Multiple image files with the same name

Question

I have about 150 images that have been imported into a single lightroom folder that have the same name. These images are from a single event, so Id like to keep them together. The source files are in two different folders on my drive, but they all exist in one folder on lightroom. (for instance, I have two different images, both named CR-0917, both with different retouching). Initially, Lightroom allowed me to do all of my editing on all of the files in one place, even though the names were the same. I have since moved the source folders and files to a different location on my hard drive, but I can't update the files within the folder in lightroom, because lightroom chooses one source, so it gets about half the images right, and half wrong. I spent a ton of time retouching these images and I dont want to have to go back and redo it.
Is there a way to manually update the source information for each image, without Lightroom automatically using all of the images from a single folder? Or does anyone have any other ideas of what I can do? Please help...

Answer 1

I am puzzled about how this problem initially arised, too.
For the issue with several cameras I recommend the following:
1. If the camera lets you, specify a unique prefix so that each photo will have a unique name directly from camera.
E.g. Nikon lets you change their default prefix "DSC" to something else. As I even do not want to have recurring filenames after 10'000 shots I choose "yFL" as prefix, where y=number from 0..9, F=starting letter of ther first name of the camera owner, L=last name. Or other 2 digits that point to the camera model.
For current decade it is even nice to take y=1 for 2011 and so on. As I do roughly 10'000 shutters per year that fits about nicely. [Ok, as of 2020 I will use letters, too. 2046 I have to devise something else hoping that I will still be shooting photos with my same husband.]
2. If the camera does not facilitate such, as Canon: rename upon LR-import by putting a short prefix in front of the originial filename, e.g. yS90_, yG12_
I only want from a filename that it be unique in my household and that I have a rough idea where in sequence of time it may belong.
So if I get pictures from friends I put a prefix for them, too, while importing. Leaving the rest of their original filename is good for further communication about the pic.
I think usually LR takes more properties into account than just filename when deciding about duplicate, such as camera serial no., capture time etc.
Anybody who knows for sure?