COMMON NAME PRACTICE

The Fall 1996 issue of The Upper Cumberland Researcher contained the following not from The Leftwich Heritage on common naming practices:

The 1st son was usually named after the father's father

The 2nd son was usually named after the mother's father

The 3rd son was usually named after the father

The 4th son was usually named after the father's eldest brother

The 5th son was usually named after the mother's eldest brother (or the father's 2nd oldest brother)

The 1st daughter was usually named after the mother's mother

The 2nd daughter was usually named after the father's mother

The 3rd daughter was usually name after the mother

The 4th daughter was usually named after the mother's eldest sister

The 5th daughter was usually named after the father's eldest sister (or the mother's 2nd oldest sister)

This pattern was not always followed exactly, but most would usually keep the pattern for the first three children. If there was a name that was found in every generation (example: John, William, Edward, Charles, etc), then some where in their children you will surely find these names. If one is stuck on finding parents for an ancestor, try this pattern to give one a suggestion as to a name to search for.

The Upper Cumberland Researcher is published by The Upper Cumberland Genealogical Society, Cookeville, TN. Published in March 1998 issue of The Legacy, Vol. 8, No. 1.