In regard to the latest messages mentioning Nicholas Fry and the German naming system. You never know where these stories come from, but my sources tell me that the occurrence of Johannes/Johan and Anna/Marie or Maria, was supposed to have been in honor of the King and queen at the time and yes it was only an honorarium and was dropped, in everyday use. Of course the dictionary says Hans is Jack, - but before it gets to Jack it is John. Jack is an everyday form of John like Harry is an every day form of Henry. Hans in the Netherlands is Hannes, it becomes John in English usage. As for Nicholas himself, sorry but those little stories on families found in the Heritage Books are written down by folks who remember them from the tales of their elders who heard them from their elders. There is a measure of truth in every one but they need deep researching and lots of latitude so far as accuracy is concerned. Those heritage books and all other biographical sketch type books are often referred to as "Wish Books" - translation "I wish my family were as wonderful/wealthy/flawless as I have depicted here". Most of us could duplicate them with little effort. If anyone ever had a bad moment or a skeleton in the closet, it is never detailed in these books, nothing wrong with thinking well of your family but they are always too good to be true. Folks have been researching Nicholas Fry for generations, his still remains an elusive history. One of the reasons is that some of the records in the southern states have been destroyed or not been made available to examine. Not everyone understands that the pile of papers left by Uncle Julian or great grandmother Hattie could be of any value to the general public or would be willing to share what they consider personal documents. I know how this works, I have learned from personal experience how determined some families to keep family affairs within the family. God willing one of you will untangle this Nicholas Fry mess - and I hope I am aware of it when it happens. Onward and upward! Agnes Cloninger