Thank you for your reply! I had heard rumors that there was a Dutch connection in my family. The John in question does seem to be possibly or Western European extraction. Brenda J Scott Dispatcher-Smart Parks -----Original Message----- From: Alice [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Thursday, June 16, 2005 2:27 PM To: [email protected] Subject: [VALOUDOU-L] middle names Your question on the nameing practice is a good one....I do know that the early Dutch and German families very often had a first and middle name....My understanding is that they often used the middle name as what they called their "Calling" name and that the first name was a Baptismal name....In the eighteen Hundreds I also have had problems with the use of the same first name over and over in every generation and not a sign of a middle name....aaaahgh... Maybe some one with more expertise can clarify a bit....Alice ==== VALOUDOU Mailing List ==== Have you posted your Loudoun Co. surnames lately? New members are joining our mailing list every day. Be sure to periodically remind us of your Loudoun research interests.