With the world of LGBTQ+, the concept of “Dead Names” has risen to the fore over the past decade.  For the great unwashed, a Dead Name might be the name that appeared on a birth certificate (traditionally, a solid gold artifact for genealogists).  However, some folks have now chosen to retire their birth names and adopt a new monicker, one of their choices which may not have any gender indication or may have a new gender indication or bias than what might have appeared on the birth certificate.  This is a new world, folks and this Dead Name phenomenon generates some basic challenges for genealogists.

For example, you have a grandchild who was born with a Christian name of Elizabeth.  The surname is not in doubt but Elizabeth has reached maturity (i.e., able to vote and determine health care outcomes, etc.) and has decided that a new Christian name, Eberl, is much more appropriate for identity. 

So, as a good genealogist, you are tracking the details of a new generation and have garnered a copy of the birth certificate for Elizabeth and have journeyed to enter the critical birth data.  You now know that Elizabeth has chosen a new Christian name and retired the original one that appears on the birth certificate.  What to enter?  It is important to respect people’s choices, including their names.  Many genealogy tools provide the ability to enter aliases or AKA (i.e., Also Known As) entries.  In this case, you can enter both names.  In your “notes”, you can also add a reference to the choice that has been made so others, in the future, can navigate through the family tree without offense. 

Ron Gilmore

Email:    rvg3@me.com

Website:       https://rgenealogy.ca