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Archiver > WESSEX-PLUS > 2001-11 > 1004691835


From: John Lewis <>
Subject: Re: [WSX] 1841 Census Somerset
Date: Fri, 2 Nov 2001 09:03:55 +0000
References: <004c01c1634a$4ba63cc0$af528890@nsw.bigpond.net.au>
In-Reply-To: <004c01c1634a$4ba63cc0$af528890@nsw.bigpond.net.au>


On Fri, 2 Nov 2001 13:58:43 +1100
"Cameron" <> wrote:

> Unfortunately, I have also seen her name spelt 'Willment' and 'Wilmot'
> - but I think the spelling above is the correct one.

Don't forget that in the period covered by parish registers (up to the
1860s at least) there is no such thing as 'correct' spelling.

Names were written by the literate clergy and parish clerks who possibly
weren't familiar with local dialects, so wrote down what they _heard_
and this could mean several variations in spelling of the surname for
each member of a family as they were baptised.

The baptism registers were possibly written up several days or even
weeks after the event and the ordinary parishioner didn't ever see the
register. Itinerant 'Independant Church' ministers could easily record
an event in the wrong or even multiple parishes if his memory or notes
weren't very good.

When printed Marriage Registers were introduced there was provision for
the couple and their witnesses to sign the register but often this
simply meant they put a cross where told to, even when we have other
evidence they could write their name.

After the introduction of Civil Registration, birth certificates plus
more people becoming literate meant they could see and read how their
names got spelt and standardisation (or deliberate variation to
distinguish one family in a village from their cousins or for snob
value) crept in.

--
John Lewis <> from Bournemouth, Dorset, UK
using Mandrake GNU/Linux 8.0 and Geneweb genealogy software

Main Family Names in HAM are:
Kingsclere area: BUTLER, COOPER, FISHER, FOSTER
Hazeley Heath: BARKER

Main Family Names in GLA are:
Vale of Glamorgan: GRIFFITH
Rumney: LEWIS
Aberdare: HOPKINS & JENKINS
and CMN: HOPKINS & DAVIES

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