Genealogy Chat

I've just found more family members on a Canadian census. I've not figured out the percentage, but a HUGE number of my ancestors, both male and female, used their middle names. Have others found this to be true? I think it's rather strange that so many people did not use their first names.

Hi Lisa,I've been searching for my grandfather on the Canadian census but with no luck so far. Never thought to try with his middle name,I will give it a go. Thanks Sue

Sue: Do you know about http://automatedgenealogy(.)com/census/NationalSummary.jsp (1901 Census - partially transcribed) Good luck!

My grandmother was one of six, all of whom used their middle names. Thankfully, my other branch was very unimaginative and only gave each child one name.

My husband's father was Arthur Charles, we only knew him as Charles until he died. His grandmother Ethel was born Harriet Ethel, his g grandfather Arthur was born Ebenezer Arthur. That's not counting my family or the rest of his. Makes life interesting though. Irene

Thank you Sally, Kathryn and Irene. I can understand calling a son by his middle name when he has the same first name as his father, but to have so many other people use their middle names I thought was strange. Thank you for letting me know about your families! By the way, on my dad's side, most of the first-born children have their parents' names -- really makes it fun when you have three generations of the same name!

I have eight generations in a row where the females were called Elizabeth. I have one man whose mother daughter and three wives were called Mary and another whose wives were both called Louisa although one was a middle name. Must have been a confusing life! KIM

Kim: And I thought MY family was hard to trace! :~)

I am one of five b1960 and I am the only one that they have used my first name - all others are called by their second names - seems silly when they chose the order and then use the names the other way round! Nowt so queer as folk!!