It's All In A Name

How many times have you run across a family in the census which looks like yours, but the names aren't quite right? Or you find what appears to be your great-grandfather's marriage license, except it says he's married to someone named Minnie, instead of your great-grandmother Mary? Our ancestors who seemed to change their names often leave us puzzled and frustrated, when in fact such apparent name changes are often just a result of the recording of an individual's nickname or middle name in the official records.

Nicknames can be very important clues in your genealogy quest. You may often find that an ancestor is known by another name other then that given at birth. Nicknames are most often given to children and can be assumed by them throughout life. This can cause them to later appear in official records. When searching for an individual who has a nickname it's important that you search under both their true and nickname (as well as mispellings) before crossing that potential source off the list. To record a nickname in your WRITTEN genealogy, place that nickname beside the real name in parenthesis.

Proper recording of nicknames and aliases in your genealogy is extremely important as it will remind you, as well as alert anybody reviewing your genealogy, that the person who is recorded in your records is known by more then one name.

Common First Name Variations:

Formal Name Alexander Aaron, Arnold Aaron, Ronald Agnes Anne, Ann, Anna Antoinette, Harriet, Jeanette Arabella, Isabel Bertha Bridget Catherine, Cassandra Charles Charlotte Delores, Louise Dora, Dorothy Dorothy Edward, Edmund, Edwin, Edgar Eleanor, Helen Eleanor, Helen, Ellen, Cornelia Eleanor, Helen, Luella Elijah, Elias, Ellis, Elliot Ephemia Esther Frances Florence Frederick Frederick, Richard Henry, Harold, Harrison Harriet, Henrietta, Esther Jacob, John Jane, Jennifer Leanora, Eleanor, Honora Madeline, Carlyn, Caroline Madeline Mary Martha, Matilda Madeline, Matilda, Magdalena Margaret Mary, Minerva, Minna, Wilhelmina Melissa, Millicent Martha, Matilda, Patricia Mary, Paula Sarah Virginia

Nickname Alec, Alex, Sandy Arnie Ron Nessi, Nessa, Aggie Nancy, Nina, Nan, Hannah Netta Belle, Bella, Ara, Arry Boots, Bert, Bertie Biddy, Bridgie, Bridie, Delia Cassie, Kay, Kit, Trina, Lena Chad, Carl, Charlie, Chuck Lottie, Sherry, Char Lola, Lolly, Dee, Della Dody Dolly, Dot, Doty Ned, Ted Lena, Lina, Elana Nell, Nelly Ella Eli Effie Essie, Essa Fan, Fannie, Nancy Flossie Fred, Freddy, Fritz Eric, Rick Hal, Hank, Harry Hattie, Hettie Jack, James, Jake, Jay Jenny, Jean Nora Lynn Maddie, Maggie, Maud Marion, Marla, May, Mimi, Molly Mattie, Matty Maude Peggy, Maggie, Rita, Madge Minnie, Mayme Missy Patty Polly Sadie, Sally Ginger, Ginny, Jenny, Jane

Ellen - Eleanor, Elen, Ella, Elle, Ellena, Helen, Hornora, Nell, Nellie, Nora
Elizabeth - Bessie, Bessey, Bessy, Betty, Betsie, Betsy, Eliza, Libbie, Lisa, Liza, Lizzie, Lizzy, Elsie, Elsy, Elspeth, Elspie

The following sites have a more extensive listing of common nicknames:

Genealogy Links Library, female nicknames

Genealogy Links Library, male nicknames

Nicknames and Naming Patterns

Be sure to visit Looking 4 Kin Genealogy Links and Chat.

While there stop into Looking 4 Kin Genealogy Chat.