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Wales Naming Customs: Difference between revisions
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•Use the IGI as a starting point but never expect it to represent a high percentage of the population. | •Use the IGI as a starting point but never expect it to represent a high percentage of the population. | ||
<br> One way to learn about naming patterns in Wales is to look at the records both before and after the adoption of fixed surnames. | <br>One way to learn about naming patterns in Wales is to look at the records both before and after the adoption of fixed surnames. | ||
'''Thomas ye son of David Griffith David was baptized they 18 day of 8 ber 1746 at a publick meeting at Mynydd Bach by John Harries'''. (From ''Llyfr Eglwys Mynydd Bach in Y Cofiadur Sef Cylchgrawn Cymdeithas Hanes Annibynwyr Cymru, number 17, March 1947, page 42.'') | '''Thomas ye son of David Griffith David was baptized they 18 day of 8 ber 1746 at a publick meeting at Mynydd Bach by John Harries'''. (From ''Llyfr Eglwys Mynydd Bach in Y Cofiadur Sef Cylchgrawn Cymdeithas Hanes Annibynwyr Cymru, number 17, March 1947, page 42.'') | ||
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When patronymic names may have been used always do your searches by '''given name'''. | When patronymic names may have been used always do your searches by '''given name'''. | ||
=== Solving common name problems === | |||
Many times when you are searching for someone with a common name, research can become difficult because records are not complete or are unavailable and/or there are too many people with the same name or surname. | |||
'''Tips for solving common name problems''' | |||
• Establish an identity for your ancestor. You must know more about your ancestor than simply his or her name. A name, time period and place are critical information. Examples of other information are: Is there a farm name associated with the family? Who were your ancestor’s siblings? What was his/her occupation?<br> | |||
• Identify all records for the place or area of interest in the time period. Search those records.<br> | |||
• Find and use available indexes to these records. Remember that indexes are often incomplete and always have errors. Verify information you find in the index with the actual record. | |||
<br>• Make photocopies of these records as you use them. Oftentimes a piece of information you hadn’t noticed when you first found the record will have significance later. | |||
<br>• Create a database to collect the names you find. Include identifying information. Arrange it so you can sort by name, date, place, event, record type, etc. Use the database when evaluating and making decisions. | |||
<br>• Use more than one record type for information about the individual. Using a variety of appropriate records will help you verify if you have the right person and/or give you the correct perspective on the individual or family. | |||
<br>• Evaluate and analyze each record. The combination of what you know about your ancestor and what you learn from records will allow you to determine if it is consistent, conflicting or new information. | |||
<br>• When you find a christening that you believe is ancestral, make sure the person named in the christening does not die before your ancestor married. If the person in the christening dies as a child, he/she cannot be your ancestor. | |||
<br>• Search for all the siblings of your ancestor. The broader the foundation of family you lay, the easier it will be to work backwards. Oftentimes the clues you need will come from a brother or sister and not necessarily the direct ancestor. | |||
<br>• Do blanket searches for the surname, rather than limiting your search to the immediate family. Check all possibilities of those with the same surname. You may find other family or determine that what you have may not be correct. | |||
<br>• Trace all potential families when you have more than one with the same given and surname. This research may help you to resolve which family is really yours. | |||
<br>• When you scan down a list of names on a record, don’t limit yourself to the primary person. For example: Read the names of the bride, groom and their fathers on a marriage record post-1 July 1837. You will pick up women who are widowed with their maiden names. Be sure to read witness’ names. <br> | |||
Using these tips will help you to clearly identify a person or family members and place them in the correct family. | |||
=== For more information on Welsh names, see: === | === For more information on Welsh names, see: === | ||