If I might add, this might help as well. Most of the Germans until late in the 19th century did not go by their first names. These were generally honorifics - a saint's name. That is why so many children in the same family might have the same first given name. They generally went by their second or third name and these usually followed some very specific formulas. There is an excellent site about this at: http://homepages.rootsweb.com/~hornbeck/naming.htm Blessings! Susan > > "I have seen some of these. Also, some of the men's names especially were > found in late 1600's, early 1700s as their official names and not > nicknames. > Very early our John was Hans. Later usually Johannes and still later was > Johann. Sometimes brothers would be Johannes and Johann in same time > periods. Johannes was popular in Switzerland. Rarely found Hans after > very > early 1700s in SW Germany. > > > > > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > MOLEWIS-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the > quotes in the subject and the body of the message >