Well, this certainly changes things...:) the exception must have been the Coats families...<g> Char Let's see Rev Will: First son: James - Rev Will's father Second son: William - Nancy's father Third son: was that Wilson? oops wrong father...<g>... First daughter: Mary - Nancy's mother - that would be right Second daughter: Rachel - father's mother - I think this could be correct as well... Boy, the males just don't fall in line though.... ----- Original Message ----- OLD NAMING PATTERNS >The first son was named after the father's father. >The second son was named after the mother's father. >The third son was named after the father. >The fourth son was named after the fathers eldest brother. >The first daughter was named after the mother's mother. >The second daughter was named after the father's mother. >The third daughter was named after the mother. >The fourth daughter was named after the mothers eldest sister, always. ALSO: 2nd wife's oldest daughter named after the first wife, using her full name. Children after those listed above were usually named after a favorite relative with some possible exceptions: If a child died in infancy, a later child might be given the same name. When a newly ordained minister baptized his first child, if that child were a boy, he would be named for the minister, if a girl, she would receive his surname as her middle name. If a child were fostered, usually because of being orphaned, he may be named for the foster parent. If you are sure that you have the earliest birth or baptisms and that they are in the correct order then, if John's first son is named Charles and his second daughter is named Elizabeth then John's parents must be Charles and Elizabeth.___________________________________________________________ Get more from your time online. FREE MSN Explorer download : http://explorer.msn.com