Dear Group: Via, Viar, and Viare appear within the same families on numerous documents and gravestones. My own view is that it has more to do with how it was spoken out loud and how others heard it and wrote it down or engraved it in stone. Christopher Columbus Via's gravestone bears the professional engraving VIAR, deeds and other documents of his children (indeed his son's Supreme Court filing) use the spelling VIA, Rossie his daughter who is buried in the same cemetary with him has the professionally engraved ROSSIE L. VIARE. Christopher Columbus Via was married in Augusta County on August 29, 1872 and the name VIA is used on his Certificate to Obtain a Marriage License. >My own view is that it has more to do with how it was spoken out loud and how others heard it and wrote it down or engraved it in stone. Today we might order the gravestone maker to do it again and replace the marker - or maybe just take it in stride because we know who we are. Rob > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >