Surnames on Certificates

[Haylestorm]

Hi everyone,

This may be quite obvious but I haven't had it come up before so wanted to check see if what I assumed was right.

On a birth certificate I have the Mother's current surname along with "late" and "formerly" surnames.

Am I right to assume the "formerly" relates to original surname and the "late" is one that is from either divorce or widowed?

Many thanks

[KGarrad]

"Late" usually refers to the name she was known by immediately prior to the wedding.
"Formerly" usually refers to the name she was known by previously (usually her maiden name).

I don't think, however, that there are hard and fast rules
The marriage certificate is Informant led - the registrar just writes what he is told.
And people (in the UK) have the right to call themselves anything they like - just as long as there is no intention to deceive or defraud.

[Haylestorm]

Ahhh okay. Makes sense!

There are vague mentions of her being married before but very vague (eveyone whow would know is no longer alive to ask) so I would like to search the previous marriage. So if I start with the "Late" name and have a search that could offer some lines to follow.

Thanks so much for the help!

[Guy Etchells]

"Late" usually refers to the name she was known by immediately prior to the wedding.
"Formerly" usually refers to the name she was known by previously (usually her maiden name).

I don't think, however, that there are hard and fast rules
The marriage certificate is Informant led - the registrar just writes what he is told.
And people (in the UK) have the right to call themselves anything they like - just as long as there is no intention to deceive or defraud.

The booklet Guidance for the Clergy gives the rules the clergy have to follow when completing the marriage register
http://www.rootschat.com/links/01pkt/


It used to be called "Suggestions for the Guidance of the Clergy, with Reference to the Marriage Registration Acts"
Cheers
Guy

[josey]

So if I start with the "Late" name and have a search that could offer some lines to follow.

I am sure you have worked this out but you will be looking for a Known Forename  'Formerly' marrying a Mr X 'Late', then a death of X Late before a marriage of Known Forename 'Late' to Mr 'Surname of Child on birth certificate'.

[Sloe Gin]

"Late" usually refers to the name she was known by immediately prior to the wedding.
"Formerly" usually refers to the name she was known by previously (usually her maiden name).

I don't think, however, that there are hard and fast rules

Did you mean "birth name"?

Strictly speaking, "maiden name" is the surname you were known by at the time of your first marriage.  And that's not necessarily your birth name. So you cannot actually have a maiden name unless and until you marry.

As you say though, people interpret these terms in different ways, not always correctly.

[jim1]

Getting the mother's marriage cert. will tell you her maiden name.