We have all heard stories about people who have 'changed their name' for whatever reason. Some, maybe, desired to hide their ancestoral identity, which sometimes a particular surname denotes, e.g. ethnic origin, economic status, social class and religion. We have also heard about Parish Priests, in the old days, not accepting the chosen names for children, proposed by their parents, and the PP recording an alternate Christian name for the 'record of birth'. In early Newfoundland, where, to quote fellow lister Mr.Big, "About 90% of the people were paupers", I would guess that perhaps about 90% were illiterate during his mentioned time frame, whatever that may be. In early history,the word 'Bastard' also was recorded as a surname and later a place name in early Ontario history. May I suggest that Educated, wealthy and powerful Clergy, sometimes recorded Parish birth surname spellings without the 'total knowledge' of the child's parents or relatives, who could not read or write. Is it too much to expect that these materially wealthy and well educated PP's did not know the 'generally accepted' surname spelling of the child's relatives, who were in many cases, supporting the Parish with cash and/or 'quintals of fish to be exchanged for merchants bills of exchange'. Many historical records indicate that some Church Parishs were totally beholden to it's members for financial contributions. Merchants simply 'went out of business' sometimes because of widespread economic conditions, over which they had no control. Many a 'mission' was 'shut down' because it was not economically viable, with absolutely no money coming down the line from the 'materially wealthy mother church' to maintain the service to poor humanity. I am reminded of these words-- "give me your money and your reward is in heaven" and "changing the label dosen't always mean that the content is different". Here is a short excerpt from the early NL (1858) Novel about the subject of 'surname changing'. Is it possible that some people, back then, changed their surname spelling when they 'changed their religious beliefs and allegiance? CHAPTER 49...�AN OPENING INTO FATHER DEBREE�S HEART� page 324...�He that once was Mrs. Barre�s husband is a RC priest; page 325.... He looked at the seal more closely than she had done. �The letters seem to spell �DEBREE�, but with and �I� said he: the true way, I suppose. I never saw it written.� �Yes, it�s Norman; �DE BRIE,� --and Huguenot,� said Mrs. Barre, weeping, and speaking like one whose mind was on other things. Perhaps to divert her attention, Mr. Wellon continued his examination. �This appears to be a heap of stones.� said he. �It came from Rouen, in the old wars,� she explained, �and the family added the word Barre, for �Chemin Barre�, because one of them �barred� the way single-handed;� and she gave herself again to her thoughts. �It was �De Brie-Barre,� then?� he said; but added, immediately, � Pardon me , my dear Mrs. Barre, if I seem to have been drawing out your confidence. It was entirely without a thought.� �It does not matter, now,� she answered: �Mr. De Brie was my husband; but that name Igantius is a new one, when he became a Romish priest. His own name is Walter.� ----Almost the first person whom he met in the road was Miss Dare, and he gave her the note to read. She wept, like Mrs. Barre. �So he is her husband!� she exclaimed. Then turning the letter over, her eye, too, was caught by the seal, which she examined more closely than the wife had done. ...........�This must be a fancy of his own�, she said; �a mockery of his name, it reads �DEBRIS�, and the charge, (or whatever it is,) is a heap of stones.� __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Exclusive Video Premiere - Britney Spears http://launch.yahoo.com/promos/britneyspears/