View Message

[Facts] Need help with strange names in my family tree!
Hi,
I was wondering if anyone could tell me whether the following names in my family are/were particular to a certain community because they seem unusual compared to other ancestors' names from the same region and time frame:
My GGGGrandmother was called Joseph Ann Clark(e) not Josephine-Joseph Ann born about 1833 in Nottingham to Joseph Clark(e) and Ann King. Her baptism entry does not seem to exist.
Her sister was called Salome Asenath Clark(e) born 1830, Nottingham.
Their father is described as a lawyer on her baptism. Their father dies between 1833-1841 and Ann and her daughters work as milliners living in Liverpool for many years before returning to Nottingham.
I believe Ann had two sisters called Susannah and Zinnia.I was just wondering if there was any reason why they had usual names, what they mean and in particular naming a child after her father and mother?
Any information would be gratefully received.
vote up1vote down

Replies

I would guess that Salome Asenath and Susannah might indicate this family were members of a Protestant group other than Church of England, which also might be a reason for why you can't find a baptismal record. Perhaps they belonged to a group which did not believe in infant baptism. It would be difficult to figure out why they named a daughter Joseph unless you can find something written about this by a family member. Perhaps she was born on her parents' anniversary or her father's birthday. I have a first cousin named Stuart Ann because she was born on her father Stuart's birthday.
vote up1vote down