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Course image English: Understanding Names in Genealogy
Intermediate English Records
Course Summary:
Optional Print Course Material: English: Understanding Names in Genealogy
*Course material will only be sent to students who are registered in the course.
Genealogical research is largely based on names—but what is the origin of names—surnames, first names and place names. A knowledge of their derivation and how they are connected affords an increased understanding of the genealogical research process.
You will constantly be reminded of the inter-relationship of the names of places and people. You will also find references to the inter-connected naming of many things—as diverse as buildings, festivals, and special days—all of which have some bearing on the search for a family’s history.
Course Length: 7 weeks
Contact Hours: 18
Grading Scale: 70% Tests/30% Assignments
Course Length: 7 weeks
Course Content
MODULE 1
INTRODUCTION
Understanding Names
Spelling
Introduction to Orthography
Normal Spelling Variation
Phonetics & Spelling
Spelling Groupings on Indexes
Old Parochial Registers of Scotland
Foreign Alphabets
Spelling & Pronunciation in Documents
MODULE 2
SURNAMES
What Is a Surname
Derivation of Surnames
Nicknames
Patronymics
Patronymic Affixes
Researching with Patronymics
Indexing Patronymic Names
Parish Register Technique for Patronymics
MODULE 3
SURNAMES…Continued
Polygenetic Surnames
Extra Differentiating Surnames
English By-Names
Scottish ‘Tee Names’ or ‘Teetles’
Canadian ‘Styling’
Welsh By-Names
Aliases
Surname Changes
Differentiation of People & Families
Swedish Army Names
Replacing Common Surnames
Errors in Records
Homes of British Surnames
Working with Surnames
Did Your Name Come with the Conqueror?
Other Surnames from France
Descent from Earlier Anglo-Saxons & Celts
Pedigree Bibliographies
Surname Dictionaries
Surnames in Latin or Abbreviated?
One-Name Studies
Surname Frequency
Geographical Distribution
A Study in Welsh Surname Distribution
The Surname—Father Link
No Surname
MODULE 4
GIVEN NAMES
Basic Indo-European Naming System
Sources of Given Names
Origin of Our Set of Given Names
Influence of Modern Culture
Use of Surnames as Given Names
Other Sources of Given Names
Reasons for Choice of Names
Gender Non-specific Names
Middle Names
Mistaken Names
Foundlings
Change of Given Name
Non-Names
Given Names Found in Indexes & Online Sources
MODULE 5
PLACE NAMES
Jurisdictional Names in Genealogy
Names Ancient & Modern
Civil & Ecclesiastical Jurisdictions
They Were Born Where?
Animals in Place Names
Plants in Place Names
People in Place Names
Personal Names
Occupations in Place Names
Languages Used in Place Names
Old British Place Names
Roman Place-Names
Latin Words in English Place Names
Germanic/Anglo-Saxon Place Names
Scandinavian Place Names
Norman French Place Names
Comparison of Introduced Names
A Gallimaufry of Place Names
Field Names
Street Names
How Streets are Named
Street Names Abolished & Altered
No Roads in the City of London!
Inn Names
Oddly Named Places
MODULE 6
A MISCELLANY OF NAMES
Categories of Names
Cockney Rhyming Slang
Eponyms
Relationships & Forms of Address
Names for Days
Saints’ Days
Strays
“Suitable” Occupations
Unusual Combinations of Names
Most unpronounceable surname—Squlthz
FURTHER READING
APPENDIX
English Hundreds, Liberties, Wapentakes & Wards
Welsh Hundreds
Topographical Glossary
MODULE 1
INTRODUCTION
Understanding Names
Spelling
Introduction to Orthography
Normal Spelling Variation
Phonetics & Spelling
Spelling Groupings on Indexes
Old Parochial Registers of Scotland
Foreign Alphabets
Spelling & Pronunciation in Documents
MODULE 2
SURNAMES
What Is a Surname
Derivation of Surnames
Nicknames
Patronymics
Patronymic Affixes
Researching with Patronymics
Indexing Patronymic Names
Parish Register Technique for Patronymics
MODULE 3
SURNAMES…Continued
Polygenetic Surnames
Extra Differentiating Surnames
English By-Names
Scottish ‘Tee Names’ or ‘Teetles’
Canadian ‘Styling’
Welsh By-Names
Aliases
Surname Changes
Differentiation of People & Families
Swedish Army Names
Replacing Common Surnames
Errors in Records
Homes of British Surnames
Working with Surnames
Did Your Name Come with the Conqueror?
Other Surnames from France
Descent from Earlier Anglo-Saxons & Celts
Pedigree Bibliographies
Surname Dictionaries
Surnames in Latin or Abbreviated?
One-Name Studies
Surname Frequency
Geographical Distribution
A Study in Welsh Surname Distribution
The Surname—Father Link
No Surname
MODULE 4
GIVEN NAMES
Basic Indo-European Naming System
Sources of Given Names
Origin of Our Set of Given Names
Influence of Modern Culture
Use of Surnames as Given Names
Other Sources of Given Names
Reasons for Choice of Names
Gender Non-specific Names
Middle Names
Mistaken Names
Foundlings
Change of Given Name
Non-Names
Given Names Found in Indexes & Online Sources
MODULE 5
PLACE NAMES
Jurisdictional Names in Genealogy
Names Ancient & Modern
Civil & Ecclesiastical Jurisdictions
They Were Born Where?
Animals in Place Names
Plants in Place Names
People in Place Names
Personal Names
Occupations in Place Names
Languages Used in Place Names
Old British Place Names
Roman Place-Names
Latin Words in English Place Names
Germanic/Anglo-Saxon Place Names
Scandinavian Place Names
Norman French Place Names
Comparison of Introduced Names
A Gallimaufry of Place Names
Field Names
Street Names
How Streets are Named
Street Names Abolished & Altered
No Roads in the City of London!
Inn Names
Oddly Named Places
MODULE 6
A MISCELLANY OF NAMES
Categories of Names
Cockney Rhyming Slang
Eponyms
Relationships & Forms of Address
Names for Days
Saints’ Days
Strays
“Suitable” Occupations
Unusual Combinations of Names
Most unpronounceable surname—Squlthz
FURTHER READING
APPENDIX
English Hundreds, Liberties, Wapentakes & Wards
Welsh Hundreds
Topographical Glossary