Vaclav may not equate to James, however, the change was made for one reason or another and all my Vaclav's became James by their own hand. Researching church records displays many name changes that were made -- perhaps thru the church encouragement? We do not know. The first time I saw a direct proven relationship to "Vaclav" and "James" was in a church record which had written the names of the parents (Father: Vaclav) and above "Vaclav" was written "James." It seems that in Chicago, Vaclav became James. Joan Smart Peterson ----- Original Message ----- From: "Ron Mlejnek" <rvmlejnek@navix.net> To: <CZECH-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Wednesday, May 19, 2004 8:59 PM Subject: Re: [CZ] "W" > This might be one of those "urban legends", but I remember corresponding > with a instructor in Slavic Languages many years ago who told me that "old" > Czech (perhaps old Slavic) did have a "W" and it was the same as a > "V". The modern Czech language does not use the "W", but it is still > carried on in many names. For example, look at any list of surnames in the > Czech Republic and one will see the "W" used a lot and interchangeably with > "V". > > Part of my Czech family came from Moravia near the Slovak border and the > incidence of names beginning with a "W" is much greater in that region than > around Prague. > > As for Wenzel and Vaclav, I think Wenzel is German and Vaclav is uniquely > Czech. Wenceslas is English for Wensel/Wenzel and there is no English > equivalent for Vaclav. > > And no, James does not equal Vaclav! > > For a better understanding: > > http://www.lmp.ucla.edu./profiles/profc02.htm > > Ron Mlejnek > > At 07:05 PM 05/19/2004, you wrote: > > > > Someone recently mentioned that there is not a "W" in the Czech > >language. Where did the name Wenzel originate? > > > >Nancy > > > > > >==== CZECH Mailing List ==== > >The mailing list is configured to reply only to the list. If you are > >making a personal reply to a poster, it will be necessary to delete the > >list address and add the individual's address. > > > ==== CZECH Mailing List ==== > No off topic posts, flames, virus warnings, prayers, jokes, > chain letters, etc. Violators will be placed on message monitoring > and/or lose subscription privileges. > >