Merging of files with different spelling of surname

Question

I have proposed the merge of Rathbun-158 and Rathbone-260. Soon the 30 day waiting period will end. How does one resolve the differences in spelling of the surname?

Answer 1

I generally check to see how the father spelled his  name, failing this I look as siblings. If none are available, I check to see which spelling is most common, use that then put a note in the biography of the alternate spelling.

There probably are better ways.

Answer 2

The best way to resolve something such as spelling difference it to work through the sources. In this case the two profiles seem to be light on sources. But working past that issue...

• Livermore's History of Block Island (1877), pp.306-10 [link] uses Rathbone,
• Similarly Cooley's Rathbone Genealogy (1898), [link] also appears to prefer Rathbone

On the otherhand,

• Harris's Copy of the old epitaphs in the burying ground of Block Islan, R.I. (1883), pp.12,23,38 [link] indicates that the burial markers for at least 3 family members used "Rathbun" - however in the notes however the author refers to them as "Rathbone".
• The monument at Settler's Rock is inscribed as Rathbun.

The Rathbun - Rathbone - Rathburn Family Historian vol.1, iss.1, [link] implies on page 6, Col. 3 that Rathbun was the common spelling at this time in history.

 

 

Comments

Considering:

1) Wikitree's name guidelines say: "We aim to use the names that people themselves would have known and that would have been recognized in their own time and place";

2) that the sources above all seem to agree, at least in part, that Rathbun was in common usage at the time John was living, (while Rathbone was more common both a few generations earlier and a few later); and,

3) the closest thing to a primary source (i.e. the epitaphs of other family members) use Rathbun.

I would suggest Rathbun should be used unless other evidence can be found that indicates Rathbone was actually used for this individual during his life.

Answer 3

Whichever way you make it, make sure you put the alternate spelling in the other last names field. That way a search on either one will come up with the profile.