Ever find more than one person in a family with the same name? It can be easy to make the mistake of merging two different people with the same name into being the same person. Or you may confuse two different people with the same name and assign the wrong record or event to the wrong person. Or even worse, overlook yet another relative with the same name (there could always be more).

Granted, it may take some work when faced with the possibility of two different people with the same name. But taking the time may help you find more ancestors. How can you determine who is who? First, look at records that mention age. Then look to see if there are any middle initials. Who is the spouse? Are there occupational clues? What specific residences or residential clues can you find? Lastly, who are the relatives?

Every record you can find in the area where your same name people lived can be used to determine if you are looking at two different people.

[Source: Michael John Neill, Genealogy Tip of the Day, 26 September 2017]