A Name Change Chronology

Several prior post have discussed the fact that the same name often gets spelled  in a variety of ways.  For the genealogist,  it is necessary to identify how these spellings can occur, and explore all alternative spellings when facing one of those brick walls.  This post shows that various spellings can also happen over time, presenting another dimension to all this brick wall climbing.  For my own tree climbing experience it was the surname "Taliaferro".

Beginning in 1651, the name was first spelled "Troliver".  It took some 60 years before the surname came to be spelled "Taliaferro".  The following table presents  how the name was spelled in the patent records of Virginia 1651 - 1711. [Taken from Cavaliers and Pioneers - Abstracts of Virginia Land Patents and Grants, by Nugent, Vol. I - III]

1651 - Troliver - CP(I) p. 224
1655 - Troliver - CP (I) p. 307
1661 - Tolliver - CP (I) p. 417
1666 - Taliafro - CP (I) p. 548
1666 - Taifer - CP (I) p. 548
1666 - Tallifro - CP (I) p. 548
1667 - Talifro - CP (II) p. 21
1667 - Talliferoe - CP (II) p. 32
1667 - Talliferoe - CP (II) p. 39
1669 - Toliferoe - CP (II) p. 70
1670 - Talliferoe - CP (II) p. 90
1671 - Talliafero - CP(II) p. 93
1671 - Taliaferro - CP (II) p. 149
1673 - Taliafer - CP (II) p. 123
1673 - Talliaferro - CP (II) p. 138
1685 - Taliaferoe - CP (II) p. 294
1691 - Taliaferoe - CP (II) p. 360
1693 - Taliaferro - CP (II) p. 380
1694 - Taliafero - CP (II) p. 397
1695 - Taliaferro - CP (II) p. 401
1705 - Taliaferro - CP (III) p. 93

Some 60 years in the records...what a deal.
1711 - Taliaferro - CP (III)  p. 124

Cultural Chronology

Times change, and our ancestors lived among these changes.  It is often helpful to try and grasp an understanding of the time period that our ancestors existed.  This understanding will frequently break down a brick wall facing us.  Having Celtic origins, their times were of interest.  The Romans were the first to place on the pages of history the story of these Celts that lived on that island they called "Brittania".

Over the years I have tried to put together a "cultural chronology" that has following my own family along the branches of the old "family tree".  Readings, references, and resources I have called it.  Starting a blog on January 17, 2013, the items found most helpful are presented.  This blog can be found at tjg3rs.blogspot.com .   Each items has a brief summary and what topic it connects to my Celtic origins.  For example,

This reference contains some of the story surrounding my own family tree. "Babington's Plot" it has come to be called.   Interesting story it is, and my family was involved. [Edward Jones was his name.]  Many of my brick walls came down as this story unfolded.

From the Celtic world, by Green:

 to...the life of Henry VII...

 I have place these sources in a cultural chronology that has been helpful over the past 54 years of my own tree climbing.  I suspect there are those genealogist out there who face their on cultural chronologies with this same "Celtic" back ground.  Come follow the sources:

                                                                tjg3rs.blogspot.com

Using Landmarks

Land surveys have been made since 1621 in the colony of Virginia.  Geographic landmarks were utilized to help locate and describe each survey. [patent]  Rivers, streams, creeks, swamps, points, bays, and many other items were often included.  Understanding the location and utilization of these geographic items can be the help needed to get around some of those brick walls.

A method used for this process is shown below.  Using an index in Volume I, Cavaliers and Pioneers, Abstracts of Virginia Land Patents and Grants 1623 - 66, by Nugent was used to outline the names of rivers, streams, creeks, swamps, etc., as they appear alphabetically in the index.

From left to right, it shows the names of rivers as they are indexed, with the page number that they are recorded falling below.  Dates were then placed along the left hand margin as they appear in the surveys.   This gives a rough chronology of the "rivers" as they become involved with a survey.  For example, the river named "Wiccocomocco" does not appear until 1635. [p.27]  The river "Nansamund" is involved in a survey before 1632. [p.17]  If an ancestor uses these rivers as landmarks for their patent, you can place these ancestors in an appropriate chronology.  Often, two to three years difference may break one of those brick walls.

Flow Charts

At times, the leaves on the branches seem to get extra thick.  How am I going to see through all the cluster of names, dates, marriages, wills, deeds, surveys, patents, etc...etc...until there seems little hope.  A flow chart may helpful in these times of troubles.   The following figure is an example of what I mean.

David Jones of Charles City Co., has been one of those times for me.  His life begins in the documents of time around 1635.  Many genealogist have associated his name with many different family groups.   The chart below shows how one can take the date (beginning record), geographic location, and given information to form a "flow chart" of these leaves that seem to be getting in the way.

The reference is Cavaliers and Pioneers, Vol. I, 1623 - 1666.  [CP I in upper right corner.]  The date 1635 is placed in the upper left, and the number of acres, followed by the name of "David Jones #1." [Using squares and circles.]   Any associated names, places, or information is added as each reference is examined. [ Page number given under CPI.]  Thus, a "flow chart" begins to appear with a variety of information that can be used to link other family groups into the family tree. 

For example, Tappahanna Marsh becomes Weyanoake, where David Jones names "David Jones his creek".  Any future document using any of these names would place them connected to this David Jones.  Others by the same name could then be separated among the clusters of names.  A pattern can them be recognized in which to place associated surnames and individuals of interest.  This flow chart is from 1635 to 1655 and identifies this David Jones to be active at least 20 years. 

Go ahead, get into the flow, the "flow chart" that is.

A Chronology Cluster

Putting together a family tree is one goal of the genealogy endeavor.  Brick walls often get in the way, and can be frustrating to the tree climber.  When trying to get around some brick walls, a chronology cluster may be helpful.  By this I mean placing your family tree into a chronology that outlines "dates" and "clusters" (groups) the family members into a single view.  The following figures show two methods.

The figure above is taken from my own research showing how one may go about designing such a cluster.  Starting with a blank sheet of graph paper (one of my favorite tools), the dates are placed along the outside margins, top to bottom upon the page.  You can use any sequence of dates, but I usually begin with "50 year" periods. [Assumes a generations is 20 - 40 years.]  Then I place the "known" family members  along the dates that "best fit" these folks. [Using squares and circles.]  Then I connect the family members along this "time line" (Chronology).  It helps to color code distinct family groups, so that a visual picture can be seen.  This also means that if you have an individual out of line, they should become evident.

The above figure takes a more "linear" approach with wider intervals for dates, and keeping the family members in straight lines.  This allows you to add more comments, facts, and information to the family tree as you are trying to put things together.  Again, color coding each family helps keep every group separate as the tree gets bigger and longer.

A chronology cluster I call it...shake some tree branches with it.

For a discussion of "squares" and "circles" see my blog -
              http://ge-ne-al-o-gy101.blogspot.com .