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How to notate missing first name

Posted: 13 Feb 2020 16:15
by USMC7312
For last names that are missing we use "//", do we have a similar symbol/notation for missing first names?

Re: How to notate missing first name

Posted: 13 Feb 2020 16:32
by davidf
If you have no first names but you have a last name say Rees-Smogg, if you enter

Code: Select all

 /Rees-Smogg/
that will appear as a last name without first names

Re: How to notate missing first name

Posted: 13 Feb 2020 16:44
by LornaCraig
In Tools>Preferences>Property Box you can choose to Show Surnames Between Slashes either Only When Necessary or Always. With the first option the slashes round the surname are normally hidden but if there is no first name they are displayed in the Property Box for clarity.

Re: How to notate missing first name

Posted: 13 Feb 2020 17:11
by dewilkinson
I must confess that I enter unknown full names as Unknown /Surname/ or Firstname /Unknown/. This works well for me and enables easy output from queries and ordering in lists. I'm not aware on any downsides to this approach. Down to personal preference.

Re: How to notate missing first name

Posted: 13 Feb 2020 17:42
by Peter Collier
Just for the avoidance of any doubt whatsoever I tend to use five underscores rather than any abbreviation or word:

_____ /surname/,

What I enter for surnames would depend on whether I would expect there to be a surname but I dont know it, or whether I know for sure that there isn't one:

firstname /_____/, or firstname //.

People in my tree who I know don't have surnames are some early Dutch settlers of New York (they used a patronymic system then, like Icelanders still do), and some of my wife's noble ancestors (I come from much more, erm, 'robust' stock!).

If this is just for your own use I think the best solution is, as always, "whatever works for you as long as you're consistent".

Re: How to notate missing first name

Posted: 13 Feb 2020 23:52
by BillH
I enter unknown names in one of these forms depending on what part I don't know.

? /Smith/
John /?/
? /?/

Bill

Re: How to notate missing first name

Posted: 14 Feb 2020 07:12
by johnmorrisoniom
I Use [] for missing first name and for unknown maiden name I use married name in square brackets ie [Smith]

John

Re: How to notate missing first name

Posted: 14 Feb 2020 07:15
by Valkrider
johnmorrisoniom wrote: 14 Feb 2020 07:12 I Use [] for missing first name and for unknown maiden name I use married name in square brackets ie [Smith]

John
I do it this way too.

Whatever works best for you no right or wrong way.

Re: How to notate missing first name

Posted: 14 Feb 2020 08:34
by David2416
:( ww
johnmorrisoniom wrote: 14 Feb 2020 07:12 I Use [] for missing first name and for unknown maiden name I use married name in square brackets ie [Smith]

John
I also do this. For example [] /[]/ for someone redacted in the 39 register. Context is given by the source citation