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ArchivesRe: Is Margaret a variation of Martha?
in reply to a message by Mary
I think what you need to do, Mary , is go out and buy yourself a good name dictionary. You can find them in the baby and child-care sections of most book stores.
*Name Your Baby* by Lareina Rule would probably be a good one for you, as it lists foreign variations of many familiar names.
The book will show you that the names "Martha " and "Margaret " are two very different names -- sprung from different languages and possessing different meanings. It'll show you the same in regard to the names "Bridget " and "Margaret ", too.
"Marta ", on the other hand, can be a foreign variation of either "Martha " or "Margaret " -- just as "Cindy " can be a nickname for either "Cynthia " or "Cinderella " (two distinctly different names, as well).
If you are serious about this family research that you say you're doing, then do a little additional research of your own into names and name meanings. I strongly recommend that you buy a name dictionary of your own and use it.
-- Nanaea
*Name Your Baby* by Lareina Rule would probably be a good one for you, as it lists foreign variations of many familiar names.
The book will show you that the names "Martha " and "Margaret " are two very different names -- sprung from different languages and possessing different meanings. It'll show you the same in regard to the names "Bridget " and "Margaret ", too.
"Marta ", on the other hand, can be a foreign variation of either "Martha " or "Margaret " -- just as "Cindy " can be a nickname for either "Cynthia " or "Cinderella " (two distinctly different names, as well).
If you are serious about this family research that you say you're doing, then do a little additional research of your own into names and name meanings. I strongly recommend that you buy a name dictionary of your own and use it.
-- Nanaea
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Replies
Thank you Nanaea . I shall certainly follow your advice and purchase the recommended book. However, I think I should have used the term "nickname" instead of "variation". You see everyone in this family used nicknames - Nellie for Ellen ; Agnes for Johanna (these two have been confirmed) and it seems Martha , who recorded her name as such on official documents could have used the name Margaret when corresponding. So I dare say, what I should have asked was do you think Margaret could be a nickname for Martha . I am grabbing at straws trying to determine if both of these names could apply to the same woman. I guess though, that anyone could use any name as a nickname. Maybe I shall never get to solve this riddle. Thank you anyway for your time and interest.
Mary
Mary
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Good luck to you, Mary! I know how frustrating hunting dead ancestors can be -- especially when those ancestors used nicknames instead of their given names.
I see that you're posting from Australia, so there's not much advice I can give you, as I'm mainly familiar with U.S. Federal Census records research and stuff like that. I hope you find the pieces to your puzzle.
-- Nanaea
I see that you're posting from Australia, so there's not much advice I can give you, as I'm mainly familiar with U.S. Federal Census records research and stuff like that. I hope you find the pieces to your puzzle.
-- Nanaea
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Thank you Nanaea. Yes, I'm from Brisbane, Australia. My family research has been so rewarding. Have been able to go right back to the 1700s on one side and have discovered a few convicts who were sent out to Australia from Ireland. At least, they must have had a bit a "spunk". Am off to the State Library - Archives tomorrow - to continue my search re my mystery "Margaret". Thank you for all your help. Love your website! Have fun - Mary
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Did you determine if Martha was indeed Margaret? In my research, you cant go by todays approved nicknames as they did things differently 100, 200, or however many years ago. I found your thread because I have a woman by the name of Martha, at least in her later years, but I believe went by Margaret as a child. Nicknames dont even have to be based off the given name as mine is Robert b ut everyone calls me Darby. So you never know
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It's true. People often changed names back and forth. I'm having a similar issue. My great-great-grandmother went by the name Addie in later years, but was named Martha Adaline formally and used at least in the censuses as Martha when she was young. I found out that her grandmother is named Martha also, but her aunts are named Margaret and Mary (also my great grandmother's sisters name). So, Margaret is a family name. Later, I found some school records with the name Maggie for a girl the same age as her AND her same-age aunts are both there at the same time and her sister went there later, I think. So I'm thinking it's her. But Martha as Maggie? Seems a stretch, but I can't find anyone else in their area that fits having gone to that specific school. Frustrating! I just wish there was some proof -- but I'd go for someone confirming using Maggie as a nickname for Martha, even though I know it seems a stretch. But you're right, you never know!
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Hunt well! :)
Btw, the website belongs to Mike C. -- I'm just one of the "regulars" here who tend to develop a proprietary interest in the place. :)
I wish you lots of luck, Mary! Hope you find what you're looking for.
-- Nanaea
Btw, the website belongs to Mike C. -- I'm just one of the "regulars" here who tend to develop a proprietary interest in the place. :)
I wish you lots of luck, Mary! Hope you find what you're looking for.
-- Nanaea
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