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From: "Barbara Mathews" <>
Subject: Re: [APG] Anglicizing Dutch Names
Date: Fri, 6 Feb 2009 11:28:56 -0500
References: <22860554.1233884164405.JavaMail.root@elwamui-polski.atl.sa.earthlink.net><8CB5685D4FEED6F-180-2DE4@WEBMAIL-MA06.sysops.aol.com>


I have a few non-Dutch examples (and plenty of Dutch examples from New
Amsterdam that have made me watch this thread assiduously).

My great grandfather from Eupen, the edge of Belgium that was in Prussia at
the time of his birth, was known here in the U.S. as Louis Jacques Pons. His
birth record is in German and calls him Thomas Ludwig Jacob Pons. His
baptism record is in the Latin versions of those three given names. Thank
goodness that Pons is Spanish in origin and easy to find in Belgium records.

It does point out that in various cultures there are saint's names that
often precede the given names. In LJP's case, that was probably Thomas. My
Danish great grandfather turns up as John George Christensen but almost
never used John. My sister's father-in-law was baptized Joseph Armand
Napoleon LaJoie and was always called Armand. In doing French-Canadian
research, your search isn't over until you have also checked the girl's name
under Marie etc. and the boy's name under Joseph etc.

One thing in Swedish and Danish research is to check the saint's day for
your person. The birth date you are finding could be their saint's day or
vice versa. So, little things to look for, things that we don't use often
today in mainstream American culture.

Barbara

Barbara

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