Parents unknown but father parents known

Question

I am new to WikiTree can I add my grandmother’s grandparent if I do not know her father name?  My grandmother’s maiden name was slaton.  Can I add her father as unknown slaton

And attach as a child to known grandfather slaton?

Answer 1

While not ideal, yes, you can. For uniformity, we capitalize the word Unknown when used as a substitute for either the first or last name.

Answer 2

Hi Linda,

If I am understanding you correctly, you don't know the name of your grandmother's father, obviously he existed for your grandmother to exist.  You actually know your grandmother's grandfather's name?  Was she brought up by her grandfather or something similar?

Personally I would hold off on adding the father until I had exhausted all research avenues to identify him more fully.  You want sources in there, an unknown X isn't going to have a whole lot of sources.

Answer 3

You may have already tried all of these suggestions, but just in case:

I would try to find sources for the Grandfather, especially if you have any other information about him.  You might find a birth record for the father or a census record that will give you potential names for him.

Also look for your grandmother under her maiden name which may find her in a census or a birth record. You might luck out and find her grandfather living with her family at some point.

Also look for them both in Find A Grave.  If you find them, search the same cemetery for the family name and see who appears there that might be related.  

Sometimes you have to work backwards or sideways to find some clues.