This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: rjgivens Surnames: Grancal, Stewart, Beckwith Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.pennsylvania.counties.york/15200.1.1.2.1.1.1.1.1/mb.ashx Message Board Post: Debra: Why did people in the 19th century use the same names over and over again? I get so tired of three or four people in the same family having the same names. And what about those enumerators who didn't bother to ask for initials that might have distinguished between cousins or a father and his son? Lewis Beckwith was 16 years older than his second wife, Sarah Dean Grancal(?) Stewart Beckwith. The Washington County Lewis Beckwith and Sarah Stewar(d)t must be another couple although their marriage date certainly fits the Jackson County, VA (WV) pair. The g-g-granddaughter sent me the birthdates of Lewis and Sarah--04/26/1815 and 04/12/1832. I'm planning to go in a few weeks to the Ohio River Valley counties to finish up some research on my own family, so I just might include a run to Jackson County and look up tax and assessor records at the Court House. I tried to access them on line but had no luck. If I can find anything that sorts out these Grancals and Stewa! rts and Beckwiths, I'll let you know. I might even go to Marietta to do some looking!! If you like, you can e-mail me directly at [email protected] Thanks again for your help. More later. Joan in Fairmont Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.