Recently I received a notification (via email) from Family Search that a grave marker for one of my ancestors had been discovered. When I clicked the link, I found photos of 20 Grave markers belonging to my ancestors. One of the names that came up was for Askey, but When I looked at the grave stone photo, it showed the surname Erskine. Thinking that a possible mistake had been made and a record attached to my family would possibly need to be removed, I clicked to the person page of this person and found some documents in “memories”. These documents included the Last Will and Testament of Thomas Askey, as well as land deeds.

As I read through these documents I learned that Thomas Askey, was also known as Thomas Erskine and Thomas Erskey. The documents listed the names of his wife and ten children, and the signature of Thomas and his son James, both used the last name Erskine. Confusing huh? But the gravestone photo that was attached was accurate.

When I did a search of my maiden name, I learned that my surname had been changed several times, (three times just since my ancestor immigrated to the American Colonies). In my research I learned that at the end of the eighteenth century, my maiden name was the thirty-second most common name in use in North America.

In an article I read: Interesting Facts and Myths about Ellis Island, by David Nielsen, I found that many of those immigrating to the United States changed their names for various reasons. My ancestors who changed their names may have done so for similar reasons.

This experience confirmed to me, the importance of digging deeper when we find what seems to be contradictory information in our family tree.

• Don’t assume that people attached to your family tree are inaccurate because the names don’t match.
• Research sources and memories attached to your family member before you make any changes to your family tree.
• When you do make changes, attach records, resolve duplicates, or click “not a match” make sure your reason statement contains a complete explanation of why you are making the change. This will aid others who are working on the same family lines. (To help you write reason statements that will help you and others, this link to the Family Search Wiki, is very helpful.)

Find out more about your name and what it means at Family Search, click the “All About Me” icon. I hope your journey into your own Family History will help you learn about yourself, and bring joy and blessings in to your life. –Elaine Hardman