Genealogy Chat

Can anyone help? Would siblings have the same christian name even if both were alive? I can understand if one dies another might then be given the dead childs name. But, for example could 'Robert the elder' be brother to 'Robert the younger/junior'? I'd always thought elder/younger or junior was used to differentiate father and son but perhaps it is also for siblings? Thanks in advance Karen

During what time period was this? Apparently it was not unknown for this to happen in the 15th and 16th centuries.

Hi Amanda I'm looking at the 1700's so perhaps a bit late for this? Karen

Karen, It's still not impossible even at that time. I've never come across it personally, except where the first child of that name had died, but I have read about it in genealogy books. Apparently, where the same Christian name was repeated, a different middle name was used to help differentiate between the two. It seems this was more common amongst (though not exclusive to) more affluent families, such as local gentry. One possible reason was that the father was so determined that he would have a son inherit his name, he would increase the likelihood of this by naming two or even three sons after himself, with a different middle name for each. That way, if one were to die there would be another with his name. Amanda

Ahh! That makes sense. The family I'm looking at are affluent farmers/land owners and the particular christian name is 'Rivers', which in itself is unusual. It also helps explain some of the weird marriage dates I'm getting. Many thanks Karen

When ever I've come across it, there have been two people of the same name living in the parish. Some of them have been father and son, others uncle and nephew, and others cousins. Jay

Yes it is possible, I found my maternal grandad on the 1881 with his parents and siblings and thought there was mistake because the two youngest boys aged 4 and 2 had the same christian name. of James. Later found that they were correct ,one was James Joseph and one James Herbert and on a day to day basis they were known in the family by their second names. I remembered the yougest one too as Uncle Herbert ,he died in the 1950,s. would have been going round in circles trying to find his birth cert if i hadnt seen the 1881 census first. Shirley

I've had two Mary's who were differentiated by their middle names: Mary Jane and Mary Ann. That was in the 1800's

i have got 2 familys (related - fathers were brothers) and both of them had 2 kids named william, both alive at same time. 4 william's with the same surname born within 4years of each other.

Thanks for all of your replies. Good to know I wasn't going crazy! I suspect I have a mixture of brothers, uncles and cousins all with the same name - unfortunately none of them seem to have middle names that I can find. Oh well, I'll just keep plodding on, I'm sure it will all make sense eventually! Thanks Karen

I have an ancestor who was born in 1893. She had a son named John in 1912 and another, Also called John in 1919. Both boys lived into old age, but I believe the younger John went by his middle name of Henry....