Why two different names for the same area?

[1banshee]

Hi,

On my g, g, grandparent's marriage certificate it has the residential addresses listed as both Derry and Londonderry despite them being in the same city - is this a personal choice from the relevant person or is it a political/historical/geographical indicator of sorts. I am aware as to the disputes regarding the place name, ie, nationalists and unionists etc, but I would have thought that, despite this, on an official certificate it would have had the same name on it!  Any info would be great!   

[Skoosh]

Londonderry to the Planter population & Derry to the native Irish.

Skoosh.

[ScouseBoy]

Derry   to  one  particular   political  group.

Londonderry   to the "Unionist"   camp

[aghadowey]

Not really anything to do with politics or religion at that time. I've seen many Protestant families giving address as Derry rather than Londonderry in records, etc.

The Wapping Lane address is of interest to me as ancestors once lived there.

[snowball]

Hi - BBC take a view on this in their style guide:

Londonderry

The city and county are Londonderry. The city should be given the full name at first mention, but may be referred to as Derry at second reference.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/academy/journalism/article/art20130702112133579

Regards
Rob

[Mike in Cumbria]

Before the "troubles" of the 1960's onwards, there was much less fuss about its name - both terms were used pretty interchangeably.  After that, the use of one name or the other became much more of a marker as to the speaker's identity.