Mary McLeod/Margaret McLeod - mistranscriptions?

[Soubeyran]

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

[aghadowey]

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?

[hullnow]

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

[Rosinish]

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