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Archiver > SOUTH-AFRICA > 2007-12 > 1197542003


From: "John Brown" <>
Subject: Re: [SOUTH-AFRICA] Problem
Date: Thu, 13 Dec 2007 10:33:23 -0000
References: <01ab01c83cfe$978848b0$0100007f@homeg4v1nk7inw><003a01c83d22$a00677e0$af444879@your6ba88fde51><!&!AAAAAAAAAAAYAAAAAAAAAKsSyJfYmNREifYj+DCnFPvCgAAAEAAAAI+qpm2DYjhEimJXZCZpTisBAAAAAA==@ancestors.co.za><002401c83d4a$86975cc0$320110ac@DataXP2>


"Ron_Stanton" <> wrote :


> I was under the impression that Naming Traditions were strictly adhered to
> by our
> Ancestors.
>
> See: http://www.rootsweb.com/~genepool/naming.htm
> http://homepages.rootsweb.com/~hornbeck/naming.htm
> http://www.rootsweb.com/~miottawa/dutchrecords/namingpatterns.html
>
> For example, a British family would name their first born son would be
> named >after his father's father. If the first born son died, then the
> next son that was born
> would be named after his father's father also, to honor the grandfather.

There were various naming traditions, but none was 'strictly' observed.
Checking names between generations can be a pointer towards relationships
but it certainly cannot be taken as proof. It's also the case that these
naming patterns have largely died out from the mid-19th century onwards,
being replaced by alternatives such as giving a child a second or third
forename that refers back to an earlier family member.

The occurrence of unusual second or third forenames can often be an
indicator of the maiden surname of the mother, or of the father's mother; it
can also be an indicator of illegitimacy, in which case it will often be the
surname of the father.

It's important to realise that these are all 'indicators' and none can be
taken as proof without having much more knowledge of the family situation.

John B
Leic., Eng

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