Surname variations

Question

I like to add unusual names I have transcribed for FreeBMD to WikiTree, as I have run-out of ancestors and their families, and usually the unusual ones are easy to track. My new one was born Lipman Swunwever and died as Zwanlever in Whitechapel in 1883 - BUT using the GRO index with mother's maiden surname, I have him as Swanwever, and siblings as Swenweber, Schwanwever, Swanweaver, and Swanwever. To add to the confusion, I cannot find the parents' marriage. Any suggestions on how to handle this in WikiTree, or should I just leave it alone?

Answer 1

I had a similar experience with a surname which turned out to be "Reingirt" but which was spelled variously as "Rinnguth" and "Ringguth" among others.

To be honest, I usually put exactly what is on the birth record if I can find it - that always irons out confusions like this in my experience, especially if the name isn't primarily in the native language of the birth country.

Comments

Thanks for replying. I'm mostly concerned about adding confusion on the tree. I'll try to research further and see if I can find the parents or even further back.