Prefixes again

Question

I refer to

http://www.wikitree.com/g2g/31560/should-prefixes-knights-baronets-appear-headlines-contexts

Contributors Clark-8890

Wilkie- 1438

and McLean-1022

commence their ancestors first names with Mr or more bizzarely Mrs.

I only do that for Rev, Sir, Dr, Prof etc.

What is the answer to my recurring question?

Comments

I believe it's pretty well up to the manager.  I feel that less is better, as you seem to. An earned title is OK,  if we post every Mr, Mrs, Miss, Master, etc that applies, we'll use up server space.

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I've seen that "Mr." was/is relevant to colonial New England profiles-- the title distinguishes them as "gentlemen" -- a status that had meaning then.

Personally, for currently living individuals, I see no value in the use of such prefixes.

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and I believe the answer to your recurring question is here:

http://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Name_Fields_for_European_Aristocrats#Prefix

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not really.

i would like that page of examples completed.

and prefixes used or deleted.

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Sir William,

I concur with you that the prefix and name field help text could be better; I would like to see it do a better job of explaining the different display results. 

In the meantime, prefixes are used. As has been explained many times (but is not yet made clear in the referenced help text), prefixes are displayed differently depending on the context. They are not displayed on the profile page header but they are displayed on the subsequent line of the person's name.  As Chris W. has already explained, much discussion went into the resulting display options. And I see no evidence it's likely to change. 

Because you have chosen to disregard wikitree conventions for use of the first name field by placing your title there and because you've also placed "Sir" in the prefix field, your own profile page currently displays your name as "Sir Sir William Arbuthnot" which frankly looks pretty silly and not at all in alignment with the respect your title seeks to convey and receive. I think you do yourself and your title, sir, a disservice by continuing to press this issue.  

As for the use of Mr and Mrs, I think we are not going to achieve consensus on that one. Just as you may feel strongly about the use of Sir, others feel strongly about conveying respect through the use of Mr and Mrs for both the living and the dead.  My own opinion is that if a title helps distinguish different people by the same name or conveys historically significant information, then fine.  But I don't think either you or I are going to "win" our arguments on this topic.  I choose to focus my energies elsewhere.  

With all due respect,

Jillaine

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Dear red flagger,

I am still newish here, so this is an honest question. I am curious why you deemed Jilliane's response "spam or inappropriate" with a red flag. I don't understand what the red flag does. Why did you choose to use a red flag rather than a thumbs down?  Thanks for any clarification.  

OK, I see that you couldn't mark her response with a thumbs down.  Is that why? Kitty

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I agree and have eliminated the preffix.

Answer 1

Michael R. Lechner

Mr. Michael Ray "Mike" Lechner

Mr. a title given to Chief Warrant Officers in the U.S. Army.

 

Mr Richard Warren

Pronounced Master

Documented Mr. Richard Warren

I see no problem with current placement, larger field would be nice in some cases.

My title was during and for military purposes only. I have since resigned my commision and prefer Mike or Michael  when being addressed.  See also Mathew 23:8

Answer 2

I agree with Tom. Less is better when it comes to salutations.  Mr. or Mrs, is irrellavant (sp) as the status of the woman would show if there is data for a marriage.  I can see the logic of addressing someone by their title, because it would show respect for their profession or role in life.

M.

Comments

There are some exceptions, see separate answer.

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Also note that a woman's marital status does not directly translate to a certain prefix. (Eg. see the Ms. on my profile, which won't change after my wedding.)

That said, I don't include prefixes on my other profiles, just my own. I agree that there's little point in including them when they don't represent some formal title.

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Mr. L., even though you are out of the service, and given up your commission, you would still be addressed as CWO Lechner.  That is signified as rank and is a title.

My husband was a E-7 in the Marine Corp.  He was still called Gunny even though he had retired.

the term MR. is a salutation.  It has exceptions.  Consider the early mormons.  A man who has several wives was still called Mister. Mister is neither single or plural.

Respectfully,

M.

(more to come.)

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Lianne,

Ms...can mean your marital staus is married or you wish to stay independent by using the term of Ms.  

Miss is the single term of being single or widowed or divorced.  I haven't heard that term  Ms. since the late 60's or into the 70's.  There's nothing wrong with it or what it means..

I applaud you on your accomplishments.

Sincerely,

M.

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M: Ms. doesn't mean that you're married; it's supposed to be like Mr., in that it doesn't imply anything about marital status. It can be used by a woman of any age or marital status. Ms. is also the default nowadays when you don't know what prefix a woman prefers; it's a safer guess than Miss or Mrs., both of which can offend. (See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ms.#Usage)

Answer 3

Think prefix in this context is relevant when it clearly helps to identify a person. Otherwise not.