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Archiver > IL-CIVIL-WAR > 2000-03 > 0953959538


From: "Dick" <>
Subject: Re: [IL-CIVIL-WAR] Greatgrand Father
Date: Fri, 24 Mar 2000 22:45:38 -0600


It's a rather sad commentary on our current age that we have evolved from
recent literacy to literalness. The latter is a vice. During the time of
the Civil War, few were literate and none were so literal as we have become.
I oftimes suggest that folks depart from the given spelling of surnames and
try looking for variations in spelling and letter arrangements. Sometimes
this may be profitable. For example if I transposed the name from Solomon
France to Francis Solomon and I got: SOLOMON, FRANCIS M PVT A 25 IL
US INF GEORGETOWN. I tried some other spellings and arrangements
without success. Needless to say, Prophetstown, near Sterling is quite a
ways from Georgetown, near Danville. But this is simply an example of my
suggestion. I have experienced the foregoing phenomenon with my McLean
ancestors whose names have been, Maclean, MacLane, McClean, MacClain, etc.,
etc., etc. This is how I became aware that we are far to literal in this
day and age.

Regards,

Dick Hudson

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