Names You'll Be Glad Your Mother Didn't Give You. A Humorous Look At Some Interesting Names in My Files.

 This is the post that put us in the top five for Crestleaf Surname Scavenger Hunt Contest.  You can still vote for us - Crestleaf , click on Blog, Surname Scavenger Hunt and vote for Humorous Surnames Genealogy Frame of mind.  If you've voted, Thanks! 


Many years ago when we were expecting we were discussing names. I was convinced that we were having a girl (I was right).  One of the names on our list was Amanda.  My husband wanted to use the middle name Lynn.  I said nope.  Are you kidding me?  Amanda Lynn...  yep, say it quickly.  You get it right?  A mandolin..  Although it was a girl, and we did name her Amanda we didn't use the middle name Lynn.

But as I look thru my data base I find myself going "what were they thinking?" when I look at these couple of names that I came across.

1. My first one was Frances C. Jones aka Fanny.  She was born in Hopkins County, Kentucky in 1835.  Well she was okay until on 25 OCT 1882 when she married Dr. Adolphus F. RASH.  She became Mrs. Fanny Rash.  Really?  Is there anything more I need to say?

2. I just couldn't pass this one up either.  I mean, really?  Prior/ Pryor L. Breeding born in 1843 in Claiborne County, Tennessee.  Being the eighth of 11 children of John Breeding and Betsy Stone maybe had something to do with it, but really Prior/Pryor?  Does make you wonder what were they thinking?

3. This one I just never understood. I mean, his father's name was John, I'm sure there were lots of other options out there but, no, they named their son, George P. George.  I mean really? 

4. Another that I never really understood, sort of made me shake my head, was America Indiana?  I thought maybe they liked Indiana or something.  Turns out to my knowledge they were never even in Indiana.  Kansas yes, but Indiana no.  Hmmm?

5. I have to wonder who came up with the Given name of Green?  I have 32 men in my data base named Green.  A few are farmers - okay maybe they have green thumbs?  One or two are Doctors? The rest are just varying occupations.
Some names I see and I just wonder and marvel at the creativity expressed in the names...  Names like Centennial Nix,  Columbus George Washington Nix, and then the ever popular Littlebury?  I've got quite a few of those with the spelling varying but Littlebury?  Where did that come from?


How about you?  Got any strange name combinations in your files?

Progress

I hate filing.  I avoid it at all costs.  When my daughter lived at home I've been known to pay her to do my filing for me.  But she's moved out now.  I don't think Mark likes filing any more than I do. I don't know any genealogist who enjoys filing.

The two trips we've been on this year both had fabulous research outcomes, except that the data entry isn't nearly as fun as finding the stuff.  Guess you could say I love the thrill of the hunt more than the data entry & filing that comes along with the hunt.

Maybe the first two paragraphs were just excuses for why I can't say, "Yep, everything is all entered, all neatly typed & sourced!"  I WISH!  Sometimes it just seems life gets in the way, you know, little things like laundry or hanging out with the grandsons. 

Enough with the excuses, the fact is, its not all typed & sourced.  But that's okay, last I saw the stuff doesn't just go away on its own.  In fact, I find it very patient.  Patiently sitting here in stacks, on my desk, waiting.  Yep, just waiting for me to get back into typing & filing.  I backed off on a trip to Ft Wayne to research, I've got enough to do already!  Or do I?

Since we returned I can say I've gotten about 40 obits typed in, along with several wills & estate files scanned and linked.  So in all fairness I have gotten some stuff done, right? 

With the heat here I'm thinking maybe I'll work on some stuff today, maybe get some more stuff typed in.  Who knows, since those stacks are so patient, maybe I'll just find something to research...

Happy Researching!
Karen