Genealogy Chat

I have just received the copy of a Family Tree hand-written many years ago by a long since dead cousin of my Mother's. I'll have to explain a bit of my tree to give the idea of my problem! Viz. My 3x Gt. Grandfather Joseph BLACK, married Mary Ladzrie/Lazzari in 1822 and had 4 children. Mary's brother, Paul, married and had at least 4 children and at least two children married their cousins. Now, under each Black child there is Sp. and two names, one male, one female and either one of them is a Lazzari but not necessarily the name of the spouse, and anyway they didn't ALL marry Lazzaris! I had originally thought it stood for 'spouse' but apparently not! Does anyone have any ideas - it's driving me nuts??!! Thanks in advance! Hazel

Spelling? Pat

Hi Pat, Don't think so....was wondering if their all being Roman Catholics may have anything to do with it? Hazel

Hi Hazel, could it be for sponsor? as in god parent?

If the couple did not have children, sp could stand for sans proles (spelling?) - without children.

I reckon I've seen it before and i'm pretty sure it means spinster

It certainly means Spinster in the Allegations for Licences lists - along with ''b'' for bachelor. Christine

You are sure it says 'sp' and not 'gp' are you? (if gp it could be godparents, as somebody suggested above). Kate.

Reading the header again, more carefully, it does sound like sp = ''sponsor'', which is just another name for ''godparent''. Christine

Hello - sorry I abandoned the board! Jean, you don't sound in a muddle to me - I am pretty sure you are right. Checking again carefully I find that all the Lazzaris mentioned are brothers or sisters of Mary so that would seem to be the most logical answer, especially as there is a lady mentioned who is definitely not the spouse of the Lazzari with whom she is paired under the Black child. Thank you all very much for your input! Hazel

Hazel, it would make a change for me to be right!!! It is usually me asking for help, but your question rang a bell somewhere. I always look to see if I know the answer to queries on these boards but if I do it has already been answered. What would we do without all the very helpful people on here? I'm not including me in that catergory , I have been helped by so many. Good hunting Jean

If they were catholics, they would be sponsors at baptisms.

Hi Jean, You were right this time you see! Also confirmed by Geoff. Thank you. On this written tree, my Mother's cousin also lamented the RC habit of adding a Christian Name at Confirmation making identification far more difficult - Births Certs. not matching Marriage Certs. and so on! Thank you all again for your help. Hazel

Hi, dsp means died without issue could it be that sp means had issue? Gwynne

'Fraid not! d.s.p. is actually died sans prole - so if you take the 'died' away you are still left 'sans prole' - without issue! Hazel

Hi Hazel, Well that is a first for me, delighted to get something right for once. Should put a red star on my pc. lol Jean

Hi Jean, Here you are - * * * * * five stars!!!! (Sorry I can't make them red for you!) Keep it up! Hazel

Thank you kind lady !!! Jean