Gerri M, I have a tendency to give weight to the marriage record. But some ancestors clearly changed their name.
I have a Maria Joaquina/de Jesus/Julia. All 3 of her middle names are off of the marriage, her death and all her kids' baptisms. I made a check sheet and each name appeared 3 times and one of them appeared 4 times. Since I can't figure her out, I list her as Maria Joaquina/de Jesus/Julia. My Francisco de Mello Barboza was a clear case. He was Francisco de Mello at marriage and a couple of kids' baptisms. But then he became Francisco de Mello Barboza at one baptism and was that the rest of his kids' baptisms and at his death. He had an uncle Francisco de Mello, a cousin Francisco de Mello, and a nephew Francisco de Mello. To differentiate himself, he used his maternal grandmother's name and added it on (compounded surname). And he was consistent. Since I feel he wanted to be known as Francisco de Mello Barboza, that's how I have him in my genealogy program. So there's no real rule! Not helpful, I know. Cheri Mello Listowner, Azores-Gen Researching: Vila Franca, Ponta Garca, Ribeira Quente, Ribeira das Tainhas, Achada -- For options, such as changing to List, Digest, Abridged, or No Mail (vacation) mode, log into your Google account and visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/Azores. Click in the blue area on the right that says "Join this group" and it will take you to "Edit my membership." --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Azores Genealogy" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to azores+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To post to this group, send email to azores@googlegroups.com. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/azores?hl=en.
