Brotherly name copying.

[benny1982]

Hi

My 3xgreat grandfather Thomas Musgrave born 1827 had 3 brothers, Henry, Robert and Nathan.

In 1854 Thomas and his wife had a daughter called Jane. In 1855 Henry and his wife had a daughter called Jane. Both registered.

In 1856 Thomas had a son George and Robert had a son in 1856 called George. Both cousins were baptised on the same day. One was registered and one wasn't.

In 1868 Robert, Thomas and Henry all had a daughter and all were given the first name Mary. One was given a different middle name but all given the same first name. All 3 births were registered.

In March 1871 Thomas and Nathan Musgrave both had a daughter born. One born 1st march the other born 30th March. Both called Margaret. One was registered in time and one was registered a few weeks late, the one born on 1 March, Thomas's daughter.

Gosh and they wondered why their descendants get confused at their lack of thinking of names for their children and just copying names their siblings gave.

Ben

 

[Gerard]

Hello,

Have a look here.

I do not suppose this was completely standard but at worst it is a "rough" guide.

Cheers,

Gerard

 

[gibbo]

Hello,

Have a look here.

I do not suppose this was completely standard but at worst it is a "rough" guide.

Cheers,

Gerard

Hi Gerard,
That link was interesting. My Sampson Collins Richards comes from Cornwall and his mother's maiden name was Collins. Now i know why he got that for a second name. :biggrin:

 

[Gerard]

Using a maiden name in the UK (and I know it was also used in the USA) was not uncommon and sometimes carried through the generations. My ggggm was Mary Powell and the name Powell was used as a second forename for males until the last generation.


Gerard

 

[benny1982]

Hi

That is why there are so many instances of namesake cousins. It can lead you on a merry dance. The 4 Musgrave brothers have had 4 instances where they have named their children the same. Two Georges born about the same time, two Jane's, two Margaret's and 3 Mary Ann's. That can explain why some births went unregistered if two babies of the same name were born, the registrar may have not known there was two births at the same time.

Ben