Parents re-use child's names?
Please forgive me if this is the wrong board for this question: I have had numerous incidences where I find the children of a person, and it seems that--for example, in 1801, they gave birth to a girl named Eunice, and Eunice died that same year. Then a few years later, they have another girl, and name HER Eunice. Does that sound right? Was it common practice to name a child after a deceased sibling? I can't justify these entries being duplicates because the timing of their births and deaths are so far apart, while still claiming the same set of parents. Can anyone help me with this? Thanks in advance!
|
Re: Parents re-use child's names?
I think this was fairly common especially in the days of high infant mortality. It could lead to some odd situations. I found one person who had been registered and baptised Robert. Three years later a brother was registered as Frederick but baptised as Robert - finally found Robert had died about three weeks after Frederick was born and registered, but before he had been baptised. It almost looked as though someone had decided on the way to the church that they would name Frederick Robert after little Robert who had just died. Whatever the original facts Frederick (registered) was now Robert and remained so all his life, all legal references, marriage and burial as Robert. But six years after Frederick (Robert) they had another child who was both registered and baptised as Frederick and became the Frederick for life. It was this family which also busted the myth that if a time of birth is entered it means there were twins. Mother had eleven children, seven of the entries all registered by the Mother had a time of birth on the certificate which, if all were twins would mean there should have been a total of 18 children. Now losing one of a pair of twins might be possible but I really do not believe that she lost one of each of seven pairs of twins? My theory is she was so glad the labour was over, the time of birth was burned into her mind. Sometimes you just have to make up your own mind and accept you are wrong when someone turns up evidence to prove it. Good luck anyway.
|
Re: Parents re-use child's names?
In my own tree it's very common, there's hardly a branch in which it doesn't occur. My 4x Gt. Grandparents had eight children, the first three were named William, Ann, & Sarah and all three died as infants. Children 4, 5 & 6 were named Sarah, Ann, & William and happily all managed to survive long enough to marry and have children.
Linda
|
Re: Parents re-use child's names?
In my studies of family history and history in general I've found this quite common, especially in larger families. One famous example would be Henry VIII and his first wife Catherine of Aragon had three sons who died young, all called Henry.
|