Talk:Merope Gaunt

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I'm wondering why the = sign was changed to a + sign? I thought = means married, which they were. What does + mean on a family tree?

• The + sign usually means there was no valid marriage contract between the two parties, though it can also mean a legal union without formal marriage vows; common law couples come to mind here. In this case I take it that the implication points to Merope and Tom Riddle Sr. never having been wed. (One could say that as the wedding occured while Riddle Sr. was under the influence of Merope's potion, he was of unsound mind at the time -- the perfect ploy to obtain an annulment, making Voldemort literally and figuratively a bastard.)
  • I'm not sure about this. Dumbledore called her "Merope Riddle" in the chapter "The secret Riddle", which does imply a wedding.
    • So they were in a marriage that Tom Riddle Sr. later had annulled. I'd like to think it was because the groom was under the influence and/or the wedding was a fraud, to a person who didn't exist (as a pureblood witch in a family like the Gaunts, it is unlikely there would be any record of Merope anywhere in the Muggle world until her marriage). That's my opinion, though I'd like to hear what others think.

[edit] Née vs. born

I think the more approriate use today is born, as the French spelling as slipped out of standard. TDS ^{(talk • contribs)} 21:43, 20 November 2005 (UTC)

Not really. 'Née' is still used in many, more traditional publications. It is certainly retained in Wikipedia's many articles on notable women up to and including the present day. Take a look at the former Camilla Parker Bowles, Lady Diana Spencer, Sarah Ferguson, and on a more relevant note, Lily Evans, any of the Black sisters, and Molly Prewett. Compare with Queen Noor, Courtney Cox, Audrey Hepburn and Letizia, Princess of Asturias, all of which use 'born'. I personally believe usage of 'née' or 'born' is dependant on the context of the passage, and that here 'née' would be more appropriate. -- 70.48.13.192 08:15, 27 November 2005 (UTC)