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Understanding surnames and given names can help you find and identify your ancestors in the records.<br | Understanding surnames and given names can help you find and identify your ancestors in the records.<br> | ||
=== Surnames === | === Surnames === | ||
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Before record-keeping began, most people had only one name, such as John. As the population increased, it became necessary to distinguish between individuals with the same name. The problem was usually solved by adding descriptive information. John became John the skredder (tailor), John the son of Matthew, John the short, or John from Nordgaard (farm). At first, such "surnames" applied only to one person and not to the whole family. After a few generations, these names were passed from father to son. | Before record-keeping began, most people had only one name, such as John. As the population increased, it became necessary to distinguish between individuals with the same name. The problem was usually solved by adding descriptive information. John became John the skredder (tailor), John the son of Matthew, John the short, or John from Nordgaard (farm). At first, such "surnames" applied only to one person and not to the whole family. After a few generations, these names were passed from father to son. | ||
Surnames developed from four major sources: <br | Surnames developed from four major sources: <br> | ||
* '''Patronymic''', based on a parent's name, such as Siver Jensen (son of Jens) | * '''Patronymic''', based on a parent's name, such as Siver Jensen (son of Jens) | ||
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Two or three children in the same family sometimes were given the same given name. In some cases it was done because an older child died and the next child was given the same name. However, two or more children by the same given name lived. Therefore, do not presume that the first child with the same given name died unless the actual death records is found. | Two or three children in the same family sometimes were given the same given name. In some cases it was done because an older child died and the next child was given the same name. However, two or more children by the same given name lived. Therefore, do not presume that the first child with the same given name died unless the actual death records is found. | ||
[[Category:Norway]] | |||