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From: Alan Bloor <>
Subject: Re: Nephew double meaning
Date: Sat, 10 Jan 2004 10:39:50 +0000
References: <Z%CLb.429$ir1.2691@newsfep4-glfd.server.ntli.net> <58euvv8in0aob0772p8n9fpfrfsv8dgnmv@4ax.com>


On Fri, 09 Jan 2004 23:51:46 +0000, Don Aitken <>
wrote:

>On Fri, 9 Jan 2004 19:08:42 -0000, "W Johnson"
><> wrote:
>
>>I thought I'd just post a fact that some may not be aware of, that probably
>>roughly up to the 17th century nephew could also mean grandson(as in the
>>will of Thomas Sackville 1st Earl of Dorset).
>>
>Just one of many terms that have changed meaning. We seem to do "son"
>meaning son-in-law and "son-in-law" meaning stepson quite often.
>Another one which can confuse is "family", which, right up to the 18th
>century, can include servants and dependants as well as relatives. And
>"friends" often *does* mean relatives.

This is interesting as it might help to clear up a problem in my tree.
I have the wills of two brothers who died in 1761 and 1781. Mentioned
in both wills is a lady, Elizabeth Woodward (daughter of Ellen Mee).
One brother (Thomas) says she is his niece, the other (John) claims
her as his cousin. I have two possible theories

1. She is Thomas' grandaughter and John's great niece

2. She is great niece to both, being the granddaughter ot Thomas &
John's sister Anne (this is possible because John's will stipulates
that Elizabeth should get her legacy after the decease of his siter
Anne).

I have not found any baptism records to support either of these
theories.

Is this feasible? If nephew could be used for grandson then I assume
niece could be used for grandaughter. But would "cousin" be used for
great niece? Your opinions would be very welcome. Someone else who has
looked at this tree claims that Elizabeth really is Thomas' niece,
being the daughter of his sister Ellen. However, this would mean that
Ellen gave birth at the age of 59, which is pretty far fetched

Alan

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