The use of surnames did not begin to be used extensively until the 12th Century. By then there had been one Pope Philip, and several saints named Philip from several countries and the Roman Catholic Church had great societal influence during that that period. Phillips, and many spelling variations, is patronymic (i.e. named after the father Philip, whose sons would be referred to as Philip's sons - hence Philips). The most common Welsh and English version of the surname is spelled with two l's, giving the descendants the surname Phillips and their origins are in Wales.. Other spelling variations are Philipp, Phillip,Philipps, Philips Philp, Phelp, Phalp (English); Philippe, Phelip, Felip, Phelit, Philip, Phalip (French); Filip (Flemish/Dutch)., and there are numerous other diminutive, patronymic forms from other languages. For example, two Celtic (Cornish) names that have been translated to Phillips since the 16th century were originally recorded in the parish records as Felleppe and Phelype who happened to be Father and Son. Go figure. I think Phillips is the 45th most common surname in the world and definitely in the US. I will see if I can find anything on John Carter Phillips. However, please remember that Census recorders and even those interviewed were not sure of the spellings or place of births of mothers and fathers. This was particular true in the US in 1860 in the South, just prior to the Civil War, when recorders were known for spelling and providing on their own as they were paid on a per household basis and did not have the checks and balances we have today. Also, names and ancestry were often changed on immigration for various reasons or clerical error. This was particular true at Ellis Island.

Thank you, Joe Cheers, Bobbie ----- Original Message ----- From: <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Sunday, October 15, 2006 7:35 PM Subject: Re: [PHILLIPS] false information about Phillips Family ofWestVirginia > The use of surnames did not begin to be used extensively until the 12th > Century. By then there had been one Pope Philip, and several saints named > Philip > from several countries and the Roman Catholic Church had great societal > influence during that that period. > > Phillips, and many spelling variations, is patronymic (i.e. named after > the > father Philip, whose sons would be referred to as Philip's sons - hence > Philips). > > The most common Welsh and English version of the surname is spelled with > two > l's, giving the descendants the surname Phillips and their origins are in > Wales.. Other spelling > variations are Philipp, Phillip,Philipps, Philips Philp, Phelp, Phalp > (English); Philippe, Phelip, Felip, Phelit, Philip, Phalip (French); > Filip > (Flemish/Dutch)., and there are numerous other diminutive, patronymic > forms from > other languages. For example, two Celtic (Cornish) names that have been > translated to Phillips since the 16th century were originally recorded > in the parish > records as Felleppe and Phelype who happened to be Father and Son. Go > figure. > I think Phillips is the 45th most common surname in the world and > definitely > in the US. > I will see if I can find anything on John Carter Phillips. However, > please > remember that Census recorders and even those interviewed were not sure > of > the spellings or place of births of mothers and fathers. This was > particular > true in the US in 1860 in the South, just prior to the Civil War, when > recorders were known for spelling and providing on their own as they were > paid on a > per household basis and did not have the checks and balances we have > today. > Also, names and ancestry were often changed on immigration for various > reasons or clerical error. This was particular true at Ellis Island. > > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > [email protected] with the word 'unsubscribe' without the > quotes in the subject and the body of the message >

Thanks Doug. I belong to the Ackley mailing list as well and have been in contact with Alan Ackley. He gave me loads of info re Viola but nothing re John. I already had the info he had. I have traced back from my husband to John Carter, through his many moves - from Canada to the US and back again. There is also a story of native american blood in this family but so far, have not been able to verify that. This is one of the reasons I want to find John Carter with his parents. Any help or ideas is very much appreciated. Cheers, Bobbie