OLD NAMING PATTERNS >The first son was named after the father's father. >The second son was named after the mother's father. >The third son was named after the father. >The fourth son was named after the fathers eldest brother. >The first daughter was named after the mother's mother. >The second daughter was named after the father's mother. >The third daughter was named after the mother. >The fourth daughter was named after the mothers eldest sister. always >but I hope this helps some. ALSO: 2nd wife's oldest daughter named after the first wife, using her full name. Children after those listed above were usually named after a favorite relative with some possible exceptions: If a child died in infancy, a later child might be given the same name. When a newly ordained minister baptized his first child, if that child were a boy, he would be named for the minister, if a girl, she would receive his surname as her middle name. If a child were fostered, usually because of being orphaned, he may be named for the foster parent. If you are sure that you have the earliest birth or baptisms and that they are in the correct order then, if John's first son is named Charles and his second daughter is named Elizabeth then John's parents must be Charles and Elizabeth. Ann