In the eighteenth century the term 'in-law' almost invariably means 'step'. In the nineteenth century the use of the term was becoming more varied though, as Jeff rightly says, it frequently means 'step' in census returns. Now, of course it never carries the connotation of 'step'. Yet another fascinating indication of how the language is constantly changing. Best wishes Michael 8:55, Jeff Coleman wrote: > Certainly son-in-law could mean stepson. This is not uncommon in census > records. > > Jeff > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Jeff & Jolynn Barneck" <[email protected]> > To: <[email protected]> > Sent: Monday, October 07, 2013 3:31 AM > Subject: [GLA] Use of the term mother-in-law in 1729 > > >> I have recently looked at two wills. The first in 1728 is for Thomas >> EDMONDS in Colwinston. It lists a second wife, Joan; there are also three >> children listed and they appear to be grown. The following year there is a >> will for another Thomas EDMONDS, also in Colwinston; and I think this is >> the son of the first Thomas, which son was appointed executor of the first >> Thomas' estate. His will lists his mother-in-law, Joan EDMONDS, along with >> a brother and sister with names consistent with the first will as well as >> another brother and sister, who also appear to be grown. He does not list >> a wife which would bring with it a mother-in-law as we use the term today. >> >> Is it logical to think the use of the term mother-in-law would really mean >> stepmother? >> >> JoLynn Barneck >> -- >> >> To send to the list send to [email protected] >> GLAMORGAN Family History Mailing List archives etc. are at >> http://lists.rootsweb.com/index/intl/WLS/GLAMORGAN.html >> - >> This site has been prepared to help you use the Glamorgan List >> http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~glamorgan/ >> - >> A large amount of information, and a wide variety of useful links, may be >> found at http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/wal/GLA/ >> >> - >> The South/West Wales Lookup Exchange and Gareth's Help Pages >> http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~walesle/wal/AW.html and >> http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~ukwales2/hicks.html >> >> >> ------------------------------- >> To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to >> [email protected] with the word 'unsubscribe' without the >> quotes in the subject and the body of the message