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[[How to Guess Where to Start|How to Guess Where to Start]] [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]] [[Guessing_a_Name_Variation|Guessing a Name Variation]] <br> | [[How to Guess Where to Start|How to Guess Where to Start]] [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]] [[Guessing_a_Name_Variation|Guessing a Name Variation]] <br> | ||
[[Image:Question Dice.jpg|thumb|right | [[Image:Question Dice.jpg|thumb|right]]Twenty ways to find an elusive name including using competing indexes, initials, abbreviations, middle names, nicknames, IGI standardized names, translations, letter substitutes, finding relatives, and searching the record without an index. <br><br> | ||
Just because an ancestor always spelled his name the same way, that does '''NOT GUARANTEE''' it was always spelled that way by a clerk or by an indexer. If your first search fails to find an ancestor, consider the possibility the name is spelled differently than you expect. In fact, experienced genealogists worry their skills are slipping if they are not finding several documents with unexpected spellings of the name. <br> | Just because an ancestor always spelled his name the same way, that does '''NOT GUARANTEE''' it was always spelled that way by a clerk or by an indexer. If your first search fails to find an ancestor, consider the possibility the name is spelled differently than you expect. In fact, experienced genealogists worry their skills are slipping if they are not finding several documents with unexpected spellings of the name. <br> | ||
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== 20 ways to find an elusive name. == | == 20 ways to find an elusive name. == | ||
Here are some steps to help find names that seem to be missing from an index (or record):<ref>This List has been modified from G. David Dilts, “Guidelines for Finding Misplaced Names in Census Indexes” in the “Censuses and Tax Lists” chapter of Kory L. Meyerink, [http://www.worldcat.org/title/printed-sources-a-guide-to-published-genealogical-records/oclc/38206986&referer=brief_results ''Printed Sources: A Guide to Publish Genealogical Records''] (Salt Lake City: Ancestry, 1998), 339. [FHL Book 016.9293 P96m].</ref> | Here are some steps to help find names that seem to be missing from an index (or record):<ref>This List has been modified from G. David Dilts, “Guidelines for Finding Misplaced Names in Census Indexes” in the “Censuses and Tax Lists” chapter of Kory L. Meyerink, [http://www.worldcat.org/title/printed-sources-a-guide-to-published-genealogical-records/oclc/38206986&referer=brief_results ''Printed Sources: A Guide to Publish Genealogical Records''] (Salt Lake City: Ancestry, 1998), 339. [FHL Book 016.9293 P96m].</ref> | ||
=== Competing indexes. === | === Competing indexes. === | ||
Look for the elusive name in a competing index by another company, if one is available. For example, many United States federal censuses have more than one index. A list of online U.S. census indexes is on the Internet at [http://genealogy.about.com/od/us_census/a/US-Census-Records-Online.htm On Line United States Census Records] | Look for the elusive name in a competing index by another company, if one is available. For example, many United States federal censuses have more than one index. A list of online U.S. census indexes is on the Internet at [http://genealogy.about.com/od/us_census/a/US-Census-Records-Online.htm On Line United States Census Records] | ||
=== Neighboring entries === | === Neighboring entries === | ||
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=== Surname only search === | === Surname only search === | ||
in computer indexes. Sometimes it pays to search for the family surname in a specified state or county without a given name. Browse through the results list looking for your ancestor with an unexpected given name variation. Pay special attention to the shape of the name if letters are above or below the line but indexed incorrectly. For example, a capital B and R or lower case g and y could be misread. See the misread names chart below. | in computer indexes. Sometimes it pays to search for the family surname in a specified state or county without a given name. Browse through the results list looking for your ancestor with an unexpected given name variation. Pay special attention to the shape of the name if letters are above or below the line but indexed incorrectly. For example, a capital B and R or lower case g and y could be misread. See the misread names chart below. | ||
=== Given name only search === | === Given name only search === | ||
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=== International Genealogical Index (IGI) standardized surnames. === | === International Genealogical Index (IGI) standardized surnames. === | ||
Look for your ancestor in the [https://familysearch.org/search/collection/igi International Genealogical Index]. Notice the various "standardized" surname spellings grouped with your ancestor's surname to learn possible variations to use in '''''other''''' indexes and records. | Look for your ancestor in the [https://familysearch.org/search/collection/igi International Genealogical Index]. Notice the various "standardized" surname spellings grouped with your ancestor's surname to learn possible variations to use in '''''other''''' indexes and records. | ||
=== Translated immigrant surname. === | === Translated immigrant surname. === | ||
Some immigrants translate their surname into English. For example, ''Schneider'' means ''Tailor''. If your ancestor was born in a foreign-language speaking nation, look for him under '''''both''''' the English and foreign-language version of the surname. Use dictionaries (such as German-English) to find possible name translations. For lists of such dictionaries use the [https://familysearch.org/catalog-search FamilySearch Catalog '''Subject Search''' for "language]." | Some immigrants translate their surname into English. For example, ''Schneider'' means ''Tailor''. If your ancestor was born in a foreign-language speaking nation, look for him under '''''both''''' the English and foreign-language version of the surname. Use dictionaries (such as German-English) to find possible name translations. For lists of such dictionaries use the [https://familysearch.org/catalog-search FamilySearch Catalog '''Subject Search''' for "language]." | ||
=== Translated immigrant given name. === | === Translated immigrant given name. === | ||
Look for '''''both''''' foreign language and English versions of given names, for example, ''Andrew'' <nowiki>=</nowiki> ''Andreas''. Get help from the given name dictionary in 25 languages: Wanda Janowowa, et. al., ''[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/2376925&referer=brief_results Słownik Imion]'' (Wrocław [Poland]: Narodowy Imienia Ossolińskich Wydawnictwo, 1975.) [FHL INTL Reference 940 D4si; Fiche 6000839] | Look for '''''both''''' foreign language and English versions of given names, for example, ''Andrew'' <nowiki>=</nowiki> ''Andreas''. Get help from the given name dictionary in 25 languages: Wanda Janowowa, et. al., ''[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/2376925&referer=brief_results Słownik Imion]'' (Wrocław [Poland]: Narodowy Imienia Ossolińskich Wydawnictwo, 1975.) [FHL INTL Reference 940 D4si; Fiche 6000839] | ||
=== Vowels. === | === Vowels. === | ||
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=== Original record. === | === Original record. === | ||
If an ancestor is not found in an index where you expect, search the original record anyway. If searching a census or land record, look at every name in the county, and if necessary, neighboring counties to find the ancestor. | If an ancestor is not found in an index where you expect, search the original record anyway. If searching a census or land record, look at every name in the county, and if necessary, neighboring counties to find the ancestor. | ||
== Related Internet Site == | == Related Internet Site == | ||
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<references /> {{featured article}} | <references /> {{featured article}} | ||
{{H-langs|en=Guessing a Name Variation|es=Diferentes versiones de un mismo nombre}} | {{H-langs|en=Guessing a Name Variation|es=Diferentes versiones de un mismo nombre|pt=Supor uma Variação de Nome}} | ||
[[Category:Beginners]] | [[Category:Beginners]] | ||