Should the current last name reflect the name used then or what we know them as today?

Question

As I've read the help pages on names I see that the LNAB should match the records, as written in the day.  And, the current last name should reflect what the person used in their life.  And, other last names are for other names they were known by, other names used, etc.

My question is: if the person was born with one last name and used it through their life, but we know them as a different name today, should the commonly used name (that we use today) be in the current last name field or the other last name field?

For example, a man is born John Smythe.  In the parish archives, his father was a Smythe and his christening record was Smythe.

But, a generation or two later, all of his descendants use the name Smith.  Would we call him:

LNAB Smythe & current last name Smith, or

LNAB Smythe, current last name Smythe, and other last name Smith, or

if Smth wasn't used in that era, leave Smith out altogether?

thanks in advance for your replies

Comments

Current last name is his current last name (the last name he used at the end of his life), not his descendants.  I guess you could mention that but it seems that is already obvious.  Good luck!

Answer 1

If Smith was used for the descendants, that would be the Current Last Name for them (unless married and it changed). On John you can put it as Other Last Name or just explain in the bio that the spelling changed later.

Answer 2

LNAB Smythe, current last name Smythe, and other last name Smith.

I always think of the other last name field (besides some other functions) as a place to put alternate spellings, especially if you want those alternate spellings included in search results.

Comments

Are you saying its OK to use other last names for names that were not used by the person, just names we call them as?  For example, "William the Conqueror," when he was never called that (in his country) in his lifetime.

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I have to admit I'm not sure about William the Conquerer. It's several words and the Euroaristo project has a set of rules that they go by. I looked, they've put it in his preferred name.  But yes certainly for spelling variations that the person never used, but we might use, would be appropriate.

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Thanks for your reply; I appreciate it :-)