My husband is getting into geneology stuff, but it's complicated. Please help!?

Question:

My husband is getting into geneology stuff, but it's complicated. Please help!?

Okay, my husband's parents cut off all ties to their relatives before he was born, so he only knows his parents and his mom's sister and her family.

His dad was born Potts, and was given up for adoption to an aunt, also named Potts. She married a Strickland, and he took that name. My husband has "Potts" as a third name, but his legal last name is Strickland. The adoptive "parents" (aunt/uncle) abused my father-in-law as a child, and he cut off all ties to them when he grew up.

My mother-in-law was a Harris, her mother was a Kletka. Her parents were drunks, she cut off ties to them for the most part, they've both passed away now.

My husband is kind of confused, wondering what he actually is.

If you were in the situation, who do you think you could feel more drawn to? Do other people have complicated roots that make them track down leads in all direction?

Additional Details

4 months ago
Maybe you're not understanding the question.

Maybe I have it in the wrong section.

Would you feel more drawn to the biological birth name, or an adoptive name of someone you don't like, or neither?

It's kind of an opinion poll deal.

First dude, thank you, that was an actual answer. You're well on your way to best answer just for not suggesting we travel to another state.

4 months ago
Clarification: My father-in-law is the one adopted by his aunt, who married a Strickland. He took the Strickland name at that time. His son (my husband) is a Strickland legally. He doesn't feel connected to it, though, even though it's his legal name.

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: 4 months ago
Maybe you're not understanding the question.

Maybe I have it in the wrong section.

Would you feel more drawn to the biological birth name, or an adoptive name of someone you don't like, or neither?

It's kind of an opinion poll deal.

First dude, thank you, that was an actual answer. You're well on your way to best answer just for not suggesting we travel to another state.