Hi Jesse, It would depend on what you want to do with the data base. If I were doing a tree to show my family then I use actual names as they were spelled at the time. If I were doing a searchable data base (which I am) then I standardize spelling with some exceptions. A good example is the one you give I treat Helena and Elena separately but others like Mello and Melo are all spelled Mello.
Rick Richard Francis Pimentel Epping, New Hampshire, USA Researching Bretanha, Ribeirinha, Ribeira Grande, Achade Grande, and Ponta Delgada, Sao Miguel, Acores -----Original Message----- From: azores@googlegroups.com [mailto:azo...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Jesse Pacheco Sent: Sunday, June 20, 2010 3:04 PM To: Azores Genealogy Subject: [AZORES-Genealogy] Name Spelling & Standardization Hi I was wondering if there was a general consensus on what to do with names with variations/different spellings (this is almost all of them!). For example, I have a Helena in my tree and I also have an Elena. I know these are technically the "same" name but the spellings have been different. Do these spellings reflect the priest who wrote the records or how the people in question actually wanted their name spelled? If it is all based on the priest I will start adopting standardized spellings for the sake of organization. Just looking for some opinions/information on this! Thanks! -- To unsubscribe from this group, send email to azores+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. Follow the confirmation directions when they arrive. For more options, such as changing to List, Digest, Abridged, or No Mail (vacation) mode, log into your Google account and visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/Azores. Click in the blue area on the right that says "Join this group" and it will take you to "Edit my membership." -- To unsubscribe from this group, send email to azores+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. Follow the confirmation directions when they arrive. For more options, such as changing to List, Digest, Abridged, or No Mail (vacation) mode, log into your Google account and visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/Azores. Click in the blue area on the right that says "Join this group" and it will take you to "Edit my membership."
