The “name’s the same” can be a big problem–even when that name is not too common.

There were two Menne Adens who lived in the Golden, Adams County, Illinois, area:

• Menne Hinrich Aden, born about 1865 in Adams County, Illinois.
• Menne Ehme Aden, born about 1867 in Adams County, Illinois.

Both men were named for a paternal grandfather. Menne Ehme is the “person of actual interest,” as his mother is my aunt. The difficulty is in separating out some records where it is not clear to whom the reference is being made. Many documents clearly list them with a middle initial in an attempt to distinguish between them.

Once I determined there were two Mennes, census records were relatively easy to use as Menne Hinrich was about two years older than Menne Ehme and they fortunately married women with different names. There was some overlap in the names of their children as sometimes happens in families where names are passed down from generation to generation.

Newspapers were the one record where it was occasionally difficulty to determine to whom the reference was being made. I put the references into three virtual piles:

• clearly a reference to Menne Ehme,
• clearly a reference to Menne Hinrich,
• not clear at all.

I made an annotation in my notes indicating why I thought the reference was to Menne Ehme or Menne Hinrichs (unless the name made it obvious). That way it will be easier later to review the information and my reasons–either for myself or for someone who wants to know why I assigned a record to a specific person.

Because if I don’t track the why then I don’t know why.

Never assume there is only one person with that name, no matter how common it is.

Sifting references to multiple people with the same name (and including your reasons) is always a good idea–whether it’s Menne Adens living in late-19th century Adams County, Illinois, or James Tinsleys living in late-18th century Amherst County, Virginia.