment for genealogists to learn best practices as they transition to professional level work. Please respect the kind intentions of this list. ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to TRANSITIONAL-GENEALOGISTS-FORUM-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message

I do the same as Michael stated. The only slight addition I would make is that if I have copies of an original signature (and they are consistent) I would use that as the "standard spelling" for **that** individual when referring to them, even if there are "more" records under a different spelling as written by clerks. Of course there are exceptions to everything. One that comes to mind is a German immigrant who signed his name with one spelling, but appeared in all American records under a different spelling. An example is an ancestor Henrich Weidemann (as signed) who was Henry Wideman in all American records. I would start the discussion of him with that while he appeared in all American records as Henry Wideman, he consistently signed his name as Henrich Weidemann, and then use Henry Wideman as the "standard" spelling. Rick Saunders -----Original Message----- From: Michael Hait Sent: Sunday, October 21, 2012 8:05 AM To: Elizabeth Banas; Transitional genealogists forum Subject: Re: [TGF] Name variants I generally will use the most-frequent or most-common spelling when referring to the person in general, but when referring to a record, I will use that spelling, in quotation marks. Citations always use the spelling on the record. Alternatively if there is a standardized spelling I will use that. <snip>