. Their children usually don't take this name, however, but take the father's name. (Imagine if Algernon Doe-Jones married Maryellen Stephenson-Katzenellenbogen-- would they become Algernon and Maryellen Doe-Jones-Stephenson-Katzenellebogen?)
the children primarily take the father's name in these cases? really? i'm not sure i've seen any married couples hyphenate their own names then grant but one of them to their children. in fact, in the cases of hyphenization i've seen, it's the children who take the hyphenated name, regardless of whether the parents themselves retain just their name or add their spouse's (BTW, does anyone know the norm as far as whose name goes first?).
so just think, in the case you cite above if neither of the parents chose to hyphenate but they wanted to give their children the honor of both names, you'd have to address your christmas cards to Doe-Jones, Stephenson-Katzenellenbogen and Doe-Jones-Stephenson-Katzenellebogen
hi M
