Clues in first names of ancestors (German, American, find, search)

[tassity22]

Has anyone here looked through your ancestor names to try and find clues about their origins, by looking at the first names, if you can't really learn much by looking at only their surnames? Example, finding a name such as Carlos in a family tree might be a hint of Spanish ancestry. Finding many first names spelled with a K instead of C might hint toward German ancestry. People tend to carry on first names of people in their family or from their cultural heritage, so even if they have last names that were changed or Anglicized when they came to Ellis Island, they might still use ethnic first names.

[oregonwoodsmoke]

It might be helpful, but I've got ancestors that I know for certain that the spelling of their name was changed when they entered America. With other ancestors, the spelling might have been changed or it might not. No way to find out.

[tassity22]

That is why I think it might be more helpful to look at first names rather than last names for clues of someone's heritage.

[southbound_295]

Originally Posted by tassity22

That is why I think it might be more helpful to look at first names rather than last names for clues of someone's heritage.

That works up to a point. I have a family with absolutely no Spanish heritage, but several children were given names with Spanish origins that were in vogue in the 19th century. If you find an ethnic name, look at census records in the area to see if other children are being given the same name.

[SunGrins]

I have German and Irish ancestors who followed some naming patterns that helped identify the earlier generations....but not always. My dad's baptismal name was Otto Emil Phillip John which corresponds to his dad, paternal aunt (Emilie), maternal grandfather and maternal great-uncle (and uncle). The Irish ancestors seemed very rigid with using ancestor names but when a child died they reused the name for the next one born...helpful but also confusing. They also were a little casual in spelling the names -- Miles vs. Myles, Edward vs. Edmund.

[aries63]

Carlos is a name that has been used by Anglo-Americans and African Americans for a long time. The actor Chuck Norris was born Carlos Norris, there are many other examples. Juanita is probably the most common Spanish name that made its way into the general population (less common now).

I was surprised when I found out my grandmother, who we always knew as Emily on all her current documentation, and used the nickname "Emmie", had "Emilia" on her birth certificate. Her parents were born in the US to German immigrants. The name Emilia was common in her family tree.

[southbound_295]

Originally Posted by aries63

Carlos is a name that has been used by Anglo-Americans and African Americans for a long time. The actor Chuck Norris was born Carlos Norris, there are many other examples. Juanita is probably the most common Spanish name that made its way into the general population (less common now).

I was surprised when I found out my grandmother, who we always knew as Emily on all her current documentation, and used the nickname "Emmie", had "Emilia" on her birth certificate. Her parents were born in the US to German immigrants. The name Emilia was common in her family tree.

I'm talking about names like Inez & Dolores. I've got an Inez in 19th century Michigan. Several ethnic names were in that family, including her grandmother, Arminda, born in upstate NY circa 1800. Over a period of time, I noticed other Armindas in census records, all about the same age, all born in NY.

[StayingAfterSunday]

Originally Posted by SunGrins

I have German and Irish ancestors who followed some naming patterns that helped identify the earlier generations....but not always. My dad's baptismal name was Otto Emil Phillip John which corresponds to his dad, paternal aunt (Emilie), maternal grandfather and maternal great-uncle (and uncle). The Irish ancestors seemed very rigid with using ancestor names but when a child died they reused the name for the next one born...helpful but also confusing. They also were a little casual in spelling the names -- Miles vs. Myles, Edward vs. Edmund.

Since my father's side came from Northern Ireland, my experience with first names has focused primarily on Irish customs. SunGrins, I learned something from your post, something I'd puzzled over in my genealogy research, and that is the Irish practice of using a deceased child's name for the next child born. I'd suspected as much, but was never certain. Thank you for the info. I also wondered about the spelling of names and how much thought went into such, but you answered that question for me, too. Thanks again. (My one grandmother, whose parents came from Ireland, was named Christine, and her middle name was "Maryland:" Obviously, her mother was shooting for "Marilyn," but her casual approach brought about the incorrect proper name.)

Speaking of the Irish, for those who are beginning to explore their Irish heritage and feel a bit baffled as I was early on in the search, some other little things worth noting are:

The first born son is usually named after the father's father, whereas the first-born daughter is named after the mother's mother. The second-born son takes the name of the mother's father, and the second-born daughter is named after the father's mother. And so on.

Also, in Ireland, Catholics have quite predictable first names all the way back as far as your research will take you. Children are usually named after saints, and there are hundreds of thousands of the same names: John, James, Mary, Margaret, and so on. Enough of the same names to produce overwhelmingly similar results when conducting a search.

[StayingAfterSunday]

Originally Posted by southbound_295

That works up to a point. I have a family with absolutely no Spanish heritage, but several children were given names with Spanish origins that were in vogue in the 19th century. If you find an ethnic name, look at census records in the area to see if other children are being given the same name.

And sometimes a complete search will reveal an answer to the mystery:

My ex-husband's maternal side descended from the infamous Hatfield family of W. Virginia.
Although they were of English descent, for some reason my ex-husband's Hatfield grandfather insisted on naming his youngest daughter, Juana. No family connection as far as anyone could see at first. Upon further research, however, it was discovered the family had a "Gonzalez" way back in their family tree. So, in a way, the name, "Juana" made sense.

[Cindiana]

My mom's name was Inez Rosita, she was named after a friend of my grandmother.