william mckenzie/mclerie

[rtree]

l know that william mckenzie was born ab. 1842 in glasgow. his parents were william mckenzie and elizabeth mclerie. l have tried looking for elizabeth but mclerie 's must have been few and far between. when william jr. married the marriage certificate actually has him as william mclerie. a mistake? could he have used that name or was it written in confusion with his father-in-law. l have looked for a birth with parents those names but can't find....help please

[Geoffers]

l know that william mckenzie was born ab. 1842 in glasgow. his parents were william mckenzie and elizabeth mclerie......when william jr. married the marriage certificate actually has him as william mclerie. a mistake?

You may use any name you wish provided that you do not commit an offence in so doing - it is possible that he chose to change his name for some unknown reason - e.g. huband abandoned wife, father was already married to someone else when he marrried Elizabeth McLERIE.

Another reason for this is illegitimacy. If William McKENZIE did not marry Elizabeth McLERIE; or married her after birth of the son William in 1842, then William (the son) may be referred to as William McLERIE.