Name Variations in Canadian Indexes and Records

Introduction
Before you decide your ancestor is not in an index or record, try the suggestions in this guide. Identifying your ancestor's name in indexes and records may be difficult because of:


 * Spelling errors and spelling changes over time.
 * Errors in reading handwriting.
 * Foreign surnames modified to sound more British.
 * Errors made by an indexer.
 * Errors made by the transcriber of a record.

What You Are Looking For
Ways to overcome problems finding your ancestor's name in indexes and records.

Steps
These 4 steps will help you identify your ancestor's name in indexes and records.

Step 1. If you can't find the record, check if the name is spelled a different way.
Two kinds of spelling errors are found in records and indexes:


 * 1) The transcriber or indexer misreads the original or mistypes the index entry.
 * 2) The creator of the records misspells the name in the original record.

The following table lists problems and suggests possible solutions: