I recently found out, my great grandfather was born under one name (Smith), and then moved to another state and started using another name (Jones), but did not legally change it, over 75 years ago. My entire family goes by the second name (Jones), but what is legal? Should we be under the first name?
2007-11-23 21:11:38 · 10 answers · asked by Blind Squirrel 3 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Genealogy
i think u should ... but no point changing it now
2007-11-23 21:15:35 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
People can change names unless for fraud purposes, and there is little chance now of finding out his exact reason, or if he was in violation of any laws that were in force at the time.
Since all documents since then are in good faith that the new name is/was valid, I can't see any reason why someone would come back after all these years, and challenge their legality. All are based on what was known and accepted at the time.
So, the new name has to be legal. As someone mentioned, thousands of persons have different names now, than they did, 100-200 yrs ago. None are being challenged. We would have one heck of a mess, if they were.
2007-11-24 05:42:21 · answer #2 · answered by wendy c 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
I would say at this point, other than being a genealogist's nightmare - your name is Jones. That is what is on your birth certificate. A lot of people came from overseas and changed their names when they came in to Ellis Island for a number of reasons.
2007-11-24 05:16:14 · answer #3 · answered by Gatekeeper 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Jones.
"Legal" varies by nation, but most recognize changing it by use. The most common example of this is when a woman marries and takes her husband's name. She just goes down to the motor license bureau, Social Security Administration, Bar association, Board of Medical Examiners, Real Estate Licensing authority . . . shows them her wedding certificate and gets everything re-issued in her new name. No court date needed.
You can also just get tired of your name and change it, so long as you don't do it to defraud people.
(Run up $10,000 in bills, change from Pete Moss to Robin Banks, tell the bill collector you never heard of Mr. Moss.)
(Change your name from Olaf Olafson to Jose Burrito and apply for a scholarship for hispanic students.)
(Change from Bob Door to Bob Gates, tell Bill Gates you are a long-lost cousin and need a handout.)
My 10th great grandfather changed from Kasselberg to Casselberry so his Anglo neighbors could spell it. Yours changed from "Smith" to "Jones" for whatever reason, but all of his kids, grandkids and great grandkids are "Jones" by use.
2007-11-24 10:22:10 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
names are formed mostly resembling the nature of peoples work and sometimes by the place they live.
names are used to identify a person from particular work or a place.
u can choose any name u like to, but remember their should not be a confusion and problems for u by changing it. so try to keep the name that u r family is been using for 75 years.
2007-11-24 05:17:57 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
All that matters is what is on your birth certificate. If it's Jones, then your legal name is Jones.
2007-11-24 05:16:27 · answer #6 · answered by Mr. Helper 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
i don't really know the law all that well, but i'd say legally your name is Smith but you can have people call you Jones or whatever the hell you want them to.
2007-11-24 05:19:32 · answer #7 · answered by j rock 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
No just be Blind squirrel smith & Jones.
2007-11-24 10:16:52 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
jones-smith
2007-11-24 05:24:20 · answer #9 · answered by virgil 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
no one hah
2007-11-24 05:29:07 · answer #10 · answered by aka 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋