Henry, There is also a less common spelling of Huntt (yes that is with 2 Ts). Also, note that since most family names are occupational (Hunt, Cooper, Farmer, Joyner, Carpenter) or based on a location (Hill, Lynch, Lake, etc), that not all Hunts are related to all other Hunts (no more so than everyone that drives a blue car must be related). Many family names were Americanized or shortened by their owners, and in some cases, the names were "assigned" in ports of arrival. Not many people know that the last name of the "original Siamese twins", Eng and Chang, were given the last name of Bunker when they arrived in the US, pre Civil War. In addition, coming to the US was a great way to become all you could be...or anyone you wanted to be...early immigrants seldom had "papers", so if you didn't want someone to find you, it was easy to assume a name and blend into a crowd, especially if you might be trying to avoid the authorities for any number of reasons. A work associate related the following story to me some years ago. His grandparents came to the US through Ellis Island from Italy. They spoke no English, and the officers at Ellis Island spoke no Italian. They asked him his name for the records. His grandfather replied Frontierro (which he said means from the frontier, I guess the equivalent of the Australian Outback), thinking the officer had asked where he was from. From that point on, the family name was officially Frontierro. And remember that locations are just as important as dates and names in a genealogical record. Family genealogies are more than just AKC pedigrees. If anyone is to confirm or add to your research, you must show locations for events, such as deaths, marriages, births, census records, etc. That way, you won't confuse a John Hunt from Massachusetts with a John Hunt from Texas (even if the dates of birth seem close). Details are important, and always try to indicate your source for the information, even if it was from great aunt Sally during her 100th birthday party celebration. And last, but not least, remember, the only thing that can be counted on with second hand information is the time. Never accept any relevant information as fact, without having other sources. Even dates of birth and death may not be accurate on the tombstone (especially if it was placed there later, or if the info on birth came from a non-family member). Death records are usually accurate, but cemetery markers may not be. Census records are good tools, but also contain errors of several years sometimes. Use several census records to get a better picture of the correct dates, or at least a close approximation. Also, remember, that few people are as good (or as bad) as history might paint them. Record the facts, not the rumor or the innuendo. Every tree has a few branches that someone would like to trim, but only by including all the branches can a true family genealogy be created that will serve a function to future generations. I have found almost nothing more personally rewarding to me than researching my family history (even if I may have no Mayflower ancestry, or blue-blood from Kings, or maybe not even a world renown local historical figure in my line). Of paupers or Kings, there are more of the former than the latter. The true history of this country is in the every day, work a day, often hard and tough lives of the average Joe on the street...that is where the true family history derives its greatest strength. Hope this has been some help to anyone starting a family history research. Ray Hunt NC -----Original Message----- From: William Hunt [SMTP:hunt@ALPHA.NSULA.EDU] Sent: Monday, January 04, 1999 10:01 AM To: HUNT-L@rootsweb.com Subject: Re: [HUNT-L] Derivation of the name Hunt According to published sources I have read, Hunt is a English surname that has an occupational or office origin. It comes from the Middle English de la Hunte, which denoted a huntsman or gamekeeper who hunted to bring meat to the table. In earlier times in England, it was an official county office. Other spellings of the occupational surname include Hunter, Hunts, and Huntsman, as well as the prevailing de la Hunte. Bill Hunt in Louisiana -----Original Message----- From: CandlerSL@aol.com <CandlerSL@aol.com> To: HUNT-L@rootsweb.com <HUNT-L@rootsweb.com> Date: Sunday, January 03, 1999 3:09 PM Subject: [HUNT-L] Derivation of the name Hunt >I am just getting started. Can anyone tell me the derivation of the name >Hunt? English? Irish, etc? Henry Lamar Hunt > > >==== HUNT Mailing List ==== >Review names and download HUNT gedcom files from Courtney Tompkins site ><http://www.geocities.com/heartland/plains/4813/ged1/gedlink.html> > > > > > ==== HUNT Mailing List ==== The HUNTList Support Staff Doug Hunt <doughunt@writeme.com>, Sandy Hunt <sbh3@juno.com> and Courtney Tompkins <tompkin@c2i2.com>