This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: LLLEWIS Surnames: Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.georgia.counties.emanuel/140.3.1.1.2.2.1.1.2.1.2.2.1.2.1.1.1/mb.ashx Message Board Post: I did post "" I am looking for the family of Matthew Johnson b. abt 1782 in Johnson NC, present with his wife Naccy in Jefferson Co. in 1850.... His children that I have found so far are Lucretia, Francis and an unknown son who married Elizabeth....." and I remember why I thought Charles MIGHT be his father's name - it was based on the naming patterns of the boys and their birth orders. The first was named after someone who was a respected local politician, the second was named Charles, and the third boy was named after his wife's father, and the fourth was named after himself. This is consistent with one of the naming traditions of the south where the oldest is usually named after the paternal grandfather, the second after the maternal grandfather, and the third after the father. This differs from the tradition of naming the oldest boy after the father and the oldest girl after the mother, which is another naming pattern you typically see. Of course if someone did a big ! favour for you or saved your hide, or you wanted to show respect for them, you might start off naming your oldest boy after them, and then resume with the traditional naming order as it appears MIGHT have happened here. That this theory was confirmed by evidence from another person is terrific! Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.