Dorithie Denn writes: >I am researching the name of MADG(E)N mainly living in the >Alston/Nenthead and surrounding areas. >I have recently been contacted by a young lady who is >researching the name of MADG(I)N in the same areas, >though I must say that some of them appear to have >slid down to Northumberland. Can anyone tell me if >these two families could in some way be related. Am I right in thinking that you are asking about the difference in spelling? The variant spelling of Madg(e)n and Madg(i)n isn't enough to make the families distinct. After all, before the twentieth century large sections of the population were illiterate and didn't know how their name should be spelt! I get this all the time with people who (annoyingly) spell me as Dickenson rather than Dickinson (I don't think they are illiterate though!). Chris chris@dickinson.uk.net