In a message dated 4/3/00 8:57:42 AM, [email protected] writes: >Hello: > >I received your notes to "Rainajm" several days ago and was so happy to >receive more information on the Ragan Clan. I am a descendent of Nathan >Ragan thru Samuel Young and William Young Ragan. I would like to have >some questions answered in regards to your notes if you would be so kind >as to respond. No problem. I'm glad to do it. > 1-Any known significance to how John Riggin came to be known as "John >of Morumsco"? So far nobody has explained ro me just why he had that title. It would probably be interesting to know. I wonder if any of our RAGAN-ROOTer cousins knows anything about it? > 2-Any information on when and why Nathan changes his name from Riggin >to Ragan? Changes of the spelling of our surname happens quite often. Not only our surname, but others as well. I guess we have to understand that years ago our ancestors may not have had the education we get today. So when the census taker came around to interview the people, they may not have known how to spell their names correctly. Sometimes the census taker would just have to make an educated guess. In different census' (and other dicuments) I've found my own ancestors surnames spelled RAGAN, RAGIN & RAGON. > 3-My birthdate for Nathan, son of John Riggin, Jr is 1770, born in Maryland, >and I > was wondering if you can substantiate this fact as I can't mine? This info came from two different RAGAN-ROOT cousins UGeorg~ F. RIGGIN <gfriggin yahoo.com> & James <[email protected]>. Perhaps they can answer this question for us. Others who have contributed to this family lineage include Ivon RAGAN <[email protected]> and <[email protected]> You see I don't do all the research found in our database. I'll accept wht you submit, but the research is up to you. It would be helpful if people would submit their 'proofs' so others can verify the information. Some do send me their proofs, but not all. >(I don't mean to be offensive, just wanting my facts to be correct.) > No offense taken. Question everything. If it's my family we're talking about I always ask for the proofs. If you're trying to prove lineage for the SAR or DAR you *have* to have them. Sometimes it'll be 'primary' proofs, sometimes it may be 'secondary' proofs. Primary being actual birth/death certificates, court, land, or census records, Bible or church records ...etc. Secondary records include books, biographies, articles ...etc. And again question *everything*. In one biography book (from southern Illinois) I found my 3g-grandmother was named Mary LEPER, b. ca 1806, PA. Later I found she was actually Mary LEEPER. It was secondary evidence, but since we found that Alexander LEEPER had a dau named Mary, widow of William RAGAN, of Illinois (from another boigraphy book on Guernsey Co., OH), we were able to make the link. And Alexander was named in the will of Lt. Samuel LEEPER (Rev. War officer). >Any help you can provide and added information you may have available would >be appreciated. Thank you for your time. > >Mike Ragan >Dallas, TX Always glad to help Mike (hey you have a good name ;-) I may not have all (or any) of the answers, but I may be able to put you in touch with someone who does. Best wishes, Michael W. RAGAN ============= RAGAN-ROOTS List Moderator ============= I Get By With a Little Help From My Friends ... Lennon & McCartney =============