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Sometimes an ancestor changed his name. Genealogy tips for dealing with name changes in your family tree and finding that ancestor.
When researching your family history, it’s not uncommon to hit a brick wall because an ancestor may have changed their name. Whether the change was for cultural, personal, or legal reasons, this can be a daunting challenge for genealogists.
But don’t worry—there are strategies you can use to overcome this obstacle.
Table of Contents
Why Would an Ancestor Change Their Name?
It happens. Ancestors DID change their names sometimes, and before diving into research, it’s helpful to understand why your ancestor might have changed their name.
Common reasons include:
- Immigration: Many immigrants altered their names to better fit into their new country.
- Avoidance of Debt or Legal Trouble: Some changed names to escape financial or legal issues.
- Personal Choice: A desire for a fresh start or to break away from family could lead to a name change. Another personal choice could be they did not like their name. (That was my ancestor!)
- Cultural Adaptation: Names might be changed to align with local customs or language.
Of course, maybe they wanted to just confuse future researchers! 🤭
Whatever the reason, changing a family surname from the early 1900’s back was really quite simple. One just started using their new name of choice. Researchers are not likely to find a formal record for that name change. It just wasn’t needed.
When this happens, researching ancestry by a last name becomes, well, complicated. What can you as a genealogy researcher do?!
You have some options. Just be prepared this is not a quick process and you will stretch your research muscles. That’s a good thing!
How can I tell if my ancestor changed their name?
Detecting whether your ancestor changed their name can be challenging, but there are several indicators that might suggest a name change has occurred. Here are some clues to watch for:
- Inconsistencies in Census Records: When reviewing census data across different years, pay attention to variations in your ancestor’s name, age, birthplace, or the names of family members. A sudden change in any of these details could indicate a name change.
- Variations in Vital Records: Birth, marriage, and death certificates are crucial documents in genealogy research. If you notice discrepancies in your ancestor’s name across these records, it could be a sign of a name change. For example, a birth certificate might list one name, while a marriage certificate might show a different name.
- Discrepancies in Legal Documents: Legal records, such as wills, land deeds, or court documents, may show different names for the same individual. If your ancestor appears under different names in various legal contexts, it’s worth investigating further.
- Missing Records for Known Events: If you know a particular event occurred, like a marriage or immigration, but cannot find the corresponding record under your ancestor’s known name, it may be due to a name change. Searching for variations or different names might uncover the missing documentation.
- Family Stories or Oral Histories: Sometimes, family lore can hint at a name change. If stories have been passed down about an ancestor changing their name, even if they seem vague or uncertain, it’s worth considering as a potential lead.
- Unusual Gaps in the Timeline: If there’s a gap in your ancestor’s timeline where they seemingly disappear from the records, they may have changed their name around that time. Investigating where they were living or significant events during that period might provide clues.
By carefully analyzing the records you have and looking for these types of inconsistencies, you can begin to piece together whether your ancestor may have changed their name and start exploring alternative names or spellings in your search.
3 Genealogy Research Strategies To Try If You Suspect Your Ancestor Changed His Name
Let’s take a close up look at William Henry Haley of Charlotte County, VA – my ancestor who changed his name.
(This is based on the research report I completed as part of the ProGen Study Group 11.)
Were William Henry Haley and George W. Haley the same man?
William Haley “disappeared” from the records prior to 1883. Despite hours of research, no evidence of William’s existence prior to 1833 could be found. Obviously, he was somewhere! Oral history and William’s earliest known record of existence were the starting point to re-construct William’s early life. [Note: William H Haley was my Great Great Grandfather.]
1.Oral History Can Hold Clues To An Ancestor Name Change
Oral history for William’s life after his 1883 marriage and until his death in the 1940’s is strong and abundant. At the time of this research project, many of William’s grandchildren were still living and passing on their knowledge of his life. Unfortunately, those mentioned in this post have since passed away.
Anita Carr Talbott and Percy Owen (grandchildren of William Haley) provided much of the oral history of William Haley. Both grandchildren knew William Haley personally well into their early adult years. Interestingly, neither knew with certainty the name of his parents. Percy reported that the Tribble family was “somehow related”, but he was unsure of the exact relationship.
Both descendants reported William (known as Will to family and friends) Haley lived all his life in Halifax and Charlotte Counties, VA. As a young man William worked on the Clarkton Plantation as a laborer and even married the overseer’s daughter Clara Holt. William went on to become the overseer of Clarkton Plantation after the death of his father-in-law Branch W. Holt. Both Haley grandchildren also reported that the Haley surname at times was spelled Hailey.
One last clue in the family’s oral history came from Dorothy Adams Haley, wife of William’s son Clyde. Dorothy reported that William Haley’s father was “Cas” (pronounced with a short “a” sound as in “cat”). Beyond that tiny clue, Dorothy did not know if Cas was a nickname or any more about him.
That’s okay. I’d take any clue and all clues!
2. Take the Genealogy Research Back to the Traditional Genealogy Records.
Seek out all sources of genealogy information. Do not skip any steps here. Always view the original document when possible. The extra effort is crucial. For example, you may already know your ancestor’s death date and location from another source, but get that death certificate anyway!
DEATH CERTIFICATE
William Haley died 4 March 1948 in Charlotte County, VA. From family present at his death and newspaper articles about his death, I knew his date of death and the circumstances surrounding his death. His death certificate was still sought!
That death certificate reveals his full name to be William Henry Haley and his birth date was 22 Dec 1861. His father is listed as Kays Haley and his mother as Ann Triple. Both were born in Halifax County, VA. The informant on the death certificate was George Nichols, son-in-law of William Haley. [George Nichols was the husband of William’s daughter Daisy Haley.]
Hmmm…. Kays Haley and Ann Triple. Yes, these are important clues! Keep reading.
One thing that is important to consider it the death certificate is considered a secondary resource. Was the informant someone who knew the deceased well? Would he have had accurate information on William’s parents? Use the information on death certificates as clues if the informant would not have had first hand knowledge of all generations.
THE MARRIAGE RECORD
An 1883 marriage registration record shows William H. Haley married Clara Holt in Halifax County, VA. This information would have been provided by William and Clara and is considered a strong source. The marriage registration record for this couple names William’s parents as S. C. and M. A. Haley. All parties were from Halifax County, VA. The discrepancy between William’s father name of Kays on the death certificate versus S. C. in the marriage registration continued to cause confusion.
Confirmation of William’s parents was needed to determine if George Haley and William Haley are indeed the same person.
CENSUS RECORDS
William was not born at the time of the 1860 census. No S.C. Haley is found in census for this time. There is a Stephen Hailey (age 21) living in the home of Jesse Hailey in the Northern District of Halifax County, VA. He was working as a farm laborer and is listed as being born in VA. No Triple family was found in the 1860 census record for this area. There is a Mary A [Ann] Tribble age 21 living in the home of Matthew and Mary Tribble in the Northern District of Halifax County.
Remember that Percy Haley stated the Tribble family was somehow related to the Haleys. I was on the trail!
In the 1870 census William Haley would have been 9 years old. No William Haley is found in the 1870 federal census matching the William Haley in question. There is a George Haley (Hailey) age 9 in the household of Stephen (age 28) and Mary (age 28) Hailey in Staunton Township of Halifax County, VA. Stephen and Mary are living next door to Matthew and Mary Tribble. This is the same Haley family enumerated in 1880 as the S. C. Haley family based on consistent neighbors in both census records. Neighbors in 1880 also included Mary Tribble, mother-in-law to Stephen Haley.
S. C. Haley is now determined to be Stephen C. Haley.
I was getting closer, but not there yet…..
William Haley (approximately age 18 or 19) is not found on the 1880 federal census of any state. George W Haley (age 18) is found to be living in the household of James F Guthrie in the Staunton District of Halifax County, VA. George W Haley is listed as a farm laborer on the Guthrie farm. The Guthrie household is number 31. The household of Stephen C. Haley is 194 in the same district. Neighbors of the Haleys again included Mary Tribble, mother of Mary A Haley. This is the first record to show Stephen or S. C. Haley as being Stephen C. Haley.
This 1880 census shows George Haley living out of the household of Stephen C. Hailey and working as a farm laborer on another farm. This census also gives George’s middle initial as W. Could George’s middle name have been William? George is also listed as the same age as William would be. Interestingly, both S. C. and M. A. Haley went by their middle names as did several of their children.
Could they have continued the tradition with their son George?
By the 1900 census George Haley no longer shows up in the census records. William Haley (age 38) is living in the Staunton District of Halifax County, VA with his wife Clara [Holt] Haley and 5 children. William’s age and occupation as farm laborer continue to match what George’s age and occupation would have been. Steven C Hailey and wife Mary A (both age 62) are living in the Staunton District as well.
This was still not enough to definitively state George Haley and William Haley were the same man, but I was on the way.
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3. Use County Heritage Books For Local Family Knowledge
Halifax County Virginia Heritage 1752-2007 lists Stephen C. Haley’s full name as being Stephen Caswell Haley. His nickname is listed as Kas or Cas. Stephen Caswell Haley was known as Cas, and Cas was the father of William Haley.
[The genealogy “happy dance” may have ensued at this revelation!]
This information was submitted by Haley family descendants of Stephen C. Haley through his son Robert Alexander Haley. While the entry provides no formal source citations for the facts stated, a note was added that records from the Halifax County courthouse and family stories were used. The family stories are secondary sources in nature and yet support the limited oral tradition from William Haley’s descendants regarding William’s father.
Were William H. Haley and George W. Haley the same person?
When traditional records are placed alongside the Haley family’s strong oral history, the evidence supports that they were. The “why” and “how” George became William may never be fully known. A legal proceeding was not required for a name change during that time period. Regardless of which name he chose to go by, William Haley and his wife Clara left a rich legacy of strong family bonds that continue among their many descendants today.
Your Take Away for Researching Ancestors Who Changed a Name
When you research your ancestors, keep these ideas in mind:
- Research into brick wall ancestors is not quick. There is usually no one record that will provide the answer you are seeking.
- When you exhaust traditional records, think outside of the box. What other types of information and records can you find and use. These include people, written histories, personal papers, etc.
- Never trust just one source of information.
Do you suspect an ancestor changed his name? Let me know in the comments!
I have done 2 DNA test for 2 different sites. Not one match has the same last name. I have no clue. My father didn’t look like the rest of his family. He was very dark, had black hair and blue eyes. The blue eyes were the only Irish part of him. Both tests show I have Spanish and Native American traits; not much but it shows on both. There are lots of surnames that show up that I have never heard. He was not close to his family. They didn’t talk to him. This makes it very difficult. I have no idea where to start.
My Great Grandfather seemed to have changed his last name. It’s so complicated, I can’t even begin to put it into words. Basically, he seemed to have been born with one surname, and it appears his father and mom didn’t marry. I have records that she did marry another man, whom listed my G.G on the 1800 Fed. Census with his last name, but at some point my GG appears to have switched back to his original surname. The 1800 Fed Census is the last known record I can find with his step-father’s last name as his own. After that, no records at all, not even on his step father’s later Fed Census records. His baptismal record also shows his father’s last name. It’s a crazy mess, although fun and challenging, attempting to sort this all out.
My GGM went by no less than 5 Surnames! I have her marriage certificate to my GGF which lists her parents as Charles Conklin and Jennie Carl. Now comes the fun part…she married to my GGF and became Verity. Her first born child was listed with her maiden name of Conklin. Her 2nd child was listed with her name as Ward. She appears to have used both. I have been told that her mother died when she was very young and she went to live with the Ward family. It appears she married at the age of 15, though I have many conflicting records of this. She and my GGF divorced after almost 30 years. She was very lonely and subsequently married a man named Blydenburgh (surname #4). He had given her name as Mary Marsden (5#). I have a history of the “Verity’s of Long Island” which states that her name was Marsden. I have never found any record of this, so I am assuming that it is incorrect. I sent a request for her death record to New York state, though I was sent the record for my GGF instead of hers. I would have to send a request for every surname in order to find out what name she actually died under. She is actually buried with my GGF and is listed as Mary E Verity. I think this search may be never ending! Any ideas?
Oh, yikes! That might be the most surnames for one person I’ve seen yet. You’ve done a fantastic job of researching her. I’m not sure what your next step should be yet. While I’m pondering her, hopefully, other readers will chime in.
I have searching this mysterious great grandfather of mine…for a while and before he arrived in the United States is a huge mystery! I have tried many different things and I has to be a similar issue of this nature name change of where he was born for sure he listed something different on each and every one of the census document, from what I have gotten from the previous report that my research person had done. And when they suddenly had a medical emergency and unable to continue I have continued. And I have had several other break thoughs in other areas of the family, unfortunately my father paternal grandfather no one clue has given me enough to break down the walls yet, I will continue with the advice above to see if it works?
My grandmother was unwed when she learned she was pregnant. To avoid a scandal she moved from northern MN to the Twin Cities. She changed her last name, and created a fictitious husband in the process. The year after my father was born, she is listed in the St. Paul city directory as a widow. She is also listed in her hometown city directory that same year under her new name, and showing her as a widow. After a couple of years she returned to the Twin Cities where she met the man who I knew as Grandpa. He passed away in the mid-1970s. In 1980 she married again. They were married 20 years before he passed away.
I had searched for my biological grandfather for 26 years using the information my grandmother had provided over the years. I kept running into brick walls at every turn. I finally decided to do DNA testing to see if I could find some biological relatives. That worked and the outcome just floored me. The kicker here? It turns out that my grandmother’s last husband was my father’s biological father!
No one in my family knew he was our biological grandfather until 2022 … 20 years after my grandmother passed away. Now that was one well-kept secret!