After experiencing a successful collaboration with the US and Kansas GenWeb Projects we were able to complete our trace of the Stuart family line for the ancestor names we had to work with.  The information provided by our contact in Kansas clarified names, dates and locations.  At the same time, it also raised questions.  For example, much of the information found in family records and online indicates Margaret Stuart was born in Scotland.  However, as seen in our previous post, the 1851 Scotland Census reveals she was born in Ireland and lived in Scotland as a young child.  One will have to decide which to accept for their documentation.  We have chosen to accept the official recorded entries in the public records.

Surname spellings present a unique set of challenges.  Not only have we found different spelling in public records, ranging from accepted known variations to complete misspelling of the name, we have also seen the Stuart and Stewart spelling used within the same family (see ourJuly 2, 2012 post).  We have used the Stuart spelling as it is the most prevalent in both family and public records.  One needs to be aware of the spelling variations and consider other details about the person to avoid being led a stray in their research.  To see an example, take a look at the chart comparison below starting with Margaret Stewart from an online profile and compare it to Margaret Stuart from our chart. Keeping in mind the accepted variation in name spelling, we can compare the details for each ancestor and determine they are the same.

Pedigree chart comparison. Margaret Stewart Pedigree by Gary D. McDougal. Used with permission. Margaret Stuart Pedigree by Kirk D. Brittain – Five Lines Genealogy.

Also, we know it’s the same family because our grandmother is listed as one of Margaret Stewart’s children from her second marriage.  This may very well be a descendant of Margaret’s older brother who came to America several years after Nancy and her daughters or perhaps another sibling.  We know, as previously discussed, Hamilton used the Stewart spelling of the name.  As to why there is a different spelling of the surname within the immediate family, we do not know.  We do know we’ll see the scenario again with the other family surname being featured in this blog.  Given names can be confusing as well.  Margaret’s mother, Nancy Agnes (Ferguson) Stuart is often times found as Agnes Nancy (Ferguson) Stuart or Stewart as seen above.