Hi All - I have a question about the changing of spelling of a surname. The name I'm researching is Berg in the village of Niedergemünden. I can trace it back from 1826 to the mid 1750's as Berg. It then changes to Bergand - for about 10 years. The surname then goes back to Berg. My ancestors in the 1750's match up with Berg's before and after that time, so I guess this is just a variation. In the 1660's the name seems to be Bergken (for the baptism of a child) - when this child is confirmed in 1677, the surname is definitely Berg. In the early 1620's I have found the surname Bergk (a baptism), which seems to trace to Bergken and then Berg. My question is - is this the same surname from 1826 to the 1660's and earlier? I go from 1826-1750's - Berg 1750's - Bergand 1677 - 1750's Berg 1660's - Bergken 1620 - Bergk If this is the same surname, are the variations most likely due to poor spelling, a difference in dialect between the minister and the locals, or language changes over time. Thanks, Anita