German names were misspelled due to having that thick German accent in most cases, this happen with one of my family lines when they first came over. (Henline from Hanlon) Just a little FYI on why names are different. Beckie Anne McCoy > Hello Listers, > > I've been watching the PINER/PINOR postings with interest and just a little > curiosity. Is there any chance the name could ever have been > mis-transcribed > from RINER/RINOR, or vice-versa? The Riner/Rinor's from the Germanna Colony > of > Culpeper are my ancestors. > > I know that names are often mis-transcribed or misinterpreted from the old > handwriting. For example, KENDRICK is sometimes misread as HENDRICK. > > Just wondering........ > Joyce >