My GGrandmother's name was Orissa and I'm wondering if the name is a nickname for someother name. I was told it could be short for Elizabeth but not sure. I'm hoping someone will have the answer...
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On familysearch.org there are 14 million entries with the given name Orissa, so doubt it is a nickname.
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Thank you for answering, but I have a GGGrandmother who was named Elizabeth and was nicknamed Betsey. There are millions of entries with the name Betsey also, but Betsey is short for Elizabeth. I'm still hoping that someone will have a definate answer.
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I've been doing research for 40yrs.for myself, and others. Betsy, Betty, Beth, Eliza, and Lizzie are nicknames for Elizabeth, but I've never heard of Orissa as a nickname. Perhaps it's her middle name??? There are some unusual nicknames i.e.....Agnes=Nancy; Valentine=Felty; Mary=Mollie/Polly; Naomi=Oma, just to name a few. Elizabeth =Orissa sounds a little farfetched, but if it turns out to be the case with your family, I'd like to know. Never too old to learn.
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The reason I'm asking is that every census, all her paper work, death cert., etc., have the name Orissa. When I called the cemetery to find out who else was buried with her and her husband they had her down as Elizabeth. That's when I assumed Orissa may be a nickname.
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You do not make any mention from which country you are making your enquiry but if you are talking about England/UK you might consider whether there are any Indian (Raj) connections. Orissa is a state in India - the British were in India for many years, people often named children after the place where they were born - so Elizabeth (born in) Orissa? and she, or someone liked the name and used it although her legal name was Elizabeth? There is no law against that. I am not suggesting that there were 14 million "Orissas" all named after the place, but if it is attractive many could have just copied it? I agree it does not sound to me as though it is any "pet" form, or "shortening" of Elizabeth. Might be worth a thought if there are any connections. I believe Orissa has now changed its name - easy to check.
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She was born upstate, New York. Her family was living there since the late 1700's. No one else in the family has the name that I could find. I also googled the name and found the same info that you posted. When my mom first mentioned the name, I took a liking to it.
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