Back to home page

Back to Page One

What's in a Name? (Continued)

Dutch First Names

In the Somerset County Historical Quarterly (New Jersey) VI, pp. 47-48 a list of Dutch names and their English equivalents is given. It was originally prepared by William Nelson of Paterson, NJ, Editor of the Proceedings of the New Jersey Historical Society. We have added a few entries.


Dutch English Equivalent Dutch English Equivalent
Aaghje Agatha Aaron Joost Justus,George
Aart

Arthur

Joris, Jurian, Jurge George
Adela Adelaide Josyntje, Josina Justina
Adrianntje Adriana Karel Charles
Aefje Eve Kasper Jasper
Aert Arthur Katryne, Kaatje, Katrynje Catherine
Agnietje Agnes Kersten, Cirstiaan Christian
Aaltje Adeline, Adelia, Aletta Klaartje Clara
Andries Andrew Klass Nicholas
Anneken, Annetje Ann Klassje/Klasyne Nicola
Arie Adrian Krelis, Kees, Kors Cornelius
Arnoult Arnold dutch Equivalent of James? James
Balt Bathazar Kryn Quirine
Barber Barbara Laurens, Louris Lawrence
Barent Bernard Leendert Leonard
Bartel Batholomew Lieven, Liewe Leo
Bartje Bertha Leentje, Lena Helena, Leonora
Bastiaan Sebastian Lenoor Elleanor
Bandewyn Baldwin Letje Letitia
Beletje Lodewyk, Louis Ludovieus, Lewis
Bella Isabella Lotje Charlotte
Bell Arabella Lukas, Luytje Luke
Betje Betty Lysbet, Lysje Elizabeth
Carels, Carles Carl, Charles Matthys Matthias
Catrina, Catryntie Catherine Mneewes Batholomew
Christoffel Christiana Machtelde Matthias
Daam Adam Meewes Bartholomew
Denys Dionysius, Dennis Machtelde Matilda
Diederik Theodore, Derrick Margrietje Margaret
Dirk Richard Martyntje Martina
Dirkje Dorothy Maria, Mariken, Marritje, Maytje, Maartje, Maaike Mary
Diewertje Deborah Natje, Annaatje Anna
Dries Andrew Neeltke Cornelia, Nelly
Elsje Alice Nieske Agnes
Emmetje Emma Obadja Obadiah
Engletje Angelica, Angeline Paulus, Pauwel Paul
Epje Egbert Paulyntje Paulina
Ernst Ernest Phlip Philip
Evert Everard Roelof Ralph
Frans Francis Roosje Rose
Filips, Flip Philip Rutgert Roger
Floris Florence Rykaard Rucgard
Floortje Flora Saal Solomon
Gillis, Jellis Giles Saartje Sarah
Giel Michael Sander Alexander
Govert Godfrey, Geoffrey Seytie Cynthia
Gysbert, Guisbert Gilbert Staats Eustace
Geertruyd, Geesje, Geertje, Giertje Gertrude Stoffel Christopher
Grietje Margaret Styntje Christiana
Guilliam William Tanneken Ann
Hans John Teewes Matthew
Hansje Johanna Teunis Anthony
Hendrik Henry Teuntje Eunice
Hillegonda Huldah Tibout Theobald
Hugen Hugh Toontje Antonia
Hendrickje Henrietta Truytje Gertude
Heyltje Hail Tryntje Catherine
Jakobus James Tymen Timothy
Jakomina(Jaapje) Jakomyntie Jacoba Tys Matthias
Jannetje, Janne Jane Wouter Walter
Jelle Gellius Wyntie Lavinia
Jeltje Gellia Ydtje Ida
Janneken Joan, Jane Zanneke Susanna
Johannes, Jan John  

Using the Index of a book

Reading Dates

The following phrase, died in the nth year of his/her age” is frequently misunderstood. If the newspaper obituary says, for instance, that John Smith died in the 78th year of his age, it means that he had not yet turned 78. In other words he was age 77.

Julian vs. Gregorian

The transition from the Julian calendar to the Gregorian system creates many problems. The switch took place in Britain and her colonies in 1752. During the period of the Julian Calendar, the Christian church and the countries within its sphere of influence used an ecclesiastical calendar which had New Year’s Day falling on March 25. This was the day of the Feast of the Annunciation commonly called Lady Day which commemorates the visit of the Angel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary. Note that this date is exactly nine months before Christmas. (Note that the pagan names correspond to the numerical month, e.g., November having the latin root for nine, etc.)

The problem with the transition comes to light when researchers run into what appears to be a mistake such as a person’s will dated 5 April 1723 and proved 3 March 1723. Fortunately most scribes would note the latter date as 3 March 1723/4. Also look for the use of number prefixes for months. For example: 9 ber 1720 would be November 1720. Xber would indicate December.

Quaker Dates

The Quakers refused to use the pagan names for months and instead used numbers, such as 1st day., 2nd month, 1724 which would mean 1 April 1724.

Our Work in Progress

Delaware

Kent County Accounts have been completed by Mary Marshall Brewer. It consists of seven volumes. The most recent volume is McBride to Savin and was listed in the Fall 2004 catalog.

Sussex County Wills 1813 - 1827 is now in print. This was abstracted by one of our newest authors, K. Louise Planer.

A new volume New Castle County Delaware Wills came into print recently, the work of Mary Marshall Brewer, one of our most prolific authors. It covers the period, 1800-1813 and contains a great amount of detail.

The land records for Kent County, Delaware, will now extend to 1789. Most recent are the following volumes:
1774-1782 (available Jan 2005)
1782-1785 (available Jan 2005)
1785-1789 (in print)
With the recent reprinting of Volume 10 (1772-1775) we will now have the entire set of 13 volumes available, covering the period, 1680 to 1789.

Coming Soon

Joe Sprowl is nearing completion of Church Records of New Castle County, 1800-1850.

Colonial Families of Delaware, Volume 7, which will cover primarily Kent County is in the works. The following families will be covered: Adams, Ellett, Killen, Lackey, Levick, Luff, Primrose, Purden, Raymond, Reddick, Rogers, Shaw and several others. New authors Ralph Beverly and Kay Beverly, are about halfway the project.

Maryland

We expect Colonial Families of the Eastern Shore of Maryland, volume 20 and 21 to be in print by Spring, 2005. Volume 20 authors Skinner and Wright will focus on Old Somerset (the counties of Somerset, Wicomico and Worcester) while volume 21 by Henry Peden will focus on Kent and Talbot Counties.

Help!

We're looking for someone to abstract the 18th Century Minutes of Nottingham (Quaker) Monthly Meeting. Interested? Have access to a microfilm reader? Contact Ed Wright here.

New Jersey

Volume 2 of Colonial Families of New Jersey will encompass Middlesex, Monmouth and Somerset Counties. Look for it in the Spring Catalog.

Work will soon begin on the early land records of East Jersey.

Pennsylvania

The set of four volumes of land records for York County is now in print. Response to these records has been outstanding.

Colonial Families of Bucks County is in progress. We anticipate availability in Summer of 2005.

Dr. Robert L. Hess is in the process of finishing volume two of 18th Century Records of the German Lutheran Church of Philadelphia (St. Michael[s and Zion). Volume one consists of Baptisms, 1745-1769 and came onto the scene this Fall. This is a major contribution to those researching persons of German origin in the Philadelphia area and is the first time these records have been published.

Virginia

Two New Books in the Tidewater area! Elise Jourdan expects to put the finishing touches on her first volume on the Colonial Families of Henrico County very soon - while newcomer, Holly Wright, brings her skills to bear on her first volume of Colonial Families in the Westmoreland County area.

Wills, deeds, etc. of York County - This is a major (and quite ambitious) project planned to bring publication of abstracts of the basic records up to the Revolutionary War.

That's all for now.
-Ed

Back to Page One

All rights reserved. No portion of this material may be used without the author's permission. Copyright 2004.

Tree Talk Column 1, Jun 2003.

Tree Talk Column 2, Nov 2003.

Tree Talk Column 3, Apr 2004.

Back to home page