Richard A. O'Keefe wrote:
> Jimmie Houchin <jhouchin at texoma.net> has now explained his
> problem a bit more.
> 	I wasn't going to mention such but it seems beneficial to clarify 
> 	things. I am a licensed Funeral Director. I fill out legal certified 
> 	documents. They have certain data criteria.
> 	
> AH *HAH*.  Now all becomes clear.  You aren't modelling a person at all.
> The thing you are REALLY modelling is a *FORM*.
> 
> (I'm a little unclear on the concept of "legal name".  My father (R.I.P.)
>  was a lawyer, taught law in two countries, wrote many law textbooks, and
>  told me on more than one occasion that someone can call themselves
>  anything they want as long as it isn't with intent to defraud.  Your
>  birth certificate may say "Phillip Arthur George McDonald Fraser McKie"
>  but you can call yourself "Bill McGonagle", even in contracts, without
>  having to inform the government.  I have no idea what USA law might be.)

Birth Certificates, Death Certificates, probably Marriage Certificates 
(it's been 20 years since I applied for one :), Government issued forms 
of ID, personal tax documents, etc. normally require the official or 
legal name of the individual.

[snip] 	
> Right.  You are not modelling social reality, you are modelling
> official forms.

No it is modeling social reality. I have a place for "Bubba" should that 
be necessary.

This incessant divorcing of *legal reality* from the attributes of the 
Person and Social reality is silly.

Legal names *are* an attribute of each Person.
Legal identities are a part of all of reality inclusive of *social reality*.

Everyone on this list knows me by my legal first name and legal last 
name. That has been the case for the 9 or 10 years I've been on the 
internet. I've had no desire to hide behind false identities. I would 
suspect that is true for many of us here.

My legal name is my social identity. I've never gone by anything else. 
Many, many (most) people have the same experience.

Because someone may have other *legal in some senses* identities does 
not invalidate nor relegate their *official legal identity* to some less 
than worthy classification. Oh, thats only form data. No, it is a part 
of who they are, regardless of other choices or decisions they make 
regarding their personal label.

Most people experience only a small segment of their society. I get to 
fill out information on the whole of society. (no that doesn't imply 
every race, creed or nationality)

Every part of society comes through our doors. The banker, the poor man, 
the illiterate man, the Attorney, the criminal, the Pastor, the atheist 
(which had a Preacher preach their service :).

I can go through thousands of records (all of which contain much more 
than just the *legal name*) and demonstrate factual reality regardless 
of legal technicalities.

I've never seen anyone have to decide, Oh golly, which name am going to 
use for this.

Anyway enough of my ranting. :)

Thanks for the many valid suggestions and eye opening issues that can 
really occur for which I should be aware. That is why I posted. There 
are people here with real world experience in modeling these things and 
have valid real world advice. You are one whom I respect greatly.

It seems I do need to model my forms, but they won't be the Person 
object. :)

Thanks again. Not that you would, but don't fear engaging in lively 
conversation. Its good for both sides. But of course the son of an 
Attorney would know that. :)

Jimmie Houchin