Generally, the terms "late", "formerly", and "heretofore" identify the mother's maiden surname. They are the equivalent of the modern-day "nee". For example, the following all mean the same thing - that Alice was a Turnbull before she got married:

• by his wife Alice late Turnbull
• by his wife Alice formerly Turnbull
• by his wife Alice heretofore Turnbull

If the mother has been previously married, both her maiden surname and her previously married surname might be listed. For example:

• 2nd daughter of Joseph James (miner, native of this parish) by his wife Jane Peart formerly Maughan (native of this parish, widow of George Peart)

In this baptism, the relationships are clearly stated - Jane Maughan first married George Peart, then she married Joseph James. Sometimes, however, the relationships may be written in a more confusing, terser format, like this:

• by his wife Jane late Peart heretofore Maughan
• by his wife Jane Maughan late Peart

In such cases, "heretofore" should be read as "and before that" , so the "heretofore" name is the maiden surname and the "late" name is the previous married surname. In the 2nd format, 'heretofore' is not used and the order of the names is reversed, but the 'late' name is still the previously married surname, so the other name is the maiden surname.

We have seen clerics mix up the 'late' and 'heretofore' names, so you would always want to verify your assumptions with some detective work, finding the relevant marriages.

If the word "late" occurs before the mother's given name, as in:

• daughter of James Steel and the late Susan Brown

it means Susan is dead.

You might want to check out the associated topic "Why does the mother's maiden surname vary across several baptisms when I know these children were all born to the same mother?"