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Archiver > GenMassachusetts > 2011-07 > 1310584171
From: "" <>
Subject: Re: [GENMASSACHUSETTS] Birth Certificate for Madeline Schehr(1887-1980)
Date: Wed, 13 Jul 2011 19:09:31 -0000
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Author: jjcaffrey
Surnames:
Classification: queries
Message Board URL:
http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.massachusetts.unknown/7341.2.1.1.1/mb.ashx
Message Board Post:
Bill,
One thing to keep in mind as you seek the true identity,:) Names vary based on who is providing the information, and who is recording the information. Magdalena for example, is just another form of Madeline, Madaline, Madiline. Someone that came to this country with the name of Magdalena would often Anglicize or American-ize the name to a form of Madeline. How it was spelled in documentation was up to the person writing it down, and possibly varied each time someone else recorded it. Using my own last name as an example, when I provide it I am frequently asked to spell it. More often than not, they write down what they think it is (caffERY) and not what I tell them (caffREY). End of the day, it's all the same thing.
In addition, birth and marriage records are generally more accurate then death records. Information for a death record is provided by someone that may not exactly know the answer. They may know what has been passed down in the family, or what they recall hearing once upon a time. Birth records generally come from a parent, and marriage information generally comes from both.
So I guess I'm suggesting to not count on an answer tied up with a pretty bow. You may find close, but not exact, information that you can then balance against everything else you know.
Good luck.
John
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