Question

When doing searches for records (and in general), is it best to use the given name or the name they went by in life?

Answer 1

The birth name would be William, the middle name would be Robert and the preferred name would be Robert

Comments

Thank you!

---

I can not say for all sites but when using familysearch.org if you put William Robert in the first name field and Cole in the last name field it will show all records for either first name and variations of them in the results.

---

Good deal, cuz they don't often ask for preferred name.  Of course I can try it both ways.  But I wondered what way would produce the best result. 

Thanx 

 

 

Answer 2

Both. Different records will very such as William, Wm., Bill, Billy.

Comments

In this case his given name was William Robert Cole.  He went by Robert W. Cole.  Most likely because his fathers name was also William.  Can't find birth record 1800's Tennessee.

Thank you

 

---

Mary, Tennessee was pretty much a wilderness in 1800. Birth records don't start to appear until about 1880, and then they are scarce. Statewide registration didn't begin until 1914. The only way you're going to find a birth date is if he has a tombstone with it written on it, or if somewhere there is an old family Bible. Or depending on when he died it might be on his death record.

---

Got it.  

Thank you!