Keep every documented form
Record names as written, with their date and context. Do not assume every change means marriage or that someone used only one surname at a time. Initials and household labels can hide a familiar name.
Connect through context
Compare places, occupations, relationships and dates before linking records. A shared given name is not enough. Keep separate notes for possible matches until the evidence supports a connection.
Show uncertainty
A family tree can make a tentative link look settled. Add source notes and mark hypotheses clearly. An unresolved question helps the next researcher more than an unsupported certainty. Keep living people’s private details out of public versions.
Further reading
For source material and collection context, visit Library of Congress: collections. Check the collection’s own scope and access instructions before relying on it.