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From: "Nancy Coleman" <>
Subject: Re: [APG] What do you call it?
Date: Sat, 16 Mar 2002 10:42:29 -0500
References: <00a801c1ccf5$ea260aa0$6ce4fe0c@attbi.com>


Cohort Genealogy? :)

Don't know about that one, Chad! <G>

I don't know about anyone else, but in my world the term
'cohort' has a common usage meaning with a slightly negative
or comical ring to it (as in "a conspiratorial" sense). An
accomplice. Ganging or banding together to effect something
or to go somewhere. Yes, technically, it could apply. But
I personally would not use that word.

In the strict sense, the old world meaning (IMHO) falls into
that category of army, company, party, etc., since its
origins is with the Roman Legions!

In some of the more modern definitions I've seen: an
enthusiastic "follower." Perhaps if the term were used in
relation to religious or philosophical following... But
even then, as Annette has pointed out, I would still
probably use "cluster" instead of "cohorts."

I don't know. In my lexicon the groups I refer to as
"clusters" are more family and economically linked and the
studies done are more anthropological in nature (as a group)
with genealogical principals being the method by which I
assemble the evidence of such group relationships and
migrations (vs. archaeological or anthropological physical
evidence methods).

Personally, I like the word "cluster." I have no problem
with it really. Whenever I have spoken about such things I
have not had to face blank stares from my audience. And, I
am rarely questioned on the concept. They "get it" right
away. So I use it. It seems their lexicon is the same as
mine, at least in my region.

To each his own... :) We genealogists (and our cohorts)
sure have a way with words, don't we?
Best regards. Nancy.
Nancy Coleman

http://www.genealogyPro.com/ncoleman.html

----- Original Message -----
From: "Chad Milliner" <>
To: <>
Sent: Saturday, March 16, 2002 9:21 AM
Subject: [APG] What do you call it?


Nancy, can I suggest the term cohort? Consider definitions
1c and 1d in the
online dictionary at Brittanica.com:

Main Entry: co·hort
Pronunciation: 'kO-"hort
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle French & Latin; Middle French cohorte,
from Latin cohort-,
cohors -- more at COURT
Date: 15th century
1 a : one of 10 divisions of an ancient Roman legion b : a
group of warriors
or soldiers c : BAND, GROUP d : a group of individuals
having a statistical
factor (as age or class membership) in common in a
demographic study <a
cohort of premedical students>
2 : COMPANION, COLLEAGUE <a few of their... cohorts decided
to form a
company -- Burt Hochberg>


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