Could it be that our "Northern" GEIGERS were mostly from Germany, period - although with some of them having Swiss roots a generation or two back (having emigrated earlier) - and thus would pronounce the name that way? And that the "Southern" GEIGERS came directly from SWT, were originally called GYGER - changed their name to GEIGER (prob. got tired of trying to explain the difference to their German neighbors in SC and GA) - but continued to pronounce it their way? We know that some ships dropped emigrant passengers at both Charleston and Phila. and we know of some GEIGERS who moved back and forth between north and south. And we know of one SC will that speaks of a brother in Germany, which is intriguing. Then Roland comes along and gives us "Gäijasch" to ponder over. <sigh> Anne ----- Original Message ----- From: Geraldine Towner <[email protected]> > Hi everyone, > I'm from Minnesota and we pronounce it like it rhymes with tiger. > Gerri >