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Archiver > GERMANNA_COLONIES > 2001-05 > 0989853901


From: John Blankenbaker <>
Subject: Re: [GERMANNA] (1166)Germanna Colonies, History of
Date: Mon, 14 May 2001 11:30:11 -0400
References: <5.0.2.1.0.20010512072225.01b6eac0@POP.pipeline.com>
In-Reply-To: <00dc01c0dc80$7e96a3a0$996ba241@Hiwaay.net>


At 09:16 AM 5/14/01 -0500, Frank Cockran wrote:
>Are the names "Johann" and "Hans" used for the same person? I have seen
>arguments that Hans is a diminutive of Johann, and I have seen other
>arguments that they are very different names and are not interchangeable.

Yes, they are used for the same person. I believe my ancestor was born
(christened) as Hans but married as Johann. The mayor of Gresten today has
the name Johann but he goes by Hans. No one distinguishes the two names
and regard it as pompous to insist on Johann which is reserved for formal
occasions. Yet, some people here (myself included) do not use Jack but
encourage the use of John.
John Blankenbaker

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