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ArchivesGermanic name suffix not noted (archaic) ?
In doing genealogical research, I've come accross a practice that appears to have been popular in the 17th and 18th centuries (maybe earlier, who knows). I'll give an example and then pose my question.
One particular family (from which I appear to descend):
Johannes Spader (b ~ 1671) married a Sophia Koppel (born roughly the same time)
They had 8 children that I'm aware of, however only the first 4 are significant to my inquiry.
They were:
1) Johann Henricus Spader - b 2/16/1692
2) Johann Wilhelmus Spader - b 5/6/1695
3) Johann Daniel Spader - b 10/3/1697
4) Johann Wilhelm Spader - b 10/4/1700
After, ignoring the first name (saint name?) I'm wondering about the "-us" suffix on the actual name they used that differentiates Child 2 from Child 4. I do not have the death date of Wilhelmus and, therefore,do not know if this particular family group practiced the (now) odd custom of reusing a sibling's name if the first child died young. It seems, though, that this particular usage was meant to suggest a difference between two living children, with the not-so subtle distinction of the suffix.
Any thoughts?
One particular family (from which I appear to descend):
Johannes Spader (b ~ 1671) married a Sophia Koppel (born roughly the same time)
They had 8 children that I'm aware of, however only the first 4 are significant to my inquiry.
They were:
1) Johann Henricus Spader - b 2/16/1692
2) Johann Wilhelmus Spader - b 5/6/1695
3) Johann Daniel Spader - b 10/3/1697
4) Johann Wilhelm Spader - b 10/4/1700
After, ignoring the first name (saint name?) I'm wondering about the "-us" suffix on the actual name they used that differentiates Child 2 from Child 4. I do not have the death date of Wilhelmus and, therefore,do not know if this particular family group practiced the (now) odd custom of reusing a sibling's name if the first child died young. It seems, though, that this particular usage was meant to suggest a difference between two living children, with the not-so subtle distinction of the suffix.
Any thoughts?
1