I've seen some correspondence on this issue, re: denominational
spellings. I believe that the following information may be helpful. It
is from "The Descendants of James Carrell and Sarah Dungan, His Wife" -
Compiled by Ezra Patterson Carrell, 1928, Iowa Historical Library - Des
Moines, IA. Mr. Carrell writes:
"While there can be no doubt that the Carrolls and Carrells (1) sprang
from a common ancestry, the time of their separation, in spite of much
research, had never been determined. The author is of the OPINION (my
emphasis) that it was during the religious wars in Ireland, in the latter
part of the sixteenth century, wars which culminated in the Siege of
Londonderry. Certain it is that in the records of our family the
spelling is Carrell. Of those portions of the family who have still
retained their residence in the vicinity of Bathmullen where the family
originated, the MAJORITY (my emphasis) spell their name Carrell."
Carrell's footnote: "(1) The difference in the spelling of the name seems
to be a denominational one, as those spelling the name with an "o" were
ALMOST (my emphasis) invariably Roman Catholics, while those who spelled
it with an "e" were Presbyterian."
My own comments: It seems to me that the references to the spelling
difference is simply a matter of OBSERVANCE of some trends in the early
history of our family. Certainly such cannot be a rule that would hold
true in every Carr?ll spelling.
IMHO -
Jim Carroll
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James H. Carroll - jamescarroll(a)juno.com
Visit my Website, OUR KIN: A Family History Collection, found at
http://members.aol.com/hamcarroll/ourkin/index.htm
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