We genealogists both love and hate the censuses. And we each could cite examples of our feelings for both reactions. May I share an example of "scratching our heads" regarding census information?
Way, way back in 1998, Barbara Johnson shared with me her research example of names:
- 1820 - DE-Kent Co - Garrettson Jarrell
- 1830 - IN-Franklin Co - Garrett Fitzgerald
- 1840 - IN-Franklin Co - Garret F. Jarrell
- 1850 - IN-Marshall Co - Garrett Jerrell
- 1860 - IN-Marshall Co Mortality Schedule - Garrett Fitzgerald
- 1870 - IN-Marshall Co - Permelia Gerrall
- 1880 - IN-Marshall Co - Olphelia Jerrolds
- Then Permelia Jarrell until her death in 1903.
But checking on www.FindAGrave.org, her obituary posted there calls her Parmela Jarrell.
Think how these surnames morphed over 100 years. Think about your ancestral surnames. Is your mind open to the many possible, potential changes??????
When Barbara shared this story with me so long ago, she added: "There was a common practice among what appear to be related families in these areas to use a middle initial "F" to stand for a dropped "Fitz" and eventually the "Fitz" was just dropped."
There are surely a million words written explaining and or describing the evolution of surnames but OUR surname is what matters to US, right?
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