Which one name study?

Question

My Great Grandfather had issues at home and did not want the family name. He changed it as soon as he could and his descendants all were born with the new last name. Would they belong in the first name study, or the name he changed it to, or both?

Answer 1

I would assume the name he changed it to. I have that anomaly in my tree that appears to be a brick wall, without a little explaining and sourcing.

In another case, I'm only a Smith because my dad was. There is some dispute that my 5th great grandpa may have been base born and given the Smith name. At some point, I think your gr grandfather's name would be associated to his father's surname, probably to his disliking.

Answer 2

Just a thought Lisa, which might work.

Movies stars change their names.  When we profile them we use their Birth Name.  Then there is the field for current last name and then the field for other last names.  

So Movie actor John Wayne would be profiled as Marion Mitchell Morrison, with current last name as Wayne. 

If you were to put him in a Name Study, I think I would want him in with the Morrison names. I would want to see how all the Morrison family might relate to him.

Good question

Answer 3

My grandfather was taken in by the Conroy family when he was 3 years old, after his parents died. His birth name was Plaisted, he was given and used Conroy all his life, no legal adoption records can be found. He had 3 sisters who were taken in by another family and kept the Plaisted name. I consider to be a member of the Conroy family but also a member of the Plaisted family and work on the Plaisted One Name Study.  Working on the Conroy ONS would not be very helpful for me.