What Last name to use when adopted by stepfather?

Question

My original birth certificate is court sealed, my mother kept the original in her lockbox with the blank next to father, I was brought home Bertina Marie Lane. In 1975 my mothers husband adopted me giving me the last name Labanow, they had a child together so I am connected to the Labanow's but only through my material line. I read the instructions but my lack of experience makes me cautious, recommendations?

Thank you,

Bertina

Answer 1

If you're trying to be completely accurate, the LNAB is the Last Name at Birth - or your very first original name. If you are concerned because the records are sealed and simply don't want to open that door, then I understand and you may choose to use a different name for any number of reasons. I would use Lane in your case, with Other Last Name of Labanow and it appears Standridge as your Current Last Name, or some combination of the above.

Comments

Along those same lines, you'd probably also want to mark any father relationship with your step-father as "non-biological" so that it's clear there's no genetic relationship there. It makes a difference in some genetic tracings that might be done out there, but little difference otherwise.

Answer 2

The Last Name At Birth (LNAB) should be the biological parents name. As far as the adoptive parents it can be shown as follows:

Adoption Template for anyone adopted. 

http://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Template:Adopted_Child

Here is an example

http://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Plaisted-208

You might like to take a look at this:

https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Help:Adoptions_and_Multiple_Parents