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General => The Common Room => Topic started by: Soubeyran on Monday 11 July 16 18:44 BST (UK)

Title: Mary McLeod/Margaret McLeod - mistranscriptions?
Post by: Soubeyran on Monday 11 July 16 18:44 BST (UK)
Hello gang,

I'm looking for opinions from more experienced genealogists!

I guess we all know that we'd get nowhere without a bit of guesstimate over demanding absolute proof for everything, so I guess I'm just asking for a 'group' decision whether my guesstimate it a guess too far!

For several years I've tried to find lineage for a gg grandmother 'Mary McLeod', with no success.

But a few days ago after a new search, using the Scots naming 'convention', I found a *perfect* match.. the problem is that the person is Margaret, not Mary.

I'm wondering if it might be a mistranscription (ie Mary for Marg.), or a local/family short term etc., or am I putting wishful thinking ahead of logic?

I'll be thankful for any impartial opinions! :-)

Graeme
Title: Re: Mary McLeod/Margaret McLeod - mistranscriptions?
Post by: aghadowey on Monday 11 July 16 19:33 BST (UK)
I think you need to explain a bit further  :-\

'But a few days ago after a new search, using the Scots naming 'convention', I found a *perfect* match.. the problem is that the person is Margaret, not Mary.'
New search where?
Can you not view originakl rather than transcription?
Title: Re: Mary McLeod/Margaret McLeod - mistranscriptions?
Post by: hullnow on Monday 11 July 16 19:40 BST (UK)
Graeme,is it possible that Margaret was known as Mary within the family.On my wife`s family I have found a Daniel,birth registered name,known as David in the family,possibly to avoid confusion with his uncle also Daniel.The name seems to swap between the two in census returns.
Alistair
Title: Re: Mary McLeod/Margaret McLeod - mistranscriptions?
Post by: Rosinish on Monday 11 July 16 19:57 BST (UK)
Hi Graeme,

Just as aghadowey suggests........

Names, dates, areas would help.

You may need to look at different documents to find out whether her name on censuses/children's births, even marriages etc. alternated  ???

It would be easy to mistake a "g" for a "y" but you do need genuine certs.

Annie