Just wanted anyone's opinion on this. I have a Grand Uncle who's name is Ira M. Dunlap. A few days ago, his son Ronnie, emailed me and said that Ira never really had a middle name, but used his mother's maiden name, Myers, as his middle initial. Has anyone ever heard of such a thing and should this be noted (and of course further researched)? Thanks, Cristy

Hi, Thought some on the list may not have encountered this before. It does help to look at naming patterns, even when they are not followed exactly "by the book". June OLD NAMING PATTERNS The first son was named after the father's father. The second son was named after the mother's father. The third son was named after the father. The fourth son was named after the fathers eldest brother. The first daughter was named after the mother's mother. The second daughter was named after the father's mother. The third daughter was named after the mother. The fourth daughter was named after the mothers eldest sister, always. ALSO: 2nd wife's oldest daughter named after the first wife, using her full name. Children after those listed above were usually named after a favorite relative with some possible exceptions: If a child died in infancy, a later child might be given the same name. When a newly ordained minister baptized his first child, if that child were a boy, he would be named for the minister, if a girl, she would receive his surname as her middle name. If a child were fostered, usually because of being orphaned, he may be named for the foster parent.