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From: "Ron Nourse" <>
Subject: Re: [LAN] Naming Tradition Query in Lancashire
Date: Mon, 27 Dec 2004 10:02:48 -0000
References: <00ae01c4ebb4$617b07b0$ab165643@Dell2400>


Shelley

You asked: "Was wondering whether it was commonplace in the 1800s for
parents to name a child and then, if that child should unfortunately die in
the first few years, to name the next child that same name? Odd question I
know".

Great great grandparents of mine in Preston had eleven children between 1827
and 1849. Two of them were "Ann", two were "Sarah" and four were "George",
all of the repeats being the result of early deaths. In all, at least six,
possibly eight of their children died in infancy. This was of course at a
time when infant mortality in the town was probably at its very worst.

"George" was my 2G grandfather's name, and he was clearly determined that
his name
should live on. Even his fourth son George may have died quite young, by the
age
of about 30, probably pre-deceasing his father.

Repeating given names was a very strong tradition in that line. According to
my research so far, "Charles" first occurred in about 1772 (my 3G
grandfather), and was repeated at least once in every one of the next five
generations,
ending with my father, born in 1907. That first Charles had four sons, each
of whom named
his first son Charles.

No, I don't think it is an odd question - it's the way some folk
were in those days.

Ron




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