My wife’s grandmother was born Grace Alice Mortier in Rock Island County, Illinois, in 1913 and married Wilbur Johnson. In many records after her marriage, she is referred to as “Grace M. Johnson,” with the “M” standing for her maiden name. Unfortunately some have seen the reference to her as “Grace M.” and assumed that her maiden name was Grace M. Mortier–with the “M” standing for another name.
Some women used their maiden name as a middle name after their marriage. If a married woman’s middle initial is the same as the initial letter as her maiden name, that could be what the letter is standing for.
2 Responses
I began the ‘maiden name’ habit once I began putting my name down where genealogists were likely to see it. One wouldn’t want to miss a connection by the lack of that name.
Actually, it’s considered to be your “legal” name , at least from what I know, first name, maiden last name, married last name. So here on my second marriage, I did not take his last name. No confusion, other than people not automatically knowing we’re married.(I took back my maiden name after the divorce from 1st husband.) married names for women make it hard to find people years later.