Best practices
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Record full formal names, recording all persons with their birth surname.
- Some recommend listing surname first in capital letters.
- Use additional facts to record alternate names, e.g., married or adoptive names.
Record dates as day, month, four digit year (ex: 20 Feb 2019).
- Use “Abt.”, “Bef.”, “Aft.” or “Bet.” for estimated dates.
Record places as town, county, state, country (ex: Pittsboro, Chatham, North Carolina, United States). Use leading commas if town/county not known.
- Some researchers add County/ Township/ Village/ etc. in addition to place names.
Record place names as they were known on the date of the event.
- Example: Annapolis, Maryland, British North America.
- Changing county boundaries are a particular challenge. Use resources to ensure you record the place as it was on the date!