Wales Naming Customs: Difference between revisions

<br> In Wales, if the patronymic naming system was used, the surname of the child was usually based upon the father’s FIRST name. The following chart shows only males (John EVANS, his sons, and his grandsons). Notice the names highlighted in red showing that the FIRST name of John EVANS was used by his sons as their SURNAME. (Thomas JOHNS, for example, means Thomas . . . the son of. . . John) In our example, by the time John EVANS has 20 grandsons, the grandsons have five different surnames. Today, these grandsons (cousins to each other) would all have the same surname (EVANS).  

•Pre 1813 extractions are based on the assumption that everyone in Wales used patronymics before this date;  

•Post 1812 extractions are based on the assumption that no one in Wales used patronymics after this date;  

•Search by given name for christenings before 1813;  

•Search by surname for christenings after 1812;  

•Use the IGI as a starting point but never expect it to represent a high percentage of the population.  

• 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?

• Identify all records for the place or area of interest in the time period. Search those records.

• 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.  

• 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.  

• 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.  

• 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.  

• Evaluate and analyse 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.  

• 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.  

• 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.  

• 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.  

• 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.  

• 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.  

=== See also  ===

=== Web Sites  ===