Thank you for the interesting lesson on German naming patterns. That probably explains why my grandfather was known as Karl, Carl or even Charles - although I never discovered his middle name, so far. His father's name was Carl, and his 1st son was Carl. My father's name was Ernst Albert, and at home he was called Ernst; when he met and married my mother, he became Albert. I had always known him to be Albert Ernest. Naturally, his first son was named Ernest Albert ... incredible. It's good to get the history of these naming patterns. Thanks so much. Marie --------------------------------- Do you Yahoo!? The New Yahoo! Search - Faster. Easier. Bingo.