According to Richardson, the pattern of name-giving known as dynastic repetition was in high vogue in eastern Switzerland some centuries before his study period of 1100-1300. First sons were named after their fathers (thus Peterli and Peterman), while second sons were named after uncles on the fathers' side. The practice, at least in eastern Switzerland among the Germanic freemen and lesser nobility, diminished considerably after 1400, with fully 75 of the 93 names studied recurring only once or twice. An exception to this finding is Canton Uri and the upper Rhone River Valley (of Canton Wallis) where the practice of naming first sons after their father and second sons after the paternal uncle continues to this day. I am not conversant on the subject in other parts of Switzerland. Pete Mattli Ft. Myers, FL Subj: [SWITZ] Naming Patterns/ SCHAUB Date: 03/15/2000 1:00:00 AM Eastern Standard Time From: msmcdan@humboldt1.com (Margaret McDaniel) Reply-to: <A HREF="mailto:msmcdan@humboldt1.com">msmcdan@humboldt1.com</A> To: SWITZERLAND-L@rootsweb.com Can you tell me if the Swiss generally named their children after family members? If so, did they follow any pattern (i.e. first son after paternal grandfather, second after maternal grandfather, etc.)? My ancestor, Arnold Earnest SCHAUB made a Declaration of Intention to become a United States citizen 26 Sep 1874, and homesteaded in the Dakota Territory in 1879. His birthplace was Switzerland. The 1920 census asks for the birthplace and mother tongue of the individual, his father and his mother. One son states Arnold's mother tongue was French. Another son has French and German with "French" crossed out. A thrid son gives Arnold's birthplace as U.S. so doesn't know much. Arnold's widow is living in the household where it states that French was his mother tongue, so I think that is probably accurate. 1880 and 1885 census indicated Arnold was born about 1849. Any ideas would be welcome.