Name searches are the backbone of genealogical research.   But if you only use a person’s full name, you are missing opportunities for discovery.

Remember that uniform spelling rules were not even established until well into the late 1800s.  Your ancestor may not have spelled his name the same way consistently.  Records may have been kept using his nickname or misspelled.  If the record keeper didn’t speak English, then he could have misunderstood the name.  Records at Ellis Island often found the place of origin used as the surname.

To find your ancestor, you may have to get creative.  Don’t underestimate the power of a poor speller in keeping your ancestor’s records!

Photo credit: PlusLexia