Nancy asked about Scotch-Irish naming patterns. This email came from the Wigtownshire (Scotland) list. Hope it helps. Cheers, Chris Magill Wieland Hi List Wayne asked me to post this handout that I use in my Family History Course. I hope some might find it useful. Regards Ian. Researching Family History in Dumfries & Galloway ~ and beyond. Please visit my Website: http://www.imchad.freeola.com Scottish Naming Patterns Many Scottish families adhered to a 'naming tradition' which can be a useful way of identifying families. Remember it could vary from district to district, such as Durisdeer where families would name one son after the Minister. There was a tradition where the first child to be baptised by a new Minister was named after him. The records of Dumfries in 1806 have an interesting case: 1806 Scott, Lawful daughter to Alexander Grier, Shoemaker, 1st August. N.B. The parents at first intended to call the child Jenny but afterwards agreed to the present name because she was the first baptized by the Rev. Alexander Scott D.D. after his translation from the New to the Old, or St. Michael's Church, Dumfries and this appropriation of a name is generally shown to Ministers. Normal pattern The first son named after the Father's father (paternal grandfather) The second son after the Mother's father (maternal grandfather) The third son named after the Father. The first daughter named after the Mother's mother (maternal grandfather) The second daughter named after the Father's mother (paternal grandmother) The third daughter after the Mother. This pattern was sometimes reversed, especially if the Mother's family were wealthy or more dominant than the Father's. Remember that when the first son is born the couple have no way of knowing if other children will follow. TIP: If a child died in infancy, as often was the case, it was customary to give the next child of the same sex the same name. ==== SCT-WIGTOWNSHIRE Mailing List ==== ----------------------------------