File Naming

[andydadswell]

I know that everyone develops their own methodology for naming documents/photos etc, but how do most people resolve Maiden/Married names.

For Example.
I might call the the GRO Birth Index document for Ann Smith born in 1878
SMITH_Ann_1878_BirthIndex
But what about the GRO Marriage Index document for Ann when she married Bob Brown in 1901
should I call it
SMITH_Ann_1901_MarriageIndex
or
SMITH(BROWN)_Ann_1901_MarriageIndex
or
BROWN(SMITH)_Ann_1901_MarriageIndex

The same for the actual Marriage Certificate.

What about Anns GRO Death Index record from 1948 , should I call it
BROWN_Ann_1948_DeathIndex
or
BROWN(SMITH)_Ann_1948_DeathIndex
or
SMITH(BROWN)_Ann_1948_DeathIndex

I know that there is no right or wrong answer but would like to hear other peoples opinions on this.

I made Ann Smith & Bob Brown up so any similarity to persons living or dead is purely coincidental.

[Berlin-Bob]

Hi Andy,

Welcome to RootsChat

I know that everyone develops their own methodology for naming documents/photos etc, ...

OK, my system: I stick to birth names

SMITH_Ann_1878_BirthIndex
SMITH_Ann_1878_MarriageIndex1901_BROWN_Bob_1876
SMITH_Ann_1878_DeathIndex1950

The birthyear for every mention of Ann Smith helps if I find another Ann Smith in the family, but born in a different year
SMITH_Ann_1882_BirthIndex

Two (definitely different)  Ann Smiths born in the same year could be
SMITH_Ann_a_1878_BirthIndex
SMITH_Ann_b_1878_BirthIndex
or something similar, but I haven't had to cope with that one yet, so I don't know the best answer there.

Photos or other docs. would have the same "prefix":
SMITH_Ann_1878_with_siblings1895.jpg
SMITH_Ann_1878_in_1910.jpg
SMITH_Ann_1878_with_son_1905_BROWN_Jim_1903.jpg
etc.

As I also have a website, web pages for Ann Smith could then be
SMITH_Ann_1878_bio.PHP or
SMITH_Ann_1878_bio.HTML
etc.

That was following your example. 
For myself I would leave out most of the underlines.
The prefix would then look like this:
SmithAnn1878_.....
BrownBob1876_....
BrownJim1903_...

For more ideas on organisation and presentation of data browse through some of these topics
Topic: RootsChat Topics: Organising and Presenting your Family History
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=158638.0
 
regards,
Bob