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From: gt5599d@prism.gatech.EDU ("gt5599d TOLBERT,JASON ALAN")
Newsgroups: soc.feminism
Subject: Re: Name Changing
Summary: but wouldn't it cause problems?
Message-ID: <13925@hydra.gatech.EDU>
Date: 21 Sep 90 15:37:14 GMT
References: <85454@aerospace.AERO.ORG>
Organization: Georgia Institute of Technology
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In article <85454@aerospace.AERO.ORG>, colsmith@iwlcs.att.com writes:
>
> I know it's a bit late in the discussion, but a friend mentioned to me that
> soc.feminism was talking about changing names at marriage.  In particular,
> someone asked if any couple had made up a new last name.  Indeed that is
> where Colsmith originated, we made it up and took it as our last name.
>

This is a good concept but it seems it causes problems in respect to
heritage.  The system of adopting one's last name is useful in tracing
your roots.  If was Alex Haley trying to trace his roots back to
Africa, I would hate the points that had name changes. Also, last
names can clue you in that some one may be related to you.  I am not
saying that the *men's* name be taken in every case, but that one or
the other instead of a whole new name.  I like the idea of keeping
your own last namewhile adding your husbands name after a hyphen.
(e.g. Crimes-Moore or Jacobs-Myles).  Moreover, the guys could do it
also with their names if agreed upon.  As a solution to the geneology
problem that can still work with made-up last names goes as follows:
Both the man and the woman agree upon a new name.  In addition, each
party adds the other spouse's previous last name as an additional
middle name.  Thus, you have your made-up names *and* a convenient way
to trace down *both* directions of your family tree.  What does
everyone think about that idea?

[How about women taking their mothers names and men taking their
father's?  It wouldn't affect looking up paternal lines, and would
make maternal lines much easier to look up... --CLT]

Jason
--
TOLBERT,JASON ALAN
Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta Georgia, 30332
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