There has always seems to be a problem surrounding the spelling of the Kilham last name. Whether this is an issue of family pride connected with the spelling one was brought up to become familiar with or some other reason, the last name as far as genealogical research goes is an issue of gathering factual information. The records one discovers in their searches is an absolute for that moment in time and document. Sheila 'Firehair' Stover, who is an experienced and talented genealogist, succinctly stated regarding the issue of last name spellings , "if it sounds remotely like the name you are looking for, follow it." I whole heartedly support this comment, and advise all those researching the Kilham name(whatever spelling) to put aside any preconceptions as to what is right or wrong and follow the their roots regardless of what spellings they might come across. If one does not heed this advice they might miss some key information they have hunted for years. Not to seem redundant, but for those following their roots from the progenitor of the New England Kilham family, Austin Kilham, they will find Austin's last name spelled in the records numerous ways. When he first settled in Salem, Massachusetts, the spelling was Calem. In his last will and testament, the last name is spelled three different way including that of his son Daniel who was a witness to the document. As I have stated before in a piece written 6 February 2000 for this site, there are now 37 different variations (was 34 but found 3 more) on the last name in the Essex County Vital Records through 1850. The spelling ranges from Calam to Kyllam. There is also a Kelm in the mix. One of our posters did an interesting piece which outlined possibilities of spelling variations and the number is enormous. Let's expand this spelling issue to country of name's origin. There is no debate from me as to the possibility of other nationalities having spellings identical to those which one might find in their research. Kelm is one example and according to the attached message there might be a French variation spelled Kellum. As for those tracing their roots through either of the American progenitors of the Kelham or Kilham families, the origin is English. For those interested in the Kelham family origin history, please find a copy of Robert Thoroton's three volume set entitled "Antiquities of Nottinghamshire". The family data goes back to 1100 in Nottinghamshire, England, and the town of Kelham. As for the Kilham family let me quote from "Place-Names of the East Riding of Yorkshire and York" by A. H. Smith which is talking about the Parish of Kilham in East Riding, Yorkshire and the family name found in this area. "KILHAM. From Dan. Kilda, a spring: and um, the dative plural ending : hence, at the springs. 1086- D.B. Chillon, Chillvm, Chillum ("ch" is the Norman French equivalent for the letter "k"). Circa 1200 - M.C. Kyllum, Killome. 1315- N.V. Killom, Killum, Kyllum 1346- In a bond for L200. Killum 1349- Brid. Ch. Killom. Killum, Kyllom, Kyllum 1408- In a grant. Killom 1470- In a grant. Kyllom 1503- In a release. Kyholme 1650- P.S. Kilholme Some of the farms nearby are named Dotterhill House, Raven Hill, Broach Dale, West Field, Middle Dale or Little Kilham." I want to give credit for this last resource to Pam Geist in Florida and Ruth Harriot in California. Both ladies have been working with me in the search for the historical origin of the Kilham/Killam family name and their efforts have been fantastic. Wait for our findings! The hope in this message is to set the record straight that there are numerous spellings of the last name which we all must deal with in our research and from this point of view please do not limit your efforts because one sees a different spelling. Secondly, the two American families are to the best of my knowledge of English origin with a Viking influence in the last name. Remember that the use of last names did not really start until the 11th century. Rick Kilham ----- Original Message ----- From: <JKellum100@aol.com> To: <KELLAM-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Sunday, October 01, 2000 6:20 PM Subject: Re: [KELLAM] Kellum name origins > The Kellum name is Norman originally and they fought with > Scotland and England. They were awarded lands in England > for there services in the Battle of Hastings. Some say that > Samuel came from Wales, but I have seen no proof of that. > Most of my research shows that they were Vikings! > > JK > > > ==== KELLAM Mailing List ==== > Search the Social Security Death Index online for FREE! > http://ssdi.genealogy.rootsweb.com/ > The most powerful SSDI search engine on the Internet! > It's a great place to add a copy of the obit or family history! >