Hi Billy, For what it is worth, in my line, Patrick who emigrated in 1848 may have been able to read but he definitely did not sign his name. Thus his name was "spelled by others" and fluctuates between Kirwin and Kiwan on different documents. His age also changes ;] he is MUCH younger on his maariage license than he is on census records, etc, which followed. Gee, you think she aged him that much or that he lost interest in his youth once he felt settled??? Lastly, in case anyone didn't know it, Famine Immigrants were notorious for "inventing" birthdates as in Ireland, the Christianing date is considered more important.... most "popular" dates were Dec. 25th, Jan. 1 and March 17th ;] Jana Nawrikb@aol.com wrote: > I wonder why the many and varied spellings in one person's genealogy. It > seems to be strange, since I was told that the spellings were associated with > the area or country in which one settled. Of Course I could be wrong. I > have no definite information, only heresay. > > Thanks again > Billy Kirwan, Jr. > nawrikb@aol.com > > ==== KIRWIN Mailing List ==== > For Irish Genealogy Chat try International Internet Genealogical Society > IRC info at http://www.iigs.org/irc/ircsoftwr.htm.en (get software then > to #Ireland-Gen - for topics http://www.iigs.org/cgi/ircthemes/ircthemes)