Maybe nothing. It has only been of recent years that people used three ( or more ) names. A middle name was often just an initial. And prior to 1800, it was extremely unlikely to find anyone with even an initial as a middle name. Used as a first name is less common, but I think the explanation would hole true. Dee Doyle -----Original Message----- From: Brown, Sharon <Sbrown@mccracken.k12.ky.us> To: ILPOPE-L@rootsweb.com <ILPOPE-L@rootsweb.com> Date: Tuesday, January 12, 1999 1:17 PM Subject: RE: [ILPOPE-L] GREENBERRY >Does anyone know what the J. stands for in J. Greenberry Lands? Also, only >J. Gree Lands is on his stone. >Sharon Brown > >> ---------- >> From: Kay239@aol.com[SMTP:Kay239@aol.com] >> Reply To: ILPOPE-L@rootsweb.com >> Sent: 11. janúar 1999 20:44 >> To: ILPOPE-L@rootsweb.com >> Subject: Re: [ILPOPE-L] GREENBERRY >> >> I'm also curious as to who and why in the world someone would name their >> baby >> boy Greenberry! >> >> Well, they named my hubbies great grand father Thomas William Appleberry >> SISTLER. So I guess during that time the berry of one sort or another was >> a >> poplar name for a boy. >> >> Kay >> of the PALMER/SISTLER/SCHUCHARDT/MAXWELL/HOLLOWAY and related families >> >