>I have been told that "St. Joachim" is pronounced "Joe - ach - em." > > I think you idea is a great one. I for one never new how to pronounce > "DeLassus" and I am or was a "molasses" man sayer of it. I know that is > bad grammar but what the heck. I had to laugh a bit when I read that line.  Years ago I went California and some how the name Joachim came up and I pronounced it Joe-ack-em.  And everyone looked at me like I was from Mars or maybe even Pluto.   My brother nudge me and said it "Wah-keem".  I believe Nevada, MO is pronounced nee-va (long a)-da (short a).  It is always a hoot to listen to the new anouncers say Gravois or Lemay ( Grav-voys and Lee-may)   And we wonder why we find so may spellings of our ancester's surnames.  Denise Dogs are not our whole life, But they make our lives whole.