Workbook on Digital Private Papers > NCA Rules
Constructing personal names using NCA Rules
Personal names are composed of:
- Surname
- Forenames
- Dates
- Title
- Epithet
Surname
A mandatory element. The NCA Rules include explanations of how to deal with compound or hyphenated surnames; surnames with prefixes; titled individuals; changes of name; names of married women; names in Classical and European languages; medieval and saints' names; and others.
Forenames
The most recent version of all forenames should be recorded.
Dates
A mandatory element. Dates must be expressed in YYYY format using the Gregorian or new style calendar. Where known, life-span dates are preferred, although birth/death dates may also be used. If dates are uncertain, the indexer can provide an approximate period covered by an individual's activities; this can be done using a ?, 'circa' (meaning five years before or after) or flourit dates.
Title
This element is mandatory where applicable. It covers the expression of peerage titles and titles of significant offices or ranks. Generally speaking, the last, latest or highest title should be used.
Pre-title
Only the titles Lord, Lady, Sir, Dame and Hon may precede the forename. When using 'Sir', Baronet or Knight should be appended to the name. Other titles, such as academic, clerical or military titles will be recorded as epithets.
Epithet
An epithet describes an individual's position, occupation, nationality, alternative name, etc. More than one epithet can be used, but it is better to use fewer. The NCA rules advise that multiple qualifiers be presented in the following order: pre-title; dates; née, afterwards etc; peerage title; office or position; career or occupation; alternative name.
Examples
Bodley, Sir Thomas (1545-1613) Knight Diplomat and Scholar
Emerson, Henry E . (d 1867) plantation owner
Godwin, William ( 1756-1836 ) Philosopher and Novelist
Sadi, ( d 1291) Persian poet
Thurston, William (fl 17th century) London merchant
Turner, Samuel ( ?1749-1802) Asiatic traveller
Examples encoded in <ead>:
Note: for consistency amongst repositories, it is advisable to check the entry in the National Register of Archives before constructing new personal, family and corporate names.
