In a message dated 10/15/2000 12:10:27 AM Eastern Daylight Time, itzzme@bellsouth.net writes: > > As a newcomer I was astounded to find so many spellings of the Markham > name in the 1871 Census of Ontario Index at the National Archives of Canada > website. > > Markomb > Marcham > Markam > Markham > There were no Marcum's even though I knew to look for that spelling from > this mailing list. Don't forget Marcom. I found my actual relatives after 10 years of digging under Marghum..........would never have thought to look under that. This was after a complete search of the archives....small town, luckily......for the area I knew they were there but the soundex didn't pop them up. Spelling was either problem of how the census taker either heard the name or thought to spell it. Later censuses name was spelled correct. I always wondered if the person from whom the census taker was getting information was either drunk, had a speech impediment or as might well be the case, was from the south....my people had just moved up to Illinois from the south. Interesting what one can surmise from all this stuff!!! :)