This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: Germanna Surnames: BAST, BOST Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.bost/245.1.1.3.1.1/mb.ashx Message Board Post: On 22 Dec 2007, KPUSSER said: >George, Both you and I know about German Lutheran naming >patterns, if his will names him as "Johannes Bast", and >he signs it as "Johannes Bast", that is sufficient for >me. Hello again Kent, Yes, you and I know about German naming patterns, but others may not know. I don't think it matters how he signs his name in his will -- his name in other "official" documents was "Johann Wilhelm". To put him into one's database as "Johannes" is misleading, and could cause many to be confused. He should have had the "Calling Name" of Wilhelm (or William in America), but for some reason he chose "Johannes". I think we'll never know WHY he wanted to be known as "Johannes". BTW, I have a German ancestor who had no middle name. His name was Johannes in all official documents in Germany. When he arrived in America, he was entered, first, in official records as "Johannes", then, eventually, as "John". Wasn't any ambuguity there. (GRIN) Keep in touch, George W. Durman [email protected] Knoxville, TN Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.