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Archiver > IRL-GALWAY > 2005-01 > 1105201704


From: "Ken & Judy" <>
Subject: RE: [GALWAY] Kathleen vs Cathleen
Date: Sat, 8 Jan 2005 08:40:47 -0800
In-Reply-To: <1ab.2f77387a.2f114ed6@aol.com>


When my English ancestors immigrated to the USA, (a couple with eleven
children, some of them grown), two of the four daughters changed their first
name: From Hannah to Marie and from Jemima to Ann.

When my Irish ancestors immigrated to the USA, one son dropped the name with
which he was baptized, and began using another first name.

It has always been my belief that those who were dissatisfied with their
given name took the opportunity of their immigration to make changes.

Re the Katherine/Catherine discussion earlier, my grandmother (born in 1864
in USA) was named Katherine. She "married well", and when her husband began
campaigning for political office (after 1900), she became Catherine.
Perhaps the latter spelling seemed more "upscale" and probably less like she
was the daughter of famine immigrants - which she was.


Judy


Hello.
I don't think this helps, but i had a cousin born in Galway,
Ireland and her name was Catherine, but when she arrived in the states in
1923
she wnet by the name Kathleen. Can anyone explane why she would of changed
her
name to Kathleen?

Best wishes
Bob




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