Iowa
Old Press
Sioux Valley News
Correctionville, Woodbury, Iowa
Thursday, Sept. 6, 1906
DON'T LIKE HIS NAME
North Riverside Man Prefers to be Called M'Nally instead of Kelly
SHORT ORDER CHANGE MADE
Under New Law Clerk of the Courts May Give a Man a New Surname
Without the Courts Acting in the Matter
Tells His History.
Sioux City Journal - The first man to take advantage of
the new law adopted by the Thirtieth general assembly of Iowa
making it more easily possible to change the surname, appeared in
the office of the clerk of the courts yesterday afternoon and
asked to have his name changed. Not for more than a year has a
similar request been made in Woodbury county. The applicant was
Joseph John Kelly. He will hereafter be known as Joseph John
McNally, for no longer is it necessary for the court to pass upon
this question. With the writing up of the record in the office of
the clerk of courts the man's name was changed and immediately
thereafter his formal petition was passed on to the county
recorder so that in all of the property records of the
county his name might appear differently. Under the new law for
changing ones name it is necessary for the applicant to file a
formal petition with the clerk of the courts setting out certain
details for proper recording. The personal description of the
applicant is given, even to the exact height, the color of hair
and eyes, the age and all other characteristic features. He must
give a brief history of his life and all the places of residence
during his life, together with the number of years spent at each
place. If he owns any real estate it must be listed and described
in detail. This statement of facts must be made under oath and
signed by the applicant together with the affidavit of some
resident freeholder. Mr. McNally resides at 1611 Nebraska street.
He was born in Dubuque, Ia, and has since lived in Minnesota and
Iowa. When but a small child he was adopted by
Mr. and Mrs. J.B. Kelly and since that time has gone by the name
of Kelly. His parents name was McNally.
[transcribed by C.J.L., July 2005]