There were three major considerations in assigning the titles Junior & Senior to a child. Father-Son: John Henry Doe & wife named a son John Henry Doe, Junior at birth to forever distinguish son from father. The son was often known as "Junior" within the family and sometimes outside the family (e.g. at school). However "Juniors" were often known by their middle name or a nickname" within the family and outside the family. Usage in public life: John Henry Doe & wife named a son John Henry Doe at birth. Junior was not a part of his name given at birth. There was no Junior" until father and son were both buying land or otherwise participating in community life at the same time. Records would refer to the father as "John Henry Doe, Senior" and the son as "John Henry Doe, Junior"; or, to the father as "John Henry Doe" and the son as John Henry Doe, Junior." Sometimes there are a string of a certain name. This was usually handled as follows: John Henry Doe, Senior; John Henry Doe, Junior; John Henry Doe, III; John Henry Doe, IV; etc. Some long range planners used "I" & "II" instead of "Senior" & "Junior". (Also "Senior" & "II".) Although Roman numerals have normally been used, both cardinal and ordinal numbers have also been used (e.g. John Henry Doe, 2nd; John Henry Doe, Second.) Usage in honoring illustrious family members: I have a rich relative, John Paul Doe, that needs buttered-up, we have the same surname, so my son is named John Paul Doe. Whether or not he is named "Junior" at birth, where both are buying land or otherwise participating in community life at the same time, the younger was sometimes named "Junior" in records to distinguish between them. Sometimes the family called the younger "Junior" to distinguish between them. String of a certain name: 1. John Henry Doe & son John Henry Doe - until son comes of age. 2. John Henry Doe (or John Henry Doe, Senior) & son John Henry Doe, Junior - until father dies. 3. John Henry Doe, Senior (son Junior from 2.) & son John Henry Doe - until son comes of age. 4. John Henry Doe (or John Henry Doe, Senior) & son John Henry Doe, Junior (son John Henry Doe from 3.) - until father dies. 5. Go through cycle again. Bad case scenario: You find decades of the same name with each father and son (after the first one of the name - this one will not appear as "Junior" under most conditions) being alternately "Junior" & "Senior in public records (but perhaps not in family records). There were six or eight generations of the same name in one family genealogy I saw. Worst case scenario: Neither family or public records bothered to distinguish father from son. I am sure this whole thing is confusing. The above is true to my experience as a genealogist to the best of my knowledge & belief. James B. Hardin