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. Cheryl singhals@erols.com