The "List Dad" from another list of mine sent this along about naming
patterns and also cousin relationships, which has always confused most
people. So, I am passing the gift on to you.
Happy holidays,
Beth Marcheschi
Valencia, California
Here it is:
Sometime ago I did issue a list of naming patterns, anyway, as quite
a few new members have since joined the list, perhaps the following
gleamed from other lists may be of help.
Meanwhile, may I take this opportunity of wishing all members who
are researching the surname BOND, a very MERRY CHRISTMAS
and a HAPPY NEW YEAR.
I hope you all have great success in the future, and if I can be of
assistance please remember to drop me a line.
All the very best and kindest regards to all your families.
Peter,
Chester UK.
English Naming Traditions
1st son = father's father
2nd son = mother's father
3rd son = father
4th son = father's 2nd oldest brother or mother's oldest brother
1st daughter = mother's mother
2nd daughter = father's mother
3rd daughter = mother
4th daughter = mother's oldest sister
5th daughter = mother's 2nd oldest sister or father's oldest sister
Naming Traditions
At Baptism,(Christening) the child is given two names in addition to his
surname. This custom was derived from the
Roman Catholic and continued in the later Protestant sects. The First Name
of the child was usually a spiritual name, taken from a favourite saint. The
Second name was the child's name to be used in everyday life. Often you will
see a family of eight children, with all five of the male children being
called John______ Webster, John ______ Webster, etc ,etc,etc. Three girls in
the same family would be called Maria_______Webster, Maria_______ Webster,
Maria ____ Webster. The only discriminating feature besides the actual Date
of Birth will be what we refer to as the
middle name. So, in studying this family group, look at the Fritz, Conrad,
Wilhelm, Peter, or George.-----you'll see Anna, Kirsten, and Catharina. The
reason this is significant, is that if you are looking at legal documents,
you may find a Baptism record with John Conrad Webster and continue with
your search looking for and FINDING John Webster. He will be the wrong
ancestor! You should have been looking for Conrad Webster all along, as that
is how he is referred to in every legal document signed or written about
him. That "John Webster" who was so easy to
find ( because, of course, he's NOT the one you need.) has a spiritual/first
name of Phillip as do the rest of his brothers.
-------------------
The Scottish custom is
1st son after father's father
2nd son after mother's father
3rd son after father
The rest ... the postman, the vicar, the milkman, ..., anyone else
they could think of.
1st daughter after mother's mother
2nd daughter after father's mother
3rd daughter after mother,
others ... whatever.
--------------------------
Regarding cousins
The "cousin" relationship is always one more then the common "great"
ancestor relationship, so people with a common 3 x great-grandparent
would be 4th cousins to each other. (3 greats + 1 = 4th cousins)
Simple?
Just remember:
* 1st cousins always share a common grandparent (0 great=1st)
* 2nd cousins always share a common great-grandparent (1 great=2nd)
* 3rd cousins always share a common 2nd great-grandparent (2 great=3rd)
* 4th cousins always share a common 3rd great-grandparent. (3 great=4th)
etc.
*1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc. Cousins are always of the same generation.
---------------------------------
"REMOVED" COUSINS:
*Cousins NOT of the same generation are cousins "removed".
The number of times a cousin is "removed" depends on the number of
generations "away" they are.
Example:
"1st cousin once removed" being the child of your 1st cousin.
"1st cousin twice removed" being the grandchild of your 1st cousin.
*This is true of PRECEDING generations of cousins as well.
(Though not with 1st cousins since their parents and grandparents would be
aunt/uncles and grandparents)
Example:
While the child of your "2nd Cousin" is your "2nd Cousin once
removed"
(being one generation "removed" from yours).....
the parent of your "2nd cousin" is ALSO your "2nd cousin once
removed"
because they are one generation "removed" from your generation as well.
*Someone who is a 1st cousin to any of your direct lineage family
members.....
(persons you directly descend from your grandparents, your
great-grandparents, etc.)
is a 1st cousin to you, but are "removed", of course.
Example:
The "1st cousin" of your great-grandparent is:
"1st cousin once removed" to your grandparent
"1st cousin twice removed" to your parent
"1st cousin thrice removed" to you
"1st cousin 4 times removed" to your child and so on.