Prefix appropriate?

Question

I'm starting the bio for my wife's grandfather, born Alpha Patterson and listed by that name in the census records. He was an elected magistrate in Mercer County, Kentucky. He was called "Judge Patterson" by the community he served. Further, on his death certificate his NAME is listed as Judge Alpha Patterson, and this is is also what is on his gravestone.

I question whether "Judge" is an appropriate prefix for Alpha, so I'm seeking your input. Maybe I should just include that in the bio.

Death cert: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C9YK-89W5-N?i=2325&cc=1417491

Gravestone: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/71173838

Answer 1

Why don't you put it in as an 'Other Nickname'? Then it will look OK in the final output.

Comments

What she said.

---

Hahaha, tag-team answer! I love it!

---

Excellent idea. Will do!

---

I tried it for my gr-gr-grandfather ― after seeing this discussion ― and removed it again.  It looked weird between his names.  Instead of Judge [name] [name] (the way it always appeared in print in the newspapers), it shows as [name] "Judge" [name].

It's not a nickname.  It's a prefix.  But if it's not allowed as  prefix, I'd rather leave it off.  (And I ain't gonna get into the prefix vs nickname "discussion" again.  I'm not recovered from the last time.)

---

The thing is, it didn't appear in the newspapers as "Judge Alpha Patterson".  It appeared as "Judge Patterson".  By putting "Judge" in the Other Nicknames field, he will be Alpha "Judge" Patterson - closer to what he was called throughout his term.

---

For yours it seems to work, but my "the Judge" was more often referred to as Judge [name] [name].  (I think his son was Dr [initial] [name] or Dr [initial] [initial] [initial] [name].)

(Some ancestors can be a pain! )

---

I have just got to get a subscription!!! Thanks for the info, Ros. I put “Judge” in the nickname field.