Hi Meg, Bess is a nickname for Elizabeth. And Elizabeth and Isabella are used interchangeably in Ireland (or at least in the northern counties); I've also seen Arabella used for Isabella, just in case you come across that variant in another record. So, yes, an Irish Bess could easily be an Isabella in some records. Hope that helps. Claire K [email protected] Plan now! FGS '08 "Footprints in Family History" 3-6 September 2008, Philadelphia, PA http://www.fgsconference.org On Aug 11, 2008, at 1:56 AM, Meg Greenwood wrote: > ...The > target family I've been scrutinizing in the 1841 census is headed by a > Bess CRAWFORD age 60 born Ireland. ...Since there were 4 > young girls at that address with her [Jane 26, Isabella 18, Mary 16 & > Jemima 14], I'd thought they were daughters so I had a researcher > follow > one of them, Jemima CRAWFORD. She wed William TURNER...Her > parents were noted as James CRAWFORD and Isabella CRAWFORD ms LYALL. > ...However, would a Bess be an > Isabella ?....