Very sound advice. ----- Original Message ----- From: "hbrandon" <hbrandon@gateway.net> To: <MARKHAM-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Sunday, November 19, 2000 4:58 PM Subject: Re: [MARKHAM] Origination of Spelling "Markum" > Hi, Allen. > > A common misunderstanding in genealogical research is that the way the name > was spelled had anything to do with anything. Usually, our ancestors here > in America couldn't read and write anyway, and the name was spelled > phonetically however the partidular court clerk or census or tax agent > decided to spell it. The "Proper" spelling in England, if there ever really > was one, was "Markham", and it apparently was a place name that came to be > used as a surname when those came into fashion. > > Among the Virginia Markhams I have been researching for 30 years from > original records ONLY, I have seen the name spelled at least a dozen ways > referring to exactly the same people. Once, in a transcription error in > recording the original deed/grant of 300 acres in Henrico Co, Virginia, the > name was even spelled "Warren" rather than Markham throughout the entire > document. Checking the original document itself ( a photocopy of it, anyway) > it was easy to see what had happened, because if you weren't paying > attention, it did look a bit like "Warren" in the old handwriting. > > My family now spells the name Marcum (since about 1870), but prior to that I > have seen my same ancestors called Markham, Marcum, Markom, Markum, Markam, > Marcham, Malcom, Markrum, Macrum, and a host of other things. You will find > it a good idea always to check every index (or Soundex) for every possible > spelling while you're in there. It saves a lot of expensive trips to the > archives. > > I once even found a Pendergrass relative of mine under "S". His name was > James, and someone had decided to spell his surname Spendergrast. > > The rule is : Don't get hung up on spellings. They don't matter a whit. > Promise. > > Watch instead for deeds. wills, marriage bonds, Bible records and location, > location, location ! (Also, don't beleive everything you read on the > internet. A lot of the info is just a repeat of someone else's assumptions. > Always check everything out for yourself from the original.) > > Best of luck. Call on me if I can help you out at all. > > Karen Marcum (etc.) Brandon > -----Original Message----- > From: a. allen <missionkid5@hotmail.com> > To: MARKHAM-L@rootsweb.com <MARKHAM-L@rootsweb.com> > Date: Sunday, November 19, 2000 8:10 AM > Subject: [MARKHAM] Origination of Spelling "Markum" > > > >It has been my understanding that the "Markum" family was originally in > >England and originally spelled the name "Marcum." However, I have learned > >there is a town called "Markum" in Holland, and have also seen references > >with the same spelling in Eastern Europe. Does anyone have information > with > >regard to this? > >_________________________________________________________________________ > >Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com. > > > >Share information about yourself, create your own public profile at > >http://profiles.msn.com. > > > > > >==== MARKHAM Mailing List ==== > >Markham Associated Web Page > >Check out Leslie Ashman's Home Page > >members.aol.com/lkashman/frame.htm > > > > > > > ==== MARKHAM Mailing List ==== > Check out Ralph Clark's Markham site: > http://ralphinla.rootsweb.com/marcum.htm > >