Janet is correct, and in the question we were asked the obit was written in 1909. That being the case, everything written in it has become "public record" and, as I wrote, may be copied and used at will. Paul ----- Original Message ----- From: janethunter703@aol.com To: VA-SOUTHSIDE-L@rootsweb.com Sent: Monday, July 18, 2005 12:02 PM Subject: Re: [VA-SOUTHSIDE-L] Quoting Obituaries While I haven't tried this, I understand others have simply contacted the paper in which the obituary was published and easily received permission to reprint the obituary in full if proper acknowledgment is included -- if there still is a copyright which wasn't the case with the original query if I remember correctly from the very early 1900s. Generally speaking, most small local papers don't usually simply fold up, but are bought out by another publisher who then holds the copyright. Usually, there are subscribers to the appropriate local county rootsweb lists who are familiar with these matters, or know someone who can help. Good Luck. Janet Hunter ==== VA-SOUTHSIDE Mailing List ==== Rootsweb Acceptable Use Policy forbids posting copyrighted material which you do not own to Rootsweb Lists. ============================== New! Family Tree Maker 2005. Build your tree and search for your ancestors at the same time. Share your tree with family and friends. Learn more: http://landing.ancestry.com/familytreemaker/2005/tour.aspx?sourceid=14599&targetid=5429 -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.0.323 / Virus Database: 267.9.0/50 - Release Date: 7/16/2005

Hi Roger, I assume your concern about using the entire obituary relates to potential copyright violations. If his obituary was published prior to 1923, it is now in the public domain, based on my reading of the following, found at http://www.bitlaw.com/copyright/duration.html: "The duration of copyright protection recently changed as a result of the Sonny Bono Copyright Term Extension Act of 1998. The easiest rule to state is that Copyrights have expired on all United States works registered or published prior to 1923. As a result, all such works have entered into the public domain." It is always proper and helpful to give the source citation of any such facts, but personally I think you should have no concern about printing his entire obituary. Best regards, Rob Jolly on 7/17/05 6:51 PM, Roger Lester at roger_d_lester@hotmail.com wrote: > Hello, > > I have an ancestor whose obituary runs more than a page. It gives > information about his Civil War service, as well as his community service in > the county over the course of his life. He died in 1908. I'm not sure if I > can use all of that, even with source citation. Should I excerpt it? The > whole obit gives important information. > > Thanks, > Roger > > > > ==== VA-SOUTHSIDE Mailing List ==== > Problems Subscribing or Unsubscribing ? Contact: > G. Lee Hearl List Adm. at: glh@naxs.com > Hosted by Rootsweb http://www.rootsweb.com > > ============================== > Search the US Census Collection. Over 140 million records added in the > last 12 months. Largest online collection in the world. Learn more: > http://www.ancestry.com/s13965/rd.ashx >

Continually, I am reminded of middle names being used in Warwick and Isle of Wight county Va., as I try to find the father of my ancestor Francis Albridgton Jones. He was signing documents with his full name by 1743 in IofW, and continued to do so after he moved with his wife, Julian Newsom, to Edgecomb Co. N.C. until his death in 1788. His probable reason for using his full name was because he had at least two first cousins and an uncle named Francis Jones, living in the same location. I probably will never know whether his parents gave him his middle name at birth, early 1700's. His grandparents were Matthew Jones and Elizabeth, daughter of Francis Albridghton, of Mulberry Island, Warwick Co. Va.. They named sons Francis and Albridgton as well as Matthew and others. The family continued to use the first name Albridgton and Britain for many generations as they migrated south and west. The Matthew Jones House, Fort Eustis, Va., has been preserved as an architectural museum, highlighting the three periods of construction dating: 1720, 1728 and 1883, and can be seen with a google search. Jack Faw 770 E Rio Rd Charlottesville, Va 434-978-2093

I have John George Pennington born about 1721 in Surry Co., VA.; died in 1797 in Mecklenburg Co., VA. He always seemed to use both given names, and he was also mentioned that way in his father's 1727 will.

Hello, I have an ancestor whose obituary runs more than a page. It gives information about his Civil War service, as well as his community service in the county over the course of his life. He died in 1908. I'm not sure if I can use all of that, even with source citation. Should I excerpt it? The whole obit gives important information. Thanks, Roger

I am trying to find the origins of Smith Heath, who arrived in Guilford County, NC, about 1785-1787, probably. He appeared in the 1790 census, along with a Jacob Heath and a William Heath. They seem to be related, since there are common Christian names in the families, and mutual friends, as indicated by wills and land records. In 1790, Smith's household had 1 male over 16 and 4 males under 16 (fwm), and 5 females (fwf). He lived in northeastern Guilford County until he died in the winter of 1815-16. He was probably born before 1750, and that date could be as much as 10-20 years earlier. His daughter Mary was old enough to have a child in 1788-1789. He wrote his will (Guilford Will Book A: 0184, under surname Haith) in July 1805, and it was probated at February Court 1816. He left his wife Tabitha the plantation, the house and moveables, during her widowhood. He also stated that his sons Henry, John, and Samuel would divide the land. His grandson Thomas Dick was left an equal share in moveable property. Executors were wife Tabitha Heath and son John Heath. He had at least one daughter, and probably two or more, if the 1790 census is any indication. Mary was one, and another was probably Elizabeth, based on the evidence from other sources. I do not know if Tabitha was the mother of his children; there is no Guilford County marriage bond for them (not surprising, considering Guilford was created in 1771), and I've been unable to find a marriage bond for them in my searches so far of NC/VA/MD records. The few times Smith Heath sold land in Guil ford County were after the time period when NC demanded a dower release. I've searched for a Heath-Smith marriage that might be his parents or grandparents, but I haven't found one yet. I have been unsuccessful to date in finding Smith Heath in North Carolina records, despite searching through Heath family groups in the NC counties of Surry, Granville, Dobbs, Duplin, Halifax, Brunswick, Craven, and Currituck. I haven't exhausted those records yet, but I am starting to look to the north of the VA/NC border, as I know there were a number of Heath/Heeth families in VA. Does anyone happen to know who Smith was, who were his parents, and where he grew up and married? Thank you in advance for any suggestions or help you can give me. Since he arrived in Guilford with teenage children in the household, I assume he left some footprints somewhere! Katherine Dick Benbow

In a message dated 07/17/2005 3:27:09 PM Eastern Daylight Time, tglover@knology.net writes: In looking through the earliest deed and will books of Henrico, VA With a quick glance at some Prince George County records and wills: March 27, 1787 ... a Thomas Griffin Peachy of Petersburg is mentioned in a deed as security and several more with two names are mentioned in wills and several with middle initials ie: John H. Claiborne. This record book covers 1733-1792 and with just a quick glance found nothing earlier. Most of the earlier names are either Jr., Sr., the elder , familar to us all. MJ

Certainly agree that this is an interesting question. Just a quick scan in some of my books I did find a middle name as early as 1726 and their may be others: Births from the Bristol Parish Register...transcribed by C.G. Chamberlayne: <sic> Mary gardiner D of Gardiner and Eliz Mayes born 13 Oct 1726 From my own lines I do have several with middle names beginning as early as 1760s: Albemarle Parish Register 1717-1778 by John Bennett Boddie Clairbourne, Augustine and Mary had daughter Lucy Herbert Clairbourne August 22, 1760. Charles Parish Records, York County, Virginia, 1648-1789 Roberts Records: ROBERTS THOMAS POWELL, son of Thos. and Lucy, b. May 27, bap. June 26, 1768 Curious as to when the law in question was abolished. Mary Jean "Middle names, hard as it is to credit in this generation, were once illegal. The old English law was very definite as to the naming of children and, according to Coke, "a man cannot have two names of baptism". It is requisite, the law goes on, "that the purchaser be named by the name of his baptism and his surname, and that special heed be taken to the name of baptism". In a message dated 07/17/2005 3:27:09 PM Eastern Daylight Time, tglover@knology.net writes: Most interesting. In looking through the earliest deed and will books of Henrico, VA, I can remember only one person with a middle name- Welcome William Hodges. Any one run across others with a 2 forenames in VA before 1800.

Most interesting. In looking through the earliest deed and will books of Henrico, VA, I can remember only one person with a middle name- Welcome William Hodges. Any one run across others with a 2 forenames in VA before 1800. Middle names, hard as it is to credit in this generation, were once illegal. The old English law was very definite as to the naming of children and, according to Coke, "a man cannot have two names of baptism". It is requisite, the law goes on, "that the purchaser be named by the name of his baptism and his surname, and that special heed be taken to the name of baptism".

I appreciate that you are quoting from old publications such as "Harper's Magazine. I subscribe to the Smithsonian Magazine and am often surprised by the articles in which one (except for me) find ancestors referred to. There was a nice article on old English songs and the researcher from England was surprised and pleased to find many of the old songs still being sung in the West Virginia and Kentucky areas. There were photos of the women and if they had my family names I would have been elated. The point is: Genealogists may find family records in places not commonly found in genealogy library collections. Tree Mother researching: Langford/Lankford, Jackson, Hampton, Roberts, Creel, Dearman, Brigman, Wilkinson, Going, Payne, and many many more families. "She is insane, of course. The family history has become a mania for her." Hercule Poirot ----- Original Message ----- From: <GLSGAB@aol.com> To: <VA-SOUTHSIDE-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Sunday, July 17, 2005 1:10 PM Subject: Re: [VA-SOUTHSIDE-L] "middle names" > I found this years ago and it has proven to be true in my English families > and even some others. > > Grace S. Green > > Middle Names Illegal For Our English Ancestors > > > >From an article in "Harper's Magazine", early 1900's: via Smoke > Signals, publication of Ottawa County Genealogical Society, Miami, OK. > > Middle names, hard as it is to credit in this generation, were once illegal. > The old English law was very definite as to the naming of children and, > according to Coke, "a man cannot have two names of baptism". It is requisite, the > law goes on, "that the purchaser be named by the name of his baptism and his > surname, and that special > heed be taken to the name of baptism". > > Royal personages have always been allowed to have more than one given name, > but as late as 1600, it is said, there were only four persons in all England > who had two given names. In 1620 the Mayflower sailed for America, and there was > not a man or woman upon it who had a middle name. > > Even a century and a half ago, double names were very uncommon. The English > used to dodge the law at times by ingeniously compounding names. Thus an old > parish register in England may occasionally show combinations such as > Fannasabilia, which is Fanny and Sibyl joined together, and Anna and Maria. Maris is one > of the earliest middle > names of record for boys. It was given in honor of the Virgin Mary. > As much as they dared, beginning along in the eighteenth century, parents > evaded the "one name law". > > But, even as late as 100 years ago, custom was against the middle name. If > the names of the signers of the Declaration of independence > be looked over, it will be found that only three of them had middle names. > the first five presidents of the United States had only one name each -- George > Washington, - John Adams Thomas Jefferson - James Madison - and James Monroe. > Before Grant, eighteenth of the line, there were only three double named > executives: John Quincy Adams - William Henry Harrison - and James Knox Polk. > > When middle names got going and became the fashion, the law having dropped > into disuse, parents went to work combining names for their > offspring enthusiastically One custom was done away with in England in > consequence of this, the plan of naming eldest son for the estate, > particularly where he succeeds to that estate through his mother. > This old practice is still followed to some extent in this country by the > mother's maiden name being given to the eldest son, and this identifies the boy > when he reaches manhood, and so has some purpose. > >From the Augusta Genealogical Society, vol 3, issue 2. > > Reprinted here with the permission of the Savannah River Valley Genealogical > Society, Hart County, GA > > > > > > ==== VA-SOUTHSIDE Mailing List ==== > USGenWeb Archives Census Project > http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/census/ > > ============================== > Search Family and Local Histories for stories about your family and the > areas they lived. Over 85 million names added in the last 12 months. > Learn more: http://www.ancestry.com/s13966/rd.ashx > >

My mother's middle name is Rose and I have traced it back to 1816 where Grace Rose married John Bransfield in Newfoundland. Every generation there was a "Rose" for the first or middle name of the female since then. Unfortunately, I think the "Rose" will die with use as none of my siblings has named their chidl "Rose". My mom has only one grandaughter. I have a whole surname lineage that is dying out now also I believe, my Moffitts. They only had a daughter so the surname wont be carried out, no more males. cristy

Forgot to mention, my James E. A. Moffitt was born in the early 1800's in Nova Scotia and immigrated to Boston, MA. cristy ----- Original Message ----- From: "Mickey Fournier" <mickey@se.rr.com> To: <VA-SOUTHSIDE-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Sunday, July 17, 2005 1:45 PM Subject: RE: [VA-SOUTHSIDE-L] "middle names" > In my own early British - American families, middle names began to show up > about 1830. Prior to that date, if a person had two forenames, they were > the first and last name of an ancestor or someone the parents admired. > Every family in American had a George Washington Whatever. In many > instances it was a maternal grandfather as in my Hezekiah Powell Smithson > (b. 1792) and Hugh Allison McMackin (b.1799). > > German families often gave all their children the same name and a "call > name" by which they were known. My own Germans actually only used the > call > name. > > I am very skeptical of Mary Annes,etc., before 1800. > > Mildred "Mickey" Fournier > 1730 SE CR 252 > Lake City, FL 32025 > mickey@se.rr.com > >> -----Original Message----- >> From: Paul Drake [mailto:pauldrake@charter.net] >> Sent: Sunday, July 17, 2005 12:03 PM >> To: VA-SOUTHSIDE-L@rootsweb.com >> Subject: [VA-SOUTHSIDE-L] "middle names" >> >> ----- Original Message ----- >> From: Thel >> To: Paul Drake >> Sent: Sunday, July 17, 2005 10:34 AM >> Subject: Middle Names >> >> >> "... have you ever run across anyone in the records who had a >> middle name or initial in the early 1700's. What's the >> earliest date you found 2 forenames or initials being used? >> I'm trying to point out obvious fallacies in Pardue/Perdue >> lineages before our reunion at the end of this month. Do you >> know of any research that has been done on this question? >> Have you ever seen this discussed in a book or on the internet? >> >> ****** >> >> Quite usually, except among the very high class in society, >> folks in Colonial America and even down to 1800 did not use >> middle names. With the coming of the Europeans, especially >> the German speaking folks who almost universally used 2 >> forenames, within a few decades after the Revolution, those >> of us with English, Irish, Scottish, and Welch ancestry >> adopted that practice and by 1900 the vast majority of kids >> were given 2 such forenames. >> >> Do I know of some study? Nope, I think the facts I have >> stated are commonly known. Hope this helps >> >> >> -------------------------------------------------------------- >> ------------------ >> >> >> ==== VA-SOUTHSIDE Mailing List ==== >> Rootsweb Acceptable Use Policy forbids posting copyrighted >> material which you do not own to Rootsweb Lists. >> >> ============================== >> New! Family Tree Maker 2005. Build your tree and search for >> your ancestors at the same time. Share your tree with family >> and friends. Learn more: >> http://landing.ancestry.com/familytreemaker/2005/tour.aspx?sou > rceid=14599&targetid=5429 >> > > > ==== VA-SOUTHSIDE Mailing List ==== > Do not post Advertisements, Chain Letters, Virus Warnings etc. to this > list. If in doubt, Contact: G. Lee Hearl, Adm. at: glh@naxs.com > Hosted by Rootsweb http://www.rootsweb.com > > ============================== > Census images 1901, 1891, 1881 and 1871, plus so much more. > Ancestry.com's United Kingdom & Ireland Collection. Learn more: > http://www.ancestry.com/s13968/rd.ashx > >

I have found an ancestor with two middle initials between his given name and surname, James E. A. Moffitt. I thought that was odd. cristy ----- Original Message ----- From: "Paul Drake" <pauldrake@charter.net> To: <VA-SOUTHSIDE-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Sunday, July 17, 2005 1:02 PM Subject: [VA-SOUTHSIDE-L] "middle names" > ----- Original Message ----- > From: Thel > To: Paul Drake > Sent: Sunday, July 17, 2005 10:34 AM > Subject: Middle Names > > > "... have you ever run across anyone in the records who had a middle name > or initial in the early 1700's. What's the earliest date you found 2 > forenames or initials being used? I'm trying to point out obvious > fallacies in Pardue/Perdue lineages before our reunion at the end of this > month. Do you know of any research that has been done on this question? > Have you ever seen this discussed in a book or on the internet? > > ****** > > Quite usually, except among the very high class in society, folks in > Colonial America and even down to 1800 did not use middle names. With the > coming of the Europeans, especially the German speaking folks who almost > universally used 2 forenames, within a few decades after the Revolution, > those of us with English, Irish, Scottish, and Welch ancestry adopted that > practice and by 1900 the vast majority of kids were given 2 such > forenames. > > Do I know of some study? Nope, I think the facts I have stated are > commonly known. Hope this helps > > > -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > > > ==== VA-SOUTHSIDE Mailing List ==== > Rootsweb Acceptable Use Policy forbids posting copyrighted material which > you do not own to Rootsweb Lists. > > ============================== > New! Family Tree Maker 2005. Build your tree and search for your ancestors > at the same time. Share your tree with family and friends. Learn more: > http://landing.ancestry.com/familytreemaker/2005/tour.aspx?sourceid=14599&targetid=5429 > >

I found this years ago and it has proven to be true in my English families and even some others. Grace S. Green Middle Names Illegal For Our English Ancestors From an article in "Harper's Magazine", early 1900's: via Smoke Signals, publication of Ottawa County Genealogical Society, Miami, OK. Middle names, hard as it is to credit in this generation, were once illegal. The old English law was very definite as to the naming of children and, according to Coke, "a man cannot have two names of baptism". It is requisite, the law goes on, "that the purchaser be named by the name of his baptism and his surname, and that special heed be taken to the name of baptism". Royal personages have always been allowed to have more than one given name, but as late as 1600, it is said, there were only four persons in all England who had two given names. In 1620 the Mayflower sailed for America, and there was not a man or woman upon it who had a middle name. Even a century and a half ago, double names were very uncommon. The English used to dodge the law at times by ingeniously compounding names. Thus an old parish register in England may occasionally show combinations such as Fannasabilia, which is Fanny and Sibyl joined together, and Anna and Maria. Maris is one of the earliest middle names of record for boys. It was given in honor of the Virgin Mary. As much as they dared, beginning along in the eighteenth century, parents evaded the "one name law". But, even as late as 100 years ago, custom was against the middle name. If the names of the signers of the Declaration of independence be looked over, it will be found that only three of them had middle names. the first five presidents of the United States had only one name each -- George Washington, - John Adams Thomas Jefferson - James Madison - and James Monroe. Before Grant, eighteenth of the line, there were only three double named executives: John Quincy Adams - William Henry Harrison - and James Knox Polk. When middle names got going and became the fashion, the law having dropped into disuse, parents went to work combining names for their offspring enthusiastically One custom was done away with in England in consequence of this, the plan of naming eldest son for the estate, particularly where he succeeds to that estate through his mother. This old practice is still followed to some extent in this country by the mother's maiden name being given to the eldest son, and this identifies the boy when he reaches manhood, and so has some purpose. From the Augusta Genealogical Society, vol 3, issue 2. Reprinted here with the permission of the Savannah River Valley Genealogical Society, Hart County, GA

I've seen Quakers use middle names when they've named a child after someone else, by using the person's last name as the child's middle name. I've seen other instances, when the middle name had a meaning, such as Benoni for sorrow. Katherine Dick Benbow

In my own early British - American families, middle names began to show up about 1830. Prior to that date, if a person had two forenames, they were the first and last name of an ancestor or someone the parents admired. Every family in American had a George Washington Whatever. In many instances it was a maternal grandfather as in my Hezekiah Powell Smithson (b. 1792) and Hugh Allison McMackin (b.1799). German families often gave all their children the same name and a "call name" by which they were known. My own Germans actually only used the call name. I am very skeptical of Mary Annes,etc., before 1800. Mildred "Mickey" Fournier 1730 SE CR 252 Lake City, FL 32025 mickey@se.rr.com > -----Original Message----- > From: Paul Drake [mailto:pauldrake@charter.net] > Sent: Sunday, July 17, 2005 12:03 PM > To: VA-SOUTHSIDE-L@rootsweb.com > Subject: [VA-SOUTHSIDE-L] "middle names" > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: Thel > To: Paul Drake > Sent: Sunday, July 17, 2005 10:34 AM > Subject: Middle Names > > > "... have you ever run across anyone in the records who had a > middle name or initial in the early 1700's. What's the > earliest date you found 2 forenames or initials being used? > I'm trying to point out obvious fallacies in Pardue/Perdue > lineages before our reunion at the end of this month. Do you > know of any research that has been done on this question? > Have you ever seen this discussed in a book or on the internet? > > ****** > > Quite usually, except among the very high class in society, > folks in Colonial America and even down to 1800 did not use > middle names. With the coming of the Europeans, especially > the German speaking folks who almost universally used 2 > forenames, within a few decades after the Revolution, those > of us with English, Irish, Scottish, and Welch ancestry > adopted that practice and by 1900 the vast majority of kids > were given 2 such forenames. > > Do I know of some study? Nope, I think the facts I have > stated are commonly known. Hope this helps > > > -------------------------------------------------------------- > ------------------ > > > ==== VA-SOUTHSIDE Mailing List ==== > Rootsweb Acceptable Use Policy forbids posting copyrighted > material which you do not own to Rootsweb Lists. > > ============================== > New! Family Tree Maker 2005. Build your tree and search for > your ancestors at the same time. Share your tree with family > and friends. Learn more: > http://landing.ancestry.com/familytreemaker/2005/tour.aspx?sou rceid=14599&targetid=5429 >

Just my nickel's worth, but I have an example of a 'second' name being used in the mid-1700s in North Carolina. George Brin(n) Harris appears in Carteret County records from 1747 until the early 1800s. There was no other George Harris in the county until close to 1800. I've yet to find the reason why Brin(n) was used or where it came from. None of George Brin Harris's children ever appear with middle names or middle initials. Another odd thing was that he was a Quaker (tho not necessarily born a Quaker) and my understanding is that Quakers did not use middle names. He is one of only a handful of people appearing in the counties court records who is consistently listed with a 'second' name. If anyone has any ideas why I'd love to hear them. Thanks. Joel http://www.mindspring.com/~jsruss/ At 01:02 PM 7/17/2005, Paul Drake wrote: >----- Original Message ----- >From: Thel >To: Paul Drake >Sent: Sunday, July 17, 2005 10:34 AM >Subject: Middle Names > > >"... have you ever run across anyone in the records who had a middle name >or initial in the early 1700's. What's the earliest date you found 2 >forenames or initials being used? I'm trying to point out obvious >fallacies in Pardue/Perdue lineages before our reunion at the end of this >month. Do you know of any research that has been done on this question? >Have you ever seen this discussed in a book or on the internet? > >****** > >Quite usually, except among the very high class in society, folks in >Colonial America and even down to 1800 did not use middle names. With the >coming of the Europeans, especially the German speaking folks who almost >universally used 2 forenames, within a few decades after the Revolution, >those of us with English, Irish, Scottish, and Welch ancestry adopted that >practice and by 1900 the vast majority of kids were given 2 such forenames. > >Do I know of some study? Nope, I think the facts I have stated are >commonly known. Hope this helps > > >-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > > >==== VA-SOUTHSIDE Mailing List ==== >Rootsweb Acceptable Use Policy forbids posting copyrighted material which >you do not own to Rootsweb Lists. > >============================== >New! Family Tree Maker 2005. Build your tree and search for your ancestors >at the same time. Share your tree with family and friends. Learn more: >http://landing.ancestry.com/familytreemaker/2005/tour.aspx?sourceid=14599&targetid=5429

This will likely apply to only a few on the board but for those researching VA and living just about anywhere in the Ohio River Valley a dandy one day seminar is coming up Saturday 6 August at the Kentucky History Center in Frankfort, KY. It is sponsored by the Kentucky Genealogical Society. The title is "Researching Virginia's Records from Your Home." The morning session covers material available via interlibrary loan and Family History centers. The afternoon session, "Virginia On-line", covers internet resources. The lecturer is Barbara Vines Little and for any who has not been lucky enough to attend one of her presentations before, this lady is absolutely world class. The price is right: 30 bucks and that includes lunch. Brochure and registration material at the Kentucky Historical Society, 502-564-1792. John M. Poythress

----- Original Message ----- From: Thel To: Paul Drake Sent: Sunday, July 17, 2005 10:34 AM Subject: Middle Names "... have you ever run across anyone in the records who had a middle name or initial in the early 1700's. What's the earliest date you found 2 forenames or initials being used? I'm trying to point out obvious fallacies in Pardue/Perdue lineages before our reunion at the end of this month. Do you know of any research that has been done on this question? Have you ever seen this discussed in a book or on the internet? ****** Quite usually, except among the very high class in society, folks in Colonial America and even down to 1800 did not use middle names. With the coming of the Europeans, especially the German speaking folks who almost universally used 2 forenames, within a few decades after the Revolution, those of us with English, Irish, Scottish, and Welch ancestry adopted that practice and by 1900 the vast majority of kids were given 2 such forenames. Do I know of some study? Nope, I think the facts I have stated are commonly known. Hope this helps --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The new Google image/pic search. Helpful and perhaps worthwhile !! http://www.google.com/advanced_image_search?hl=en