LNAB spelling differs between generations. How do I choose?

Question

I have a spouse of a relative whose surname is Lanpher on most records. His father has a profile on Wikitree under Lampher. His paternal grandfather's profile (unconnected so far) reverts to Lanpher. How do I assign LNAB?

Answer 1

I generally agree with the other comments.  You don't say how old the records are, but if they are in cursive handwriting, the difference between an 'm' and an 'n' is just one little squiggle of a pen, which can happen accidentally if done in haste.  I'd suggest looking at the handwriting carefully, and also look at other records for the 'Lampher' case.  Is there a tombstone with inscription?  A Social Security record?

Comments

Definitely check any original documents, especially if they are in cursive. I try to make sure to check the documents, not just a transcription of the documents.  A lowercase “ell/l” can look like an “e” if it’s short. Capital “Fs” and “Ts” can be mixed up in cursive. Etc.

My husband has Tirrell-Tirrill-Terrill-Tyrrells in his tree. A lot of surnames change over time.

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I also agree.

In particular if the spelling difference makes it a unique name and get you a 777 warning. (Warning 777: Unique name in Last Name at Birth  (Difficulty: Intermediate))

The name difference could also make the profile hard to find. (I have a "Legault" that was baptised "Gault" !!!). In that case I would make sure both names are in the profile (using the Current or Other Last Name)

For other documents of the same period, baptism record of the siblings would be my first choice.

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Thanks for the star Christian.

Answer 2

The correct spelling should be what is on the birth certificate, other spellings can be placed in the other last names and explained in the biography.

https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Help:Name_Fields#Last_Name_at_Birth

Comments

Kevin is right in general, but an exception is when the informant or clerk made a spelling error. Whether or not this happened can be difficult to determine, and becomes a matter for careful judgement.

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If the "odd one out" spelling is the generation in the middle, I'd look to that one as being likely in error and would go hunting for documents to support that spelling in case the father used one version during his life, but reverted to his father's spelling for his son.

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spelling errors are a fairly modern convention, and one man's spelling error is another man's correct spelling.  Best to go with what is on the actual record for LNAB.  If during their life it was different, then use the different one in current last name box.  This is often how names evolve.

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Kevin is only quoting part of the WT rule :

(...) However, it may not be exactly what appears in a birth record if:

• There was a spelling mistake or error in the document, or if the family name was more commonly spelled in a different way at the time of the birth (see the spelling conventions section above).
• The person was adopted as an infant and they never used their birth name.

(...)

And again in Spelling_conventions

(...) In particular, the spelling that appears in a birth record (...) unless there are other documents from, at, or near the time of birth (...showing...) a more common or correct spelling. (...)

I guess that "Correct spelling" could have cultural interpretation.

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most definitely it has a cultural convention.  Spelling ''errors'' are fairly modern in concept, particularly in relation to names of persons.  Take the names Smith, Smythe, Schmidt... all variations on a theme, have seen one man's name go from Schmidt to Smith in this province, he was German in origin, settled here in late 1700s, the first few records had it Schmidt, then there was a change of priest in the parish and it became Smith in records.  He couldn't sign his name so obviously illiterate, didn't bring any corrections to the record.  The children eventually all got named Smith later in life.