Hi Barbara, This website gives variants on first names and says that Isobel is a variant of Elizabeth (seems to be a very useful site). http://www.whatsinaname.net/php/search.php?action=search28&search_name=elizabeth If you click on the Isobel link on this page you get all the variant spellings of Isobel that you've found. Did Isobel sign herself as Elizabeth, or is it the vicar/curate writing the name? I have instances of clergymen 'translating' names in the parish registers, either into Latin - Carolus for Charles, or into English - Evan Lewis in a Welsh register became John Lewis for a while until a new curate appeared, and then I was back to Evan again; fortunately for me he was married to Lowry and I could track the baptisms through her name. Regards, Ellie > Message: 5 > Date: Thu, 25 Mar 2010 22:05:48 -0700 (PDT) > From: Barbara Petura <barbara_petura@yahoo.com> > Subject: [ENG-SHROP] Elizabeth and Isobella in Shropshire > To: eng-shropshire-plus@rootsweb.com > Message-ID: <834545.51521.qm@web110408.mail.gq1.yahoo.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii > > Hello Karen, > Thank you for responding so quickly -- and with a similar situation. > That's helpful! I'd love to hear from any others about experiences with > variations in women's given names in records. Besides the usual spelling > variants. My Isabel is also Isabelle, Isabella and Isobella is records. > Those I understand... it's the change to Eliz. or Elizabeth that is > confusing. > Barbara