Readers please note that I've changed the names given by this reader due to a need for privacy.
Q: I'm looking at some information on the Internet that was added to a genealogy database by someone else, someone I don't know. This concerns my great-great grandmother in Arkansas. My great-great grandmother is listed as Mary Johnson, Formerly Marie Smith. Someone else posted Mary Johnson was Formerly Marie Walker. What does this mean?
Thanks,
Alice
A: Hello Alice.
I find the way that information was posted as a bit strange - and confusing - as if the postings came from stories or rumors rather than genealogy research. "Formerly" could mean this was a previous surname or previous married name. And as you found the same woman also listed by someone else as "Formerly" with yet another surname, it could be that your great-great grandmother was married twice. Also this could indicate an informal or formal name change. Or an adoption.
Let's go over this:
First, we cannot believe everything that is posted on the Internet or on databases that offer individuals to post their research (or family stories or rumors), especially when no documents are attached, especially because I see these errors uploaded to multiple genealogy sites.
Secondly, the history of name changes in Arkansas is that informal (common law) name changes were recognized for some time, even when the process of legal (court ordered) name changes was introduced in 1851. In other words, she could have changed her name because she wanted to, without being married, widowed, or divorced, and without a legal proceeding.
So, I would suggest that you try to get a birth certificate or church record of her birth/baptism and see what it says. I would also suggest you try to get a death certificate or cemetery/funeral home document. And of course, any evidence of her marriage or marriages through marriage certificates. I trust you have traced her back as far as you can go with census records as well.
1830 is the first Federal Census for that state and you can also check the State Census' which were done in 1823,1829.1865, and 1911.
There are better ways to indicate that a woman is being listed by her maiden name.
Instead of the word "formerly"
Marie "Mary" Johnson née Marie Smith
Marie "Mary" Johnson born Marie Smith
Marie "Mary" Smith - Johnson
Marie "Mary" Smith, wife of Jed Johnson
Mrs. Marie "Mary" Johnson, born Marie Walker
Ask yourself, which of these forms is least confusing and most informative!
Keep Researching!
Christine
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