Denis, I don't use Family Tree Maker, although I've reviewed the software. I'll let someone who knows all the ins and outs tell you if there is a work around that setting.
My program of choice is "The Master Genealogist" or TMG. There's a setting in there where I can assign the surname of the father or not. Depending on if I'm doing my Portuguese research or my American research, I turn that off or on. Same thing with the women taking the man's name after marriage. I can turn that off or on, depending on which research interest I'm working on. I also have a "tag" for name variations. I can choose which one I want to be primary and the others are allowed as variations. I can also control which name variation I was to print on which event. So the multiple names don't bother me. For now, I've left the Portuguese deceased children and babies with their first name only. I've contemplated if I should go ahead and assign the father's surname just so my index of names will look more complete. Then I don't have to go through 50 Manuel's looking for a particular one. But then again, with the index (Picklist) in TMG, I can expand it to see various tidbits to narrow the individual. I think I have name, birth, death, father, mother, and spouse displayed at this time to help me decide which Manuel I want. So I never really went ahead and bothered with the surnames. But it does cross my mind from time to time. This is just what works for me. Others may have different ideas that you like better. Cheri Mello Listowner, Azores-Gen Researching: Vila Franca, Ponta Garca, Ribeira Quente, Ribeira das Tainhas, Achada -- To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. 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."
