First Names:
The Dutch Naming Tradition

Why Do Researchers Need to Know This?    The Dutch naming tradition can yield some very useful clues to get over genealogical brick walls. For example, my ancestors, William Ennis and Cornelia Viervant of Kingston, NY, left some very valuable clues in the names of their children that helped researchers determine the names of William's parents. By looking at the names, it could be seen that the couple used the names (in order) Alexander, Cornelius, and William for the sons and Catherine and Jannetje for the daughters. It is known that Cornelia's parents were Cornelis and Jeanne (French equivalent of Jannetje). So, William's parents, it was assumed, were named Alexander and Catherine. This idea was then backed up by other clues found in the records.

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To contact me:  michelle@boydhouse.com
Last updated 21 Oct 2002.
© Michelle Boyd, 2003.