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Archiver > PALANCAS > 1999-07 > 0931496986


From: "Nelson R. Sulouff" <>
Subject: Re: [PALANCAS-L] Use of middle name?
Date: Thu, 08 Jul 1999 23:09:46 -0600


wrote:
>
> Hi all,
> Was if a common practice in the 1700s for Pennsylvania Dutch to be called
> by their middle name rather than their first given name? I know this was
> case in some parts of the South.
> Best regards,
> David

/////////////////////////////////////////////////

In the 18th and 19th centuries it was common practice in Germany and
among Pennsylvania Germans that both male and female children were
baptized with a first name that was from the Bible or was the name of a
Christian saint. The child's second name was the name by which they were
usually known within both family and community.

Nelson R. Sulouf

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