When documenting geneology, how do you list gay individuals?

Question

It this starting to be documented if a relative was gay? Or, is it still being wiped out of history? If they have had a partner for years is that listed as married or what?

We just recently disovered that my great uncle who served in WWII was gay and had a lover. Not only was he gay but he killed himself. For years it was said that he was a casualty of war. But, come to find out he shot himself in the head. So many secrets.....

Answer 1

If you have a genealogy program for your PC, it should have a drop-down menu with different words you can choose....like MET, MARRIED, PARTNER....

If not, then you should just add the lover as the wife.
That's what I did for my Great-GrandUncle.

It's the love that your relative had for that individual that needs to be documented.

Answer 2

How are you and your family able to handle the "stigma" of th e relative. Everything everyday changes and the attitudes of those 50yrs ago are not the same today. I come from a family of alcoholics while researching my family I came to find out that even back in the early 1900's someone somehow was in liquor business, even bootlegging and stuff. when I was young my family owned in some capacity 65% of the bars in my hometown. What does that have to do w/your situation? Well, in a round about way it shows that the past does effect the future. My family literally drank themselves to death(Mom, dad, 3 uncles) and by researching this I understand why. As a side note I also understand the power of alcohol and refuse to touch it. So to answer your question for yourself list him as gay. Don't let genealogist of the future have to dig. It's no reflection on you. Even if he was a scum-bag it has no reflection on you. It just gives you a chance to learn and grow. Sorry for rambling

Answer 3

Good question, I would think you should include the lover. One nice thing about homosexuality & geneology...there is not as much work to do for the gays...the blood line ususally stops with them.

Answer 4

You would document your uncle, not his lover, as he was not a blood relative and so would not be listed as such .
Even though some states recognize gay relationships now,
they didn't back then.
His lover would not be documented because he is not a "blood relative", and has nothing to do with your genepool.

Answer 5

I would list the person in normal fashion and his or her partner as the "domestic partner." You won't be coming right out and saying that the person is gay, but most will read between the lines.

Answer 6

can being gay mean you cannot be listed as an uncle, auntie, brother, sister, father or mother for that matter?! should you be ashamed if you have a gay relative? a gay predecessor or descendant? either way, they are a part of your family, and on top of it all, we gays are humans, a brother, sister, friend, uncle, auntie, etc.

Answer 7

it would stop with the gay individual, unless they had a kid.
there is no difference from a hetero single with a child (single mother) and a gay with a lover in a geneolgy.

Answer 8

just list the family member, and where theres the space for spouse, list the partner. and if there are children you list them under that couple just like you would for a man/woman couple.

Answer 9

It would just say lodger or visitor.
In my tree I have to have a boy and a girl, so I make one into a girl and in notes I put he was a boy.

Answer 10

Probalby the same way you do lovers and divorces in a family tree.