I have a couple of queries regarding name changes that I haven’t had to encounter before, and would like to ask for some pointers on how to address them, either if there is a definitve way of doing so, or, if not, what others may have done. I’ve had a quick search on discourse and in the online help, but haven’t found much.
Both questions relate to UK individuals
- How do I record a name change via deed poll, and also so it shows up for that person if I build a tree/chart. I believe the deed poll is a change to first names, not surname but I’m waiting for confirmation.
- I have a marriage of another couple in the same family where the husband has taken the wife’s name on marriage. When adding children to a family, the default for the children is the male’s surname. However, the children in this marriage take what is effectively the mother’s name.
I’ve had a look in the Name Editor and can’t easily find the solution.
What is the best way to address these two in gramps. Any pointers, examples, references, advice would be appreciated.
TIA
GRAMPS: AIO64-5.2.3-r1-aa03f5a
Python: 3.11.9
BSDDB: 6.2.9 (6, 0, 30)
sqlite: 3.46.0 (2.6.0)
LANG: en_GB.UTF-8
OS: Windows
A person can have more than one name. The names are added in the person’s Names tab.
You can give a person their Birth Name, usually the Preferred name but they can have a Legal Name as you encountered. While the norm is that a women will have a Married Name there is nothing that says a man cannot have one. A man is not born John Smith, Sr. These names I put in as Also Known As. Same for a person’s Title. The Legal Name and Title are two of my custom entries.
In the Name Editor, you can give any of these names date information as well as notes and citations.
Once you have a list of names, you can move any of them into the Preferred name slot. Select the name, right-click, Set as Default name.
Reports and surname guessing use the name that is slotted as the Preferred name. In the case of surname guessing, the father’s Married Name would need to be slotted as Preferred.
Was a bit confused by the Deed Poll reference.
Perplexity clarified :
In the U.S., there is no direct equivalent to the UK’s “deed poll” for name changes.
Instead, individuals typically petition a court for a legal name change. This process involves filing paperwork, paying a fee, and sometimes attending a hearing. Once approved, the court order serves as proof of the name change and can be used to update official documents like passports and driver’s licenses.
The more official term for a “legal name change” petition in U.S. courts is typically “Petition for Change of Name” or “Name Change Petition”[1][2][3]. The process is handled at the state level, usually in a local court such as a county court, probate court, or family court, depending on the state and jurisdiction[1][2][4]. It is not a federal matter unless tied to specific processes like naturalization[5].
Citations:
[1] Name Change | Maryland Courts
[2] https://www.mass.gov/info-details/how-do-i-file-a-change-of-name-for-an-adult
[3] https://www.nycourts.gov/legacyPDFs/courts/6jd/forms/SRForms/name_change-adultproced.pdf
[4] Name Changes | Vermont Judiciary
[5] How can I get a copy of my name change petition? | Eastern District of Wisconsin | United States District Court
[6] https://www.mass.gov/name-changes
[7] Forms
[8] https://www.nycourts.gov/courthelp/namechange/basics.shtml
Answer from Perplexity: https://www.perplexity.ai/search/what-is-the-us-equivalent-to-a-F7M1XPPgQaSQ5rWxbDwR5A?utm_source=copy_output