We run into modern differences from what some traditional religious or governmental records had. And thus what the genealogy programs will tend to allow. Here is the suggested way to handle them that we found has worked here.
In general, we try to represent the information and facts as of the birth of the individual. This applies to name(s), gender, date and maybe place of birth. We then add alternate facts for the alternate forms found. There may have to be exceptions; as indicated below.
Sometimes, due to database limitations, we may have to alter this policy. MyHeritage uses the surname at death as the one to display. Most others use the primary surname specified.
Most Western European cultures assign a surname to a child based on the father. And one to a wife based on the spouse. But not all took that on or followed that convention. Especially in other cultures (Hispanic community, India, etc).We follow the convention of most programs of using the surname at birth. And to list others as alternates. Even if known most of their life by something else. All forms, if entered as alternates or with other facts (like marriage) should be searchable. But trees will indicate the birth name. Note that MyHeritage chooses the name at death (or latest name change) but allows the others to be specified.
Adoptions done in the court are a very recent (last 100 years) type of activity. Or the father may not have been specified to an unmarried mother. As possible, we will use the surname assigned at birth as the primary surname. If the biological father is discovered or indicated
Many went their whole life by a nickname. And may have only been known by that. Even though some / all records indicate differently. I did a real disservice to my mother. All her records since marriage were as "Betty Ann". Her birth certificate is Elizabeth Ann. So I indicated the latter on the Death Certificate. (But was able to get them to add "Betty" as an alternate.) Not sure how, but even her passport is as Betty Ann. So I really should have her everywhere as Betty Ann. And her mother as Betty who was born Elizabeta. If the database does not allow a nickname field, then the convention is to use quoted nickname in the given name field after the birth name.
Note that even formal records can get you in trouble with this. My mother registered me with the Social Security administration as Randy when I was 2 and got a card. All these years, it was never an issue of having W2's, etc. as Randolph with that same number. But when I went to get my "gold star" state drivers license, they discovered the discrepancy and kicked it back. This required me to go into the Social Security office and get them to formally change and reissue a card in the name Randolph.
This is an issue even 100 or more years ago. Although most would not identify it as a family. Simply cohabitating. As most laws made it illegal. But when they owned a house together, are buried together and maybe even raised kids as together then we want to capture and use the family structure; even if no legal paperwork to allow for it. This is considered no different than a (young) child being taken in and simply assuming the surname of a step-father instead of the biological father or possibly mothers surname.
Most genealogical database programs do not allow identify the two family heads as being the same sex. But we want to identify them as a family group. So, to aid this, we make one of the members as a "birth" gender needed to create the marriage record. And then add an alternate fact of the other gender; providing notes to indicate this all.
Similar to the above, we go with the convention of the facts at birth. And not what may have existed or been known most of the lifetime of the individual. This is especially important as DNA records get added and propagated into genealogical databases.
Most databases seem to allow alternate names and even gender. So specify the primary facts at birth and the others as alternate.
In general, we try to represent the information and facts as of the birth of the individual. This applies to name(s), gender, date and maybe place of birth. We then add alternate facts for the alternate forms found. There may have to be exceptions; as indicated below.
Sometimes, due to database limitations, we may have to alter this policy. MyHeritage uses the surname at death as the one to display. Most others use the primary surname specified.
Surname for Married Women
Most Western European cultures assign a surname to a child based on the father. And one to a wife based on the spouse. But not all took that on or followed that convention. Especially in other cultures (Hispanic community, India, etc).We follow the convention of most programs of using the surname at birth. And to list others as alternates. Even if known most of their life by something else. All forms, if entered as alternates or with other facts (like marriage) should be searchable. But trees will indicate the birth name. Note that MyHeritage chooses the name at death (or latest name change) but allows the others to be specified.
Surnames for children with unofficial adoptions or unspecified fathers
Adoptions done in the court are a very recent (last 100 years) type of activity. Or the father may not have been specified to an unmarried mother. As possible, we will use the surname assigned at birth as the primary surname. If the biological father is discovered or indicated
Nicknames
Many went their whole life by a nickname. And may have only been known by that. Even though some / all records indicate differently. I did a real disservice to my mother. All her records since marriage were as "Betty Ann". Her birth certificate is Elizabeth Ann. So I indicated the latter on the Death Certificate. (But was able to get them to add "Betty" as an alternate.) Not sure how, but even her passport is as Betty Ann. So I really should have her everywhere as Betty Ann. And her mother as Betty who was born Elizabeta. If the database does not allow a nickname field, then the convention is to use quoted nickname in the given name field after the birth name.
Note that even formal records can get you in trouble with this. My mother registered me with the Social Security administration as Randy when I was 2 and got a card. All these years, it was never an issue of having W2's, etc. as Randolph with that same number. But when I went to get my "gold star" state drivers license, they discovered the discrepancy and kicked it back. This required me to go into the Social Security office and get them to formally change and reissue a card in the name Randolph.
Same Sex Marriages
This is an issue even 100 or more years ago. Although most would not identify it as a family. Simply cohabitating. As most laws made it illegal. But when they owned a house together, are buried together and maybe even raised kids as together then we want to capture and use the family structure; even if no legal paperwork to allow for it. This is considered no different than a (young) child being taken in and simply assuming the surname of a step-father instead of the biological father or possibly mothers surname.
Most genealogical database programs do not allow identify the two family heads as being the same sex. But we want to identify them as a family group. So, to aid this, we make one of the members as a "birth" gender needed to create the marriage record. And then add an alternate fact of the other gender; providing notes to indicate this all.
Gender Transitioned / Identity
Similar to the above, we go with the convention of the facts at birth. And not what may have existed or been known most of the lifetime of the individual. This is especially important as DNA records get added and propagated into genealogical databases.
Most databases seem to allow alternate names and even gender. So specify the primary facts at birth and the others as alternate.