In my husband's family from IL, they quite often went by their second names, with the first one being more of an "honorary" one or whatever. His great-grandfather, Wm. David Duff, appears on the census as Wm., W. D. and most often as David - in his obituary he is referred to as David. One of his sons was named John Thomas, but always was known as "Uncle Tom" -- another, James Merritt was known as "Mett" -- only Charles Ebenezer used the name Charles. One time we were quite confused as on one census it indicated there was a young girl names Sarah (her mother's name, also) -- then on the next census they had a Jennie, but no Sarah and that stumped us a bit. However, later, from her obituary, we learned that her full name was Sarah Jane, and Jennie was a nickname for Jane. We used to think it was a tradition in that family and could not understand why, but since then I have noted others asking a similar question. I would think Mattie would be a nickname for Matilda - but one never knows for sure, I guess. Marlyn

I am so glad someone else is finding this nickname situation. In my grandmother's family, at least three of the sisters used their middle names in a nickname form as their first names and the initial of the first name for the middle--so confusing. Until I wised up, which took me several months, my research didn't go nearly as quickly. My grandmother's name was Martha, but they called her Mattie and her headstone reads as such. A different time and a very different people, but with unbelieveable strength to endure what they had to go through. Linda Hampton ----- Original Message ----- From: <MJD62@aol.com> To: <ILSANGAM-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Tuesday, November 07, 2000 7:18 AM Subject: Re: [ILSANGAM-L] Nickname question > In my husband's family from IL, they quite often went by their second > names, with the first one being more of an "honorary" one or whatever. > His great-grandfather, Wm. David Duff, appears on the census as Wm., > W. D. and most often as David - in his obituary he is referred to as > David. One of his sons was named John Thomas, but always was > known as "Uncle Tom" -- another, James Merritt was known as "Mett" > -- only Charles Ebenezer used the name Charles. One time we were > quite confused as on one census it indicated there was a young girl > names Sarah (her mother's name, also) -- then on the next census > they had a Jennie, but no Sarah and that stumped us a bit. However, > later, from her obituary, we learned that her full name was Sarah > Jane, and Jennie was a nickname for Jane. We used to think it > was a tradition in that family and could not understand why, but > since then I have noted others asking a similar question. I would > think Mattie would be a nickname for Matilda - but one never > knows for sure, I guess. > > Marlyn > > > ==== ILSANGAM Mailing List ==== > List problems? First, read the Welcome Message that you received > when you subscribed. Feel free to contact Morris Myers, > list administrator, with questions concerning this list! > mailto: gmm00@amdahl.com > >