With the upcoming 400-year anniversary of the Mayflower arriving in Plymouth, Massachusetts I thought it would be a good idea to start writing blogs about my Pilgrim ancestors. I want to publish them as a series later in the year and I am striving for absolute accuracy, if possible. I am excited about this endeavor.
Here is my dilemma, one of my female ancestors has some controversy over her correct maiden name. To be honest, I have had both of her “proven” names listed on my tree at different times. I have done my own research and I have found credible evidence for both names. I have scoured through all of the Mayflower websites that I can find, as well as numerous books and publications. These have also been divided on her name.
Because of my uncertainty of the correct one, I have been verbally attacked and harassed about the name I have associated with this ancestor. No matter which last name I have on the tree, someone who believes the other name is correct gives me a hard time about it. I always try to respond nicely, explaining why I have this particular last name listed and confessing that I have gone back and forth with the 2 names. I know you can’t please everyone, but until I find definitive proof, I will not take a side in this issue.
So, I was thinking yesterday, after my latest confrontation, that I may add a “second” wife to my ancestor. In other words, add the same wife with the other last name. I had thought about just putting both names on the existing one, kind of like Smith/Jones but I know in doing this it will wreak havoc with any hints I may receive. I would add the documentation for the “second” wife so when it is viewed a person can understand why I have it this way.
Has any of you done this with an ancestor before? If so, how did it work out? Any other suggestions?
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Did you find marriage records of the couple?
Is it possible this man may have married 2 women, at different times with the
same 1st name?
-I like your idea of listing the info you have on said wife – as separate people (names), and then list your thoughts on why her maiden could be this or that…
good luck
GJ
Thank you. They got married in Holland so I have never found a marriage record.
Reblogged this on Jude's Threshold and commented:
The Pilgrims are coming! Well, sort of. Actually they’re already among and within us!
Thank you Jude.