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Archiver > NY-IRISH > 2006-06 > 1151538996


From: "Gerry Eberwein" <>
Subject: RE: [NY IRISH] Pronouncing Names
Date: Wed, 28 Jun 2006 16:56:36 -0700
In-Reply-To: <000401c69b01$e1b70b60$41233618@HIGGINS>


Don't know about the mid 1800's but earlier there was a requirement for an
oath to the king/queen required of everyone over a certain age. Several
parents swore the kids were under that age (even if they were almost
sprouting beards) to avoid making thee kids lie and the longer time it would
take to ship out. Your idea of a cheaper fare also sounds good.

Researching the family of Orson Burgess and Elizabeth O'Bolger (New England
& North Atlantic States) and their lineage - wherever they may be.

CLARK, BURGESS, MACK, FELTON METCALF, O'BOLGER, SLAYTON, WATKINS & WHITNEY
Gerald Eberwein
PO Box 605
Naco AZ 85620-0605
(520) 432-1231


-----Original Message-----
From: Clare Higgins [mailto:]
Sent: Wednesday, June 28, 2006 3:26 PM
To:
Subject: [NY IRISH] Pronouncing Names

Speaking of names, my great-great-grandfather, Maurice Higgins (1820-1878),
never learned to read or write. In my grandfather's family history notes, my
GGF's first name is spelled "Maurice," but in copies of New York census
records I've obtained, it's "Morris." I think that the census taker asked my
GGF how his name was spelled and GGF of course didn't know, so the census
taker had to take a guess. I've also seen Maurice's wife's name written both
as "Kathryn" and "Catherine." She never learned to read or write either. How
do Irish people pronounce the name "Maurice?" (I've heard that they
pronounce "Michael" as "Mik-hail.")

Also, Maurice came over to the U.S. by himself in 1849 and then sent for his
wife and three sons to come over in 1853. His eldest son's name appears on
the passenger list as "Maurice Huggans." Catherine also gave her sons' ages
as being younger than they were, probably to get a cheaper fare.

Is it true that some people back then weren't even sure how old they
themselves were, since they never learned numbers, counting or calendars? Of
course the churches recorded baptismal dates but that wouldn't help the
folks who couldn't read them!

Clare Higgins


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