Question

Should I change my surname from my biological Father's to the surname on my birth certificate?

Comments

How do I change my surname in my profile?

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Changing on your own profile is tricky. You don't want to create a new one (as I have seen some do!)... I suggest contacting info@wikitree.com, and describing the problem - you registered under one name, but need to change the name to another.

Answer 1

I don't know your circumstances but my birth certificate shows my stepfather's name. I was adopted by him when I was 8 or 9 and the Govt issued me a new birth certificate and sealed my original birth record. In my case I felt strongly that it was appropriate to use my name at birth with my biological father's name not my stepfather's. I had used the name for over 8 years when it was changed and I was legitimate, having been born after my parents' marriage.

However I think the convention is to use your name at birth. For some that may be their mother's family name rather than their biological father or thaat of their mother's spouse. There is room on the data fields to show other family names used or that someone was known by.

Comments

It gets interesting when surname changes happen. Just as Lianne says, other names can be entered. It is especially important to track those if they were "official" surnames. Technically, I am a Fann, but not that many generations back, it becomes clear that an unmarried partner was where that name originated, so I might be considered a Porter, except it is by lineage only, not by usage.

Your scenario sounds like it may be one where both surnames may apply.