Genealogy Chat

Please do any of the Scottish members know if William was sometimes called Lewis and vice versa? There is a rellie who I have found is sometimes refered to Lewis and sometimes William. Thank you Pat

Hi Patricia, I have never heard Lewis (my own son's name) for William. Gaelic for William is Uilleam. I've heard Liam for William.(Irish) Is it someone from the Highlands of Scotland that you are researching? Sometimes, in the Highlands people are known by characteristics, or who's son they are or even perhaps where they were from. Perhaps this William was from Lewis and was therefore known by that name?? Best wishes Christine

Patricia I think Lewis is probably the anglicised Louis ? Only William derivative I know of is 'Wullie' (broad Scots for Willy). Think Lewis and William are differnt names. Ian

I have several ancestors (Canadian and English) who used their middle names. One actually was known by both his first and middle names. My nephew is Joseph Brian, but our family calls him Brian. When he finished school, he wanted to be known as Joe. So, his new friends call him Joe and the family still calls him Bri. Did Scottish families use middle names (sorry, don't know anything about their naming patterns). Good luck with your search.

Lisa, Christine and Ian Thank you for your valuable input. I have two males name Lewis. One is Lewis Leys the other Lewis Littlejohn both of course problem people whay else. Both from Aberdeenshire. Lewis Leys married in 1825 had a child then dissappeared back to Mars I can find a William born around the same time. The same applies to Lewis Littlejohn found a birth as William the same sort of birth span. I thought I would ask before proceeding just in case Lewis was also called William. So you have answered one querie which is very helpful. After all that blethering I shall now look for the site Genealogy for Mars, Pluto or elsewhere LOL Thank you Pat