* Multiple nicknames

[AdrianBruce]

This isn't exactly a hot topic with me, since clear evidence of nicknames can be quite difficult to find, but it nags at me every so often...

How do people record multiple nicknames?

For instance, a theoretical Robert Miller might be known in the family as Bob, but to workmates as Dusty. The Primary Name is clearly "Robert Miller" but GEDCOM and / or FH only allows one Nickname item per Primary (or Secondary) Name.

I have contemplated adding a Nickname item of "Bob or Dusty" and given the few places that Nicknames appear (in my charts and as a modification to the Birth event) I suspect this would work. But has anyone got any better ideas? (Bearing in mind that I really wouldn't want to have multiple Secondary Names of "Robert Miller".)

[mjashby]

Adrian,

Two options I've used, depending on circumstances:

- Nickname: 'Bob' or 'Dusty'

OR

- Primary Name plus Nickname: 'Bob'
- Alternative Name [same as Primary] plus Nickname: 'Dusty'

Second option allows sources or explanatory notes to be attached to each entry. i also use this option if attaching 'Prefixes/Titles' or 'Qualifications/Suffixes' gained later in life which don't change the actual name.


Mervyn

[KFN]

I avoid the GEDCOM NICK tag all together and enter the name as a new NAME tag with a NAME .TYPE of nickname.

1 NAME Dusty /Miller/
2 TYPE nickname

[BillH]

I use the Nickname field in hte Names dialog and just separate them with commas. For display purposes I display them like this.

William Robert "Bill, Will" Henshaw

[AdrianBruce]

... enter the name as a new NAME tag with a NAME .TYPE of nickname. ...

Oh how very interesting, thank you!

I had totally missed the introduction of the TYPE tag as a subsidiary of NAME. Checking my documents (and thereby proving why I still need my copy of GEDCOM 5.5!), the TYPE <NAME_TYPE> tag in question came in with GEDCOM 5.5.1. The NICK tag is still there, but it's now listed as one of the series of PERSONAL_NAME_PIECES.

The 5.5.1 Standard lists various types for NAME_TYPE, finishing with a user defined type to allow entry of anything else. FH v7 misses a trick or two. Firstly, the NAME_TYPE can only be entered through the All tab - though it's hardly unique in that. Secondly, if it is entered there, there is a drop-down list, which covers the types written out explicitly in the 5.5.1 standard but omits the possibility of a user defined value. I was, however, able to enter "Nickname" in that notionally drop-down list, click to one side and it's been stored. (I have an idea there's a name for the sort of control where you can either use a value from a drop-down list or enter one yourself, but (a) I've forgotten the name and (b) it's not exactly obvious that can be done.)

Entering the nickname as a new NAME with a type of Nickname would then allow sources to be cited against that entry as Mervyn valuably points out for his suggestion. I suspect that there's probably some sort of dividing line between simple nicknames like Bob for Robert and the more obscure ones like "Blaster Bates" (though arguably that was a stage name, which ought to be a user defined type) that merit their own, distinct sources.

Food for thought...

[Gowermick]

I often wonder how future genealogist would get on with my ‘other’ names. Obviously there’s Mick, Mike and Michael, but due to a conflict with another Mick at work ( in BT tower), I jokingly suggested they use Monty, which is what I was known by at local youth club, (one of my mates reckoned I looked like the real Monty!), and the name stuck. Even 60 years later, some people from that time only knew me as Monty, and are surprised I have a real name

[KFN]

Obviously my suggestion changes a little if GEDCOM v7.0 get implemented.

1 NAME Dusty /Miller/
2 TYPE OTHER
3 PHRASE NICKNAME