> Maria Kelley wrote: > > > > > You are correct in your thinking. When naming started one name was > > > all they had so to distingish it became NAME SON OF NAME or NAME AP > > > NAME or Johnson or Johnsdatter or Name Verch Name. Actually it was > > > a good way as you always knew the fathers name that way. > > > > > > Deana Smith "Dora Smith" <deanae@alltel.net> > > > > Boy, wouldn't that make our researching easier now??? > > > > Jane Hodges-Kuebler > > Uh, no, not really, according to several of my friends who are > researching in patronymic-usage countries. :( > > Karin is Jansdottar, but there are 8 Jans in the Parish. WHICH one > is her father? Of the 8, 4 are married to women named Maria, which > of the 4 sets are her parents? > > Patronymics change the shape of the problem, they don't change the > basic problem itself. > > "Singhals" <singhals@erols.com> luckily some of the Danish parishes are very small I am researching an 1823 born Jacob and he appears in multiple records for example the conscription books, lægd, with his fathers name too But in the parish register in the name column it just says Jacob every one knew who was his father and mother with only two or three births a year in the tiny community. he went on to be a staff sergeant in the 3rd Squadron of the 5th regiment of Dragoons Hugh W "Hugh Watkins" <hugh_watkins@net.dialog.dk>