My own experience living in Germany, and in German-American communities in USA, indicates that when two given names are listed, the first is an honorific (not necessarily a Saint), the second is the familiar name. This has caused all kinds of problems. Public records keepers, for example in Pennsylvania Dutch country, were sometimes not familiar with German naming customs. Either the first or middle names could be recorded. German families traditionally named children for relatives. The same small group of familiar given names is used repetitiously by family tradition over several, perhaps many, generations. This is usually not a problem in many German cemeteries because of so few old burials. Rent is paid by the family for use of a cemetery plot for a limited number of years. At the end of that time a bill is sent to the family by the diocese, parish or public entity to renew the rent for a specified time. If such rent is not paid the remains are disinterred and placed in a charnel house (or church basement) or disposed of and the plot is reused. Small village cemeteries are generally more liberal on the length of the rental than are cemeteries in heavily populated areas where cemetery plots are at a premium. If there were not some controls much valuable land would be occupied by cemeteries. Thus, you may find a cemetery or parish record of a burial over a century ago, but there is no grave or marker to be found. Headstones can be recycled, or used for walkways or walls. Each country has it's own customs and laws regarding burials which are becoming less common. Cremations are becoming more common in Germany. D. M. Fehlings Renton, Washington, USA Tel: 425/255-8588 Dfehlings@aol.com