Is there a general policy for creating/naming stillborn children?

Question

I know this is probably an odd question, since unnamed, stillborn children don't offer much history to build upon.  However, I know members of our family still recognize these children, so I would like to do the same.  Is there currently a policy for doing so?  Should the child be named "X" or "Anonymous", or is "Stillborn" too harsh?  I know there were no names given (and they received unmarked graves), otherwise I would indicate them as such.  What does everyone think?

Comments

The Catholic Church will baptise the stillborn, and as such they will have names.  I assume that it is ok to use the name, but indicate that the child was stillborn.

Answer 1

We did come up with a style rule for this. It's "Unnamed Infant".

It's kind of buried here: http://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Name_Fields

Great question, Damion, and good answers Lianne and Erin.

Answer 2

I don't think there's really a standard at this time, but I've always used Baby Boy, Baby Girl, or just Baby if the gender isn't known. Although, as far as I know all the ones I have profiles for were liveborn, but died before they were named. So maybe Stillborn Infant or something like that would be more appropriate in this case.

So basically, whatever you prefer. :)

Comments

I've been using "Unnamed" mostly because they weren't named or there is no way to find out if there was a name chosen for them but it wasn't ever officially recorded. I kind of view it as being like using "Unknown" for the maiden name of a wife when her birth name is proving elusive.

---

OK, not sure that this was the policy 75+ years ago, as I've never heard any name for any of the stillborn children that were mentioned (and nobody alive would know now, unfortunately). Thanks though!