A maiden name refers to a woman’s surname before marriage. Most cultures have it that women adopt the surname of their husbands after getting married. The name of their new husband supersedes the surname, which they were born with usually, although not always their father, name. This implies that maiden names could be lost in generations as women prefer to use the surname of their new men. If you need more interested info like that visit quick guider.
Mothers’ maiden name meaning
A maiden name refers to a woman’s surname before marriage. In most societies, women change the name that they were born with, which in most cases is the name of their father, to the name of their husband when they become wives and therefore the name of the loved one who has married them is used. If you need info related How many acres is a mile.
This implies that the maiden names can be lost with the generations, women taking the names of their new spouses. The maiden name of the mother is the family surname of the mother before marriage which essentially means the surname of the mother before she became part of the family of her husband.
Tracing maiden names in family history research
In genealogical studies, the maiden name of a woman is often relevant because through it one can locate the records of her early life such as birth or school records and census returns. In case you are aware that your mother or another woman got married and changed her last name, then use her married name where the events occurred after and her maiden name where the events occurred before.
Maiden name research frequently begins with marriage documents but also covers birth, death, church, census, newspaper, probate, land, cemetery, military records, Bibles in family books and even oral history by family members. Combined, these two sources may provide you with some precious leads about a woman and her maiden name, and enhance your family history research.
Where can I find a woman’s maiden name?
Under tracing your family history online, you are supposed to be able to find the maiden name of an ancestor by searching some of the genealogy records, including birth certificates, baptism and church records, marriage certificates, death notices, and obituaries.
Marriage records, birth or death certificates and census records should usually give the maiden name of a woman, but church records, family Bibles, newspapers, and cemetery records may also do so. Marriage licenses, announcements, and bonds usually include the names of both bride and groom, and and birth certificates.
Top tips for finding the maiden names within your family tree?
Start with marriage records
Among the best sources are marriage certificates, licenses, announcements, and banns, which normally include the maiden name of the bride.
Check birth certificates
Birth records usually include maiden name of the mother with hers married name and these can be used to find out the family line.
Look at death records & obituaries
The maiden name might be listed on death certificates and newspaper obituaries and surviving relatives might give you additional leads.
Search church records
The maiden name of the mother is often noted in baptism, christening or other church registers, particularly older ones.
Use census records carefully
Although they may not say maiden names per se, they may indicate relatives who live with them, and who may give you clues on how to connect the dots.
Explore family Bibles & personal records
Maiden names are recorded in many families in handwritten books of births, marriages and deaths.
Don’t overlook cemetery records
Gravestones and cemetery books may contain the maiden name of the woman or even a list of her parents, further details about them, another generation.
Ask living relatives
In some instances the most helpful leads can be found through conversations – the older members of the family might know or have a document that shows maiden names.
How to Get Mother’s Maiden Name
The easiest method of determining the maiden name of your mother is to inquire her, or when she is not available ask someone else such as your father or grandparents. Usually, the maiden name of a mother is identical to the surname, however.
Conclusion
Maiden name is the surname of a woman prior to marriage, later substituted by that of her husband in most cultures and can result in it being lost through generations.
The maiden name comes in very handy in genealogical research since it can be used to trace back early life records such as birth, marriage, cencusdo cements. Sources of a woman maiden name include marriage records, birth certificates, church records, death records, family bibles, byaskin golder Realtives.