Spelling in the 17th-Century In past centuries, spelling was not standardized as it is now. There was often not one right way to spell a word. This was true for Dutch as well the English and was especially true about names. The last name Westbrook could be written in the records as Westbroeck, Wesbroeck, Westbroek, Wessebroeck, etc.The Problem
Besides a decreased emphasis on convential spelling, other reasons for multiple spellings of a name include:
- The fact that many people were illiterate. The clerk, secretaries, and other literate people, in this case, had to decide on how to spell the person's name.
- The cultural diversity of New Netherland (See Origins Page). Settlers came from a wide variety of places. So, the French, English, and other names were foreign to the Dutch clerks and secretaries, who had to take their best guess. Thus, Caudebec became Koddebec and Richard became Ritsert. Likewise, when the English took over the colony, names were sometimes Anglicized.
One Possible Solution One method that may help genealogists learning to deal with this problem is to take a sticky note (or any piece of scratch paper, for that matter) and write as many spelling variations on a name as comes to mind. The note then can be stuck nearby when the genealogist begins searching microfilms, books, other materials for that particular person or family. Remember, with practice, it becomes easier to spot a name, despite the spelling variation problem.Click here to see sticky notes for the last name Ennis and for the first name Maria. Examples
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Michelle's Main Page New Netherland Family History Names Page (General) To contact me: michelle@boydhouse.com
Last updated 15 Nov 2002.
© Michelle Boyd, 2003.