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Opinion: Local Columns

What's in a name

By WENDY MITCHELL

Friday, March 23, 2007 5:51 PM EDT

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Duplicates and dupes. Who do you really know?

I was born into the Smith family, but for as long as I can remember duplicate or similar names were a problem for our family. Just a mile down the same lane lived another Smith family and their patriarch had the same first initial as my dad. They swapped mail on a weekly basis until new 911 addresses differentiated them.

I believed my name was unique for the longest time, but within months of moving to Piqua I became the target of a billing company that had evidently had a Wendy Smith on its books who had lived in Cynthiana for several years. A check of the records cleared up the confusion with their apologies. After all I had proof of living elsewhere for the previous five years.

Smith is a nightmare name. Ask anyone checking on genealogy that contains the name.

Google Wendy Smith and you can find everything from a pop culture idol to a book reviewer in California.

When I moved from Florida to New York, years ago, I discovered that my previous post office box had contained junk mail from Florida businesses where I had credit cards. Though my actual accounts were not being used. Someone used my name and old address to open new accounts at the same places; when the companies tried to merge the billing I discovered the problem. You have no idea how long it takes to convince a business that most single women would not purchase personal athletic support items (among other male clothing) made for men. Luckily my SS number saved me there. The false accounts did not have the right number.

Then I got married, dropped the middle initial and maiden name, and later became an EMT-First Responder; that was when I learned that another Wendy Mitchell lives in this region. Talk about confusing, she is also an EMT, though not the same territory. But I occasionally got calls referring to information on incidents she was associated with.

Rooster sometimes has the same problems; at one time his given name, R.B., was listed on no less than three other patients at the same medical group. Can you say billing nightmare. Thank heaven for Social Security numbers and the fact that I am pretty sure he has no need for an OB-GYN.

A friend of ours had the same first initials with a family member of theirs who was of dubious talents, one involved procuring the relative's checks and life information for financial gain. Though hard feelings prevailed the relative was too good-hearted to prosecute.

When a felonious personality discovers a way to use their name, or another's, to their advantage is often hard to do much until they are caught red handed.

Name games have been going on for centuries. Those who play them hopefully get caught. Those who are hurt by them should have the solid backing of the courts to prosecute, including requiring annual photographs, for life, of the offender.

If you think you are unique go to http://howmanyofme.com, Carrie Carlson pointed me to it; you can get a rough count of how many people share your name.

Sign me one of 444 Wendy Mitchells nation wide.

I did lower the odds by getting married, there are at least 2,791 Wendy Smiths out there.

We will talk about the lady in Fleming County who LOOKS like me some other time, poor dear.

Contact Wendy Mitchell at wendy.mitchell@lee.net or call 564-9091, ext. 276.

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