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From: <>
Subject: Welsh for Joan or Jane??
Date: Tue, 2 Nov 1999 10:51:15 EST

Hello all,

I wonder if someone versed in the Welsh language might be able to shed some
light on this family mystery for me.

There have been a couple of books published here in the States by people
researching my EATON family. They are divided on one major issue: WHO
originally came from Wales to Philadelphia? Some believe that a John and
JOAN Eaton first came from Wales in 1683 to join the Welsh Baptists in
Philadelphia. Then, this same group believes, a son, John Eaton came from
Wales in 1686 with a wife named JANE. The other group (I have to admit, I am
of this later group) believes there was only one John and wife, and that her
name has just been interpreted differently, sometimes as Joan, sometimes as
Jane, depending on the interpreter. Many of the source documents written
during their time in the Colonies (1683-1717)were originally in Welsh, so
much may have been left to the interpreter.

I just received church records for one of the Welsh Churches they attended in
the U.S. and there is only one entry for a John and wife joining the church,
BUT her name has been interpreted from Welsh to English as JUAN! Could there
be a Welsh name that could be translated as Joan, Jane or Juan, depending on
who wrote or read it? In these same records I also notice a few women with
the name Shuan, translated Jaen. In English, would this be Jean, Jane, Joan
or what?

Thanks. I hope this was not too confusing.

Cathey

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  • Re: Welsh for Joan or Jane?? by Pat Powell <>