Chasing the Past

Our Ancestors (Morris, Smith, Jones, Robertson)

What’s in a name?

There are a few folks in my ancestry for which I’m completely unsure of their names. Perhaps the reason I’m unsure of names is proof you can’t believe what your family has passed down.

James Smith was my maternal 5th great grandfather. I’m certain of his first and last names (well, I’m sure it could have been some variation of Smith at some point). It’s his middle name that I’m not sure of. My grandfather and great-grandfather always called him James Cudly but on documents where the middle name is addressed, it’s usually some form of Cuddy.

The question is, who got it right? The people recording 200 years ago, or my family members from the last 50. Of course, anything recorded nearer tot he time should be more accurate/convincing evidence. But if James C Smith couldn’t read or write, did he know what his name was being recorded as? We don’t know if anyone ever asked him how to spell his middle name. In the end, I’ll make a better determination when I deep dive into finding out more about this man, but I’m leaning towards Cuddy and that being a clue as to who his mother was.

Charlie Ardell “Braid” Morris is my paternal great grandfather. On most sources, he’s listed as Charlie or Charley. On a few, he’s listed as Charles. Is this because his parents never thought to say, yes his name is Charles? Or is this because the people writing the document thought, ‘Charlie is always slang for Charles. I’m going to record his proper name.’?

Since I’m currently working on this family, I’d like to talk about the evidence. What supports my grandfather’s name being Charlie/Charley vs Charles?

  • Census data
    • 1910 — Charlie. The rest of the family is listed with full first name and middle initial. Nicknames are not used. For example, Susannah was used instead of Caroline for his mother.
    • 1920 — Charlie. Wife is listed as Margaret instead of Annie which is the name she went by.
    • 1930 — Charlie. Wife is listed by Annie, so these could have been the names thy were known as and not ‘legal names’.
    • 1950 — Charlie. Wife is listed as Annie, so again, names could be what they were known as.
  • WWI Draft registration. Name listed as Charley
  • 1937 Marriage of Addie Bea in Newspaper as “daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charlie Morris.”
  • Will of his father, John T “Sutt” Morris.
  • Deed of Stokes Cranford children to aunt Della Cranford Hall.
  • Annie Cranford Morris death certificate.
  • Charlie Morris death certificate.
  • Tombstone.
  • Social Security Death Index.

What about Charles?

  • 1940 Census lists him as Charles AB and Anna. Neither name is quite ‘correct’!
  • Marriage license. Charles and Annie
  • Birth of daughter Addie Bea. Names listed as Charles.

I have, so far, not found a birth certificate or listing in Social Security Claims. I think the social security index goes by the death certificate.

In my opinion, the evidence certainly leans towards his name being Charlie. In the cases where we do find Charles, it seems to be decided by the person recording the information. On his marriage license, he just put his mark. According to the 1900 Census, he cannot read or write. According to the 1910 Census, both Annie and Charlie are able to read and write. Did this make a difference in 1904 in how their marriage was recorded? It does not explain the birth of Addie Bea.

The only signature I have found so far is on his World War I draft registration card on September 12, 1918.

In the end, I believe his name was Charlie. Will I, or anyone, every know for sure? Not likely. Unless a family bible turns up. I can only hope for such a treasure!

Sources:

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One response to “What’s in a name?”

  1. A Favorite Photo – Chasing the Past Avatar
    A Favorite Photo – Chasing the Past

    […] was Braid. I’m not sure of how he came to be called that. I’ve talked a bit about his name before but not about the […]

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