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We know that different branches of the family spell their name differently, some as Stilwell (3-L) and some as Stillwell (4-L). Such researchers as John Edwin Stillwell used the 4-L spelling throughout all his volumes. The British usage is just as consistent in using the 3-L spelling. As a contemporary practical matter, one consistent spelling makes it more simple to find people in a computer database.

Some in our branch of the family have used the 3-L spelling, such as Isaac (“Pony,” as he was called), my great-uncle John, and others. In fact, our own ancestor, William Henry, sometimes used the 3-L spelling in his signature. However, in other instances his name is recorded with the 4-L spelling. My grandfather, Harry, regularly used the 4-L spelling, as best I can tell.

In the database records Mrs. Ladd and I are keeping, we use the 4-L spelling. However, in this album I have attempted to use the spelling that the person being presented used. That leads to some inconsistencies, as a close observer will see, but it may also reflect a tiny bit of the family history.

Neither spelling is right or wrong. It seems to me to boil down to a matter of family tradition, consistency of usage, and personal preference. Fortunately, the sounds are exactly the same, both to the ear and in the soundex codes, and it is unlikely that anyone who knows something of the family history will be misled by the variations. However it is spelled, the Stil/lwell name applies to an interesting and productive family.

Please know that our spelling preferences are matters of convenience and consistency, with no intent of a "right" or "wrong" spelling. In this set of photo albums I have tried to reflect spelling variations as best I know them. If I have confused more than I have helped, please forgive me, ignore the spelling, and think about the people being presented. It may also help to remember that not many decades ago almost everyone spelled by sound, as can readily be observed in census records.

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