Great point Jim, and one that I have observed in researching my family.  I have learned that many of them are documented by their middle names, and I have been lucky to uncover full names for only about half of my ancestors pre 20th century.  Usually, it has been Church records that have revealed the full names.  While the naming convention is not always consistent, generally I have found it to be a useful tool in my research.   Marc Rafferty ----- Original Message ---- From: Jim C <[email protected]> To: Jacqueline Harris <[email protected]>; [email protected] Sent: Wednesday, May 14, 2008 2:25:48 PM Subject: Re: [IRL-MONAGHAN] Irish naming of children. I don't know if it was because the naming pattern caused too many people to have the same name in the family, but certainly something you need to be aware of is that MANY times an individual went by his or her middle name all their life, and that can sure wreak havoc when you're searching! Jim C -----Original Message----- From: Jacqueline Harris [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Tuesday, May 13, 2008 5:28 AM To: [email protected] Subject: [IRL-MONAGHAN] Irish naming of children. In the opinion of you all how accurate is the Irish naming pattern? I have ancestors who I don't know 'for sure' if they belong to the family and could it be guide to work with or should I dismiss it. Jackie. Storing memory - no problem Retrieving memory - big problem OPC for North Bovey. Researching: Devon: FROST, GITSHAM, HARRIS, HOWARD, ROWLAND. Ballybay, Co.Monaghan: DUFFY, HAND, MOAN(E), MOEN, MOGHAN, MOHAN, WOODS. N. Yorks: BRANSLEY, EASBY, RUTHERFORD, THOMPSON, WALKER. Northants: DAY, GRIFFIN(G), NUTT, PITTS, UNDERWOOD, WADE. Shropshire: ALLART, DAVIES, GRIFFITHS, JONES, MANSELL, PITTS Anywhere: MOAN(E), MOEN, MOGHAN, MOHAN, MOHUN. Protected by www.SpamJab.com {NYvf5yYjM3TGB5C1dg] ------------------------------- 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

I have found this to be quite common as well. Something else, not to further complicate this, but I have also encountered use of abbreviations or knicknames. Ones I have encountered include: Ted or Teddy for Edward Bill or Billy for William Jim for James Maggie for Margaret Alec or Alex for Alexander Bob or Bobby for Robert Lilly for Elizabeth Rae for Rachel Tom or Tommy for Thomas Fred for Frederick Joe for Joseph Many of these are to be expected but others a bit different. Brian Marc Rafferty <[email protected]> wrote: Great point Jim, and one that I have observed in researching my family. I have learned that many of them are documented by their middle names, and I have been lucky to uncover full names for only about half of my ancestors pre 20th century. Usually, it has been Church records that have revealed the full names. While the naming convention is not always consistent, generally I have found it to be a useful tool in my research. Marc Rafferty ----- Original Message ---- From: Jim C To: Jacqueline Harris ; [email protected] Sent: Wednesday, May 14, 2008 2:25:48 PM Subject: Re: [IRL-MONAGHAN] Irish naming of children. I don't know if it was because the naming pattern caused too many people to have the same name in the family, but certainly something you need to be aware of is that MANY times an individual went by his or her middle name all their life, and that can sure wreak havoc when you're searching! Jim C -----Original Message----- From: Jacqueline Harris [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Tuesday, May 13, 2008 5:28 AM To: [email protected] Subject: [IRL-MONAGHAN] Irish naming of children. In the opinion of you all how accurate is the Irish naming pattern? I have ancestors who I don't know 'for sure' if they belong to the family and could it be guide to work with or should I dismiss it. Jackie. Storing memory - no problem Retrieving memory - big problem OPC for North Bovey. Researching: Devon: FROST, GITSHAM, HARRIS, HOWARD, ROWLAND. Ballybay, Co.Monaghan: DUFFY, HAND, MOAN(E), MOEN, MOGHAN, MOHAN, WOODS. N. Yorks: BRANSLEY, EASBY, RUTHERFORD, THOMPSON, WALKER. Northants: DAY, GRIFFIN(G), NUTT, PITTS, UNDERWOOD, WADE. Shropshire: ALLART, DAVIES, GRIFFITHS, JONES, MANSELL, PITTS Anywhere: MOAN(E), MOEN, MOGHAN, MOHAN, MOHUN. Protected by www.SpamJab.com {NYvf5yYjM3TGB5C1dg] ------------------------------- 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 ------------------------------- 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 --------------------------------- All new Yahoo! Mail - Get a sneak peak at messages with a handy reading pane.