Hi Sue
Oddly, my father's family used a strange quote that, "the Welsh were the
lost tribe of Israel." I think they were such God fearing and Bible reading
people that they named their children Biblical names out of respect and
honor.
I am still researching the Elias name. As of this date, I don't have very
much. I understand the name is common, but we can still look for that
connection!
I will advise if anything turns up.
Good Luck!!
Shawn
From: ELIASSFK(a)aol.com
To: MONMOUTHSHIRE-L(a)rootsweb.com
Subject: [Mon] ELIAS family, Monmouth
Date: Mon, 29 Apr 2002 15:15:25 EDT
Shawn:
Thanks for the info on your ELIAS family. As far as I know at present, my
ELIAS family did not venture further into Wales than Monmouth, but you
never
know what I might find! I certainly was not aware that my GG grandfather
William was born in London, so who knows. I do not yet know anything about
him other than the fact that he was born in 1833, was married to Charlotte,
who was born in Monmouth, and he was a plasterer by trade. If I track him
and siblings down, I will let you know in case there is a tie-in.
I have been told that official surnames were adopted later in Wales than
England, and there was a practice of calling someone XX son of XX (in Welsh
ab or ap, I think?). Elias is apparently a fairly common first name in
Wales, so perhaps the Welsh Elias surname is in part derived from that
practice. I am sure someone on the list will know much more about this
than
me - in fact I suspect everyone on the list will know more about it than
me!
A very general search of the internet has led me to wonder whether the
London
Elias family is of Jewish origin. Unfortunately the only living relative I
have who might be able to help is not being very helpful. Do others have
this problem?
Good luck with your searches,
Sue Elias
Birmingham
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