Dobbin - Family History & Genealogy Message Board

Re: Samuel Patrick DOBBIN

maryaberriman1 — 2009-11-02 14:57:07Z

Samuel Patrick Dobbin was my husband's great uncle. His sister Harriet Kate was his grandmother. She married Henry William Hosmer in 1887, they had nine children. Her daughter hHarriet was my husband's mother. Harriet Kate died in 1949 aged 82 years.

Re: William Dobbin who immigrated before 1841 from Ireland to Ontario, Canada m. Mary Jeffers

shahaney — 2009-10-13 18:41:21Z

I just saw your message. Yes, that is the same family. I'd be very glad to share information. Let me know if you are still interested.

Re: Robert & Grace Agnew Dobbin; Glasgow > Ireland

ellentomlinson11 — 2009-09-06 03:07:41Z

Hi
I've just started researching my family tree and I belive Robert and Grace(Agnew) Dobbin were my great grandparents on my dad's side.

I have a copy of the Glasgow 1901 census that and Robert Dobbin wasresiding in the East end of Glasgow aged 51 with Grace and I have came to a brick wall on researching hiss origins but having discussed with my Uncle he believes he was born in Ireland in 1850 and that is where I was heading next.

I believe Robert and Grace's son Hugh was my grandfather and father to my Dad, Walter.

Please get in touch if you ahve anymore information.

Ellen Dobbin Tomlinson

Leonard Ephraim Dobbin

SusanRoose — 2009-09-03 14:21:21Z

I have a wedding invitation for Leonard & Lillian Alfhild Granath for 9 Apr 1938 in NYC if anyone would like it

Re: Unknown Dobbin married Mary Gilliland

MargaretAnthony10 — 2009-08-27 15:54:54Z

I have a book on the Dobbin family by Elizabeth Bullick.
My grandmother was a Dobbin. Her father was a brother to Joseph Dobbin who married Margaret Gilliland. He was born 1835. She was born 1847. I have five children listed. John Alexander Dobbin, David A. Dobbin, Annie Elizabeth Dobbin, Maude Mary Dobbin, Joseph Norman Dobbin. It looks like the right parents, different names for children. They lived in Plympton Township, Ontario. Hope this helps.
Marg.

Re: Dobbin Family History

LeslieRowlands88 — 2009-04-12 03:44:29Z

I have a Dobbin family living in Liverpool came from Killoshin Co Carlow My gm Mary born 1865 her father Nicholas m in Carlow to Margaret King moved to Liverpool a year after Marys birth as the second child was born if I remember correctly 1867,Catherine.
Nickolas Dobbin and family came Lisnafunshin &Ballysalla co Kilkenny in the Griffiths Valuation

Re: Dobbin Family History

LeslieRowlands88 — 2009-04-12 03:43:40Z

Last week I sent a message to Beverley giving information as when they came to America their passage and the 1851 census ,but do they reply.Samuel Dobbin& Susana Whitley & family
Never put this on Ancestors great info if you wont it go to the pilot in the IIG
their loss

Re: Dobbin Family History

snootyfox321 — 2009-04-11 10:25:27Z

My Bridget Dobbin must have come to Liverpool before 1810. All I know is that she was catholic, and most likely came from N. Ireland, Antrim or Armagh, as most Dobbins's lived there. I keep on tweaking the veil fully expecting that one of these days it will lift and her origins will be revealed.

Re: Samuel J. & Susanna Whitney Dobbin; Kilkenny Co. > NY

LeslieRowlands88 — 2009-04-05 12:57:08Z

Hi
I have the Dobbin name in my tree and they where born in county Kilkenny .
Nicholas Dobbin of a Nicholas etc from a small village near Castlecomer called Lisnafunshin you will find them in the Griffiths valueation
LES

Re: Dobbin - Murray marriage

snootyfox321 — 2009-03-30 15:56:04Z

's ok, I know now!

Dobbin - Murray marriage

snootyfox321 — 2009-03-18 13:36:55Z

Hi all you Dobbins's,

Ring any bells with anybody? Bridget Dobbin married Peter Murray, early 1800's - but where? Ireland, Scotland, or Liverpool?

Sue

Re: Dobbin Family History

snootyfox321 — 2009-02-07 14:22:53Z

Hello Michael, I appreciate your history of the Dobbins's, and hope to find where my lot fit in! All the info I have (it's on the board) is Bridget Dobbin born "Ireland" about 1786. She married Peter Murray and had child baptised in Liverpool in 1810. I only know of one Dobbin relative, possibly her brother, Peter Dobbin or Dauben who was in Liverpool 1810 to 1819 at least. How would I go about finding out where Peter & Bridget married, assuming it was in Ireland, unknown county? Any advice will be appreciated!

Re: Dobbin Family History

JohanneDsmail — 2008-09-12 19:05:15Z

hi my name is johanne dobbin i live in belfast co antrim belfast for soe time now i have been trying to get into tracing my fathers family history but it is kind of complicatated so if any one can relate to the following infor mation you can contact me at my e-mail address my grandfather was james dobbin and was married to mariah flynn went onto have five children two boys and three girls if this matches any info that you have please contact me @ johannedsmail@gmail.com would love to hear from you

Re: William Dobbin who immigrated before 1841 from Ireland to Ontario, Canada m. Mary Jeffers

elainegray800 — 2008-07-21 18:30:45Z

hi sharon,i hope your still doing this i think we might have a connection please get in contact with me.my grandmother was belford dobbin grandfather was arthur rusaw ,her father was leonard dobbin his wife was lettia martin and his father was william dobbin and his wife was mary jeffrey,any help you may have would be great as well as corrections
thanks elaine

Re: Dobbin in Fermanagh, Ireland

elainegray800 — 2008-07-21 18:32:18Z

sharon also my dobbins are from the peterborough area

Re: Dobbin in Fermanagh, Ireland

elainegray800 — 2008-07-19 20:53:53Z

hi glen just read your post i hope your still on here oh well i will try,
i am from the peterborugh area and my grandmothers name was belford dobbin,her father fredrick,fredricks father william and also so far her brother leonard,mildred ,thats it so far any connection
thanks elaine rusaw otoole gray

Re: Dobbin Family in Ireland, I'm stuck

LLindaDuffyy — 2008-06-16 18:56:08Z

HI,

My grandmothers god parents were Dobbin but I still havn't
worked out the connection. I have pictures of the graves and
marriage records from the parish if you want them

Drop me a mail @ llindaduffy@yahoo.com

Linda

Re: Dobbin Family in Ireland, I'm stuck

LLindaDuffyy — 2008-06-16 18:53:11Z

Hi,

My grandmothers godparents were Dobbins and I think they where cousins. I cant make the link but I have the Dobbins marriage info from the parish c 1850-1870 if you want it. I have photos of the Dobbin graves from Omeath if you dont have them

Drop me a mail @ llindaduffy@yahoo.com

Linda

Re: Dobbin Family History

billmoyano — 2008-04-21 02:06:35Z

Michael,

I read your extensive messages on Ancestry.com and have to say, I am a bit confused,but fascinated at what you had to say. I have direct relations to the Dobbin family here in New York St.,USA. My Great great grandfather came over here with his wife and kids,from Kilkenny co.,Ireland, in 1848/1850. My dads mom is a granddaughter of Samuel J. Dobbin and Susanna Whitney. We are of the Protestent religion. I cant seem to find any information as to exactly when they came over here to the states,except that the 1950 Census has them here in the states. My grandma's dad was born shortly after they came here,but there is no record of their immagration date or ship passenger list. A distant cousin here in the states, who is related to these Dobbins,said she couldnt find the Parish or other area in Ireland they came from except Kilkenny co. We are at a stumbling block, cause we would like to further our ancestry as far as possible. I know you probably are'nt in our Dobbin family, but it does'nt hurt to inquire....does it?
Would sure appreciate any info you could send me.

Respectfully,

Ruthie Avalos

Billmoyano is my boyfrind. You can directly contact me at ruthieaa@hotmail.com

Re: Dobbin Family History

davedobbin — 2008-02-20 17:43:50Z

No probs with being corrected.

All I can say is that at some stage I have been told the story I put forward (or the story as I understand it to be). If this is totally incorrect then I can only apologise and say that I am happy to be corrected/updated.

On checking the Dobbin's Inn Hotel website I now see that the 'Norman knight Reginald' built the 'old Dobbin family castle' in the 13th century which clearly means he couldn't have been with William.

I have also been told that, in general, any name beginning with 'Rob' or 'Dob' is likely to have come to the UK with the Normans. Naturally amongst the Dobsons, Robinsons and Dobbins, et al, the general line doesn't hold true and so it appears in this case.

Re: Dobbin Family History

michaeldobbin — 2008-02-20 06:14:06Z

Dear Dave,
I normally don't interfere with these posts unless I am able to shed some light on personal requests. However, I fell I must step in to prevent people reading your post from being led astray.
Firstly, Reginald D'Aubin did not fight with William the Conqueror in 1066. If you re-read my original post and check the dates you will see that Reginald went to "Britain" (a term I use very loosely) approx 130 years after the battle of Hastings.
Secondly, Reginald was not sent to Scotland. There is no evidence whatsoever that he ever set foot in Scotland at all. Reginald was "sent" to Carrickfergus around the year 1200, to quell a bunch of other Normans who had essentially become a little arrogant. Carrickfergus is located in County Antrim, and Reginald was only given the lands within the greater castle walls.
Thirdly, Reginald would not have needed to have been very fertile to account for the number of Dobbin's around Ireland. Remember- Reginald would've died no later than 1250AD, and the earliest written records in the archives list the name Dobbin appearing in Northern Ireland around the mid-late 1300's and in the South around 50 years later. Bearing in mind that these records give the names of only a few Dobbin's (not thousands!), then we are looking at a seperation in time of at least 100 years. 100 years back then would've meant at least 4 generations, so it would be quite feasable for there to be dozens of Dobbin's (Dobyn's back then) by this time. Even if Reginald had only had one son in Carrickfergus and one son in Waterford it is still a perfectly feasible hypothesis.
Please do not take offence at my corrections.....I have put an incredible amount of time into researching my family's roots. I am merely trying to prevent misrepresentations of my research from being further distorted.

Michael Dobbin.

Re: Dobbin Family History

davedobbin — 2008-02-17 17:34:02Z

In general, the Dobbin name came from the British Isles. One version is that the name was originally from a man (Reginald) from Auben in Jersey in the Channel Islands or, in French, "d'Auben". He fought with William the Conqueror (or William the Bastard, as he was also known) in the Norman Conquest of Britain and did well, so William sent him to Scotland to quell a bunch of rebellious Scots. He did so well there that he was given lands in County Antrim, in Ireland.
The name was very common round there - but I haven't found out whether Reginald was very fertile, or if the locals adopted the surname when surnames became the norm (before the Norman Conquest surnames were not used in Britain).
From what I can tell, most of the Dobbin family in the US come from Irish roots.
Slaves would tend to take the name of their masters and on emancipation either took on the name or were 'given' the name. But, then again, I haven't had to study slavery in the US, so it may be possible that a master just allocated a convenient surname.

Re: Dobbin Family History

loretjord7 — 2008-02-17 18:13:32Z

If I find out any thing I will let you know.

Re: Dobbin Family History

loretjord7 — 2008-02-17 17:02:32Z

I am new to this and I have read quit a few post on the surname Dobbins. I live in the USA. My family is from the south. So what party come over to the USA and started the Dobbins clan? I was told that we decended from slaves and that the Dobbins name was given to use by our masters. What can you tell me about that? All of this information does not even put you close to my research.

Margaret and Marcella Dobbin, b 1835, 1833, County Meath

ladybaltimore — 2008-02-15 19:24:00Z

Am looking for the birthplace/wedding of their parents, Patrick Dobbin and Mary Roe. Margaret born 1835, Marcella born 1833 were baptised in Athboy, County Meath, but no other records of parents there. Margaret married Owen Smith 1856 in Delvin, Couonty Westmeath and Marcella married John Simone Yundt 1866 in Iowa.

Re: Dobbin Family History

hoodgen1 — 2008-01-23 22:06:05Z

I am trying to find ancestors of John Dobbin born in Connagher, Antrim County, Ireland abt 1740 and died in New York, USA abt 1799. He was married to Mary Miller of Antrim County born abt 1750 and died in Ireland abt 1798.

Re: DOBBINS BIRTH AND MARRIAGE RECORDS IN COUNTY ANTRIM

Idea54 — 2007-11-24 13:15:20Z

To summarise part of Jim's last posting:
Charles Dobbin (weaver) & Martha have a number of children:
William 4 Oct 1853
Sarah 18 Sept 1863
James 8 Sept 1865
Margaret Jane 12 Aug 1868
Mary Elizabeth 9 June 1871

A William Dobbin & Catherine née McAnair had a daughter:
Margaret Teresa Dobbin 13 June 1873, Garrawort, Ardara, Donegal. Family myth is that this Margaret is my matrilinear great grand-mother, so I have a copy of her birth certificate. Her father could be the eldest son of Charles & Martha: the age and general location is okay with that. Either way, it gives Douglas a handle on Ardara. His Thomas [and father James] could be related to this Charles Dobbin.

I would be interested to hear from anybody with news of what happened to Margaret Teresa Dobbin (1873)

Re: Dobbins and similar names

RobertaEstes13 — 2007-11-24 19:32:40Z

To continue with clarification, if you believe you descend from this woman maternally, you may be able to verify that using DNA. If you take the mtdna test and can locate another individual who descends from her through only female descendants, the two of you should match. What this proves is that you descend from a common female. Unfortunately, it could also be a sister, aunt or cousin of Margaret Teresa Dobbin, but for most people in the circumstance you're describing, just knowing that you match another descendant (or if you don't match) is a very important first step and most often, enough proof for them.

Roberta

Re: Dobbins and similar names

Idea54 — 2007-11-24 16:27:05Z

To clarify: Y-DNA is inherited through the male line and mt-DNA is inherited through the female line. My particular interest, and the relevance to this posting, is that there is a family myth that my maternal line leads back to Margaret Teresa Dobbin born Ardara, Donegal in 1873.

I would encourage anybody with a direct male-only or female-only line to a Dobbin to contact Roberta.

C M Dobbin

verbenacalling — 2007-10-21 08:36:41Z

Looking for information on a lady C M Dobbin who signed the Ulster Covenant in 1912. She gave her address as North Parade, East Belfast. Hoping to find a connection to the Titterington Family especially Elizabeth (Lizzie) Titterington who signed after her.

Any information appreciated

BIRTH RECORDS FROM COUNTY ANTRIM

JONEEBGOOD — 2007-10-03 12:07:27Z

Does anyone recognize any of the names below??

. Charles Sr. DOBBIN - data from Randalstown Church of Ireland
sp: Elizabeth MAGEE (m.29 Mar 1834)
2. Sarah 2 DOBBIN (b. Abt 1834)
2. Charles DOBBIN (b Abt 1835-NORTHERN IRELAND Weaver)
sp: Martha FRENCH (m.13 May 1853)
3. William DOBBIN (b.4 Oct 1853-Aghaloughan,Antrim)
3. Matilda Jane ?? DOBBIN (b.10 Jul 1862 –unconfirmed family connection)
3. Sarah DOBBIN (b.18 Sep 1863-Clonbuy,Antrim)
3. Robert James DOBBIN (b.8 Sep 1865-Clonbuy,Antrim)
3. Margaret Jane DOBBIN (b.12 Aug 1867-Tamnaghmore,Antrim)
3. Mary Elizabeth DOBBIN (b.9 Jun 1871-Craighmore,Randalstown,Antrim)

1. Charles DOBBIN – data from family records
sp: Mary FORBES (b.1840/1842-IRELAND or SCOTLAND)
2. Matilda Jane DOBBINS (b.10 Jul 1862-County Antrim,IRELAND;d.2 Apr 1933-Kingston,NY)

1. Charles DOBBIN – data found at LDS website?
sp: Sarah Ann BRANKIN
2. Margaret DOBBIN (b.4 Oct 1846-Aghalee,Antrim)
2. Son DOBBIN (b.30 Mar 1864-Belfast,Ireland)
2. Daughter DOBBIN (b.15 Jan 1867-Belfast,Ireland

Re: BIRTH RECORDS FROM COUNTY ANTRIM

picturebox — 2007-10-05 10:55:22Z

My Grandmother was a Dobbin and I have reason to believe that her family came from Antrim.
I haven;t done any geneology for ages, but my tree is on Genes Reunited if you want to have a look.

Jackie

Re: DOBBINS BIRTH AND MARRIAGE RECORDS IN COUNTY ANTRIM

dougdob — 2007-10-01 03:12:24Z

Hi Jim Not sure if there is any connection or just coincidence. My Great Grand mother Jessie Mcinnes was born to John Mcinnes and Jane Mcintosh (Jane was the daughter of James Macintosh "legal clerk and Janet Forbes. My great grand father Thomas Dobbin married Jane McInnes. Thomas Dobbin on his marriage certificate gives his birth place as Ardra Donegal Ireland, born 1842. He maried Jessie McInnes in Australia in 1867. Thomas gives his parents as James Dobbin and Margaret nee Baskin. I have not been able to establish if Thomas had any siblings or how he came to Australia, Have subtantial amount on him im Australia. My full name is Douglas Forbes Dobbin, coincidence that i have both Forbes and Dobbin. Cheers Doug

DOBBINS BIRTH AND MARRIAGE RECORDS IN COUNTY ANTRIM

JONEEBGOOD — 2007-09-23 22:28:20Z

Mary, I have hired a researcher in Belfast to try to locate Charles Dobbin who married Mary Forbes. They lived in the Staffordstown, Randalstown area of County Antrim in 1862. Below are some of the events that he has located. Most do not seem to relate directly to me but someone on the list could probably use the information. There were a lot of children born to Charles and Martha Dobbin but they don’t seem to be who I am looking for. Hope this information helps someone.

"I have a certificate coming for the following marriage found in the records in the GRO."

John McKeown age 22 from Cranfield the son of Henry McKeown married to Sarah Dobbin aged 23 from Cranfield the daughter of Charles Dobbin.

Let me know if any of the following are of interest to anyone.

“In an examination of the records of the Randalstown Church of Ireland Church, held on microfilm at the PRO in Belfast, under their reference number, MIC/1/104, the following entries were recorded.”

Marriages.

Charles Dobbin of this parish and Elizabeth Magee of this parish, 29 March 1834.

James Lynn of this parish and Jane Dobbin of this parish, 13 March 1836.

Baptisms.

9 April 1852, 27 May 1852, William John, illegitimate son of John Aiken, labourer, Leitrim 7 Sarah Dobbin, Leitrim, spinster.

30 October 1853, 4 October 1853, William, son of Charles & Martha Dobbin, Aghaloughan, weaver.

31 July 1864, 18 September 1863, Sarah daughter of Charles and Martha Dobbin, Clonbuy, weaver

31 December 1865, 8 September 1865, James???? son of Charles and Martha Dobbin,Clonbuy, weaver

27 June 1868, 12 August 1868, Margaret Jane daughter of Charles and Martha Dobbin, Tamnaghmore, weaver

25 February 1872, 9 June 1871, Mary Elizabeth daughter of Charles and Martha Dobbin, Craighmore, Randalstown, weaver

Marriages

James Lynn of this parish, bachelor and Jane Dobbin of this parish, spinster, 13 March 1846

Sorry this is one big run on paragraph but I couldn't find out how to make a list.
JIM

Re: JOHN MCKEOWN, son of HENRY MCKEOWN married SARAH DOBBIN, 7 Feb 1857 in ANTRIM

comiskeym — 2007-09-23 13:41:40Z

My Dobbin in Randalstown family has "always" had a close connection to the McKeowns. I have not been able to figure out the origin of the relationship. It seems you may be on to something that would help both of us. Please contact me for more details. Mary

JOHN MCKEOWN, son of HENRY MCKEOWN married SARAH DOBBIN, 7 Feb 1857 in ANTRIM

JONEEBGOOD — 2007-09-15 22:27:13Z

In County Antrim on February 7, 1857, JOHN MCKEOWN age 22 from Cranfield, County Antrim, the son of HENRY MCKEOWN married SARAH DOBBIN aged 23 the daughter of CHARLES DOBBIN.

Does anyone recognize these names or the event? I am researching Charles Dobbin and Mary Forbes and their daughters, Sarah and Matilda Jane (b. 1862). The family was found in Cranfield, Staffordstown, Randalstown, Ballymena, Antrim and the surrounding area of County Antrim. Any help would be appreciated.

Dobbin family Newtownards County Down

LFiedler860 — 2007-08-07 07:28:37Z

Hello I am looking for any relatives or anyone researching HARRIET DOBBIN who married SAMUEL GUNNING 1808 -1885 in NEWTOWNARDS her father was RICHARD DOBBIN b 1780 Newtownards
there is family today in USA according to Ancestry World tree but no contact address I would very much like to make contact
SAMUEL GUNNING was my GGG Grandfather and I have all his family info

Re: Dobbin Family History

alistair56 — 2007-06-20 09:51:46Z

Hi, michael

Could you tell me anything about Thomas Dobbin J.P. of Armagh 1795-1871, married 1827 to Lucy Donnelly d1831, apart from what appears in Burkes Landed Gentry of Ireland?

The reason I ask is because Lucy is recorded as having died without children, in 1831. My GX3 grandmother Mary Dobbin was born 1831, and married 1846. Mary's wedding certificate states the father as Thomas Dobbin J.P. of Armagh. So far I have not obtained a birth certificate. An elderly family member ( now deceased ) claimed that Mary was an illigitamate daughter of Thomas'!

Did Lucy die in child labour?

Where did they live as they were only married 4 years before her death?

What Church did they attend?

Any other information?

you can contact me at alistair56@hotmail.com

Re: Dobbin Family History

alistair56 — 2007-06-15 18:35:19Z

Re: Dobbin Family History

gengenga — 2007-04-17 00:14:21Z

I'm a Dobbin and my aunt has us traced back to the 1500's - perhaps I'm of the Thomas-line, though I'm afraid I haven't the materials on hand to give any sort of concrete argument to that. I know that, for sure, one of us governed the Carrickfergus Castle and that another was a Sheriff, and yet another a Mayor - all of which I'm sure you know. My father's line is, as far as I know, Anglican which, I imagine, corresponds with the Catholic history and protestant branch. My grandparents were English-born, and I am a second generation Canadian. I'm also related fairly recently to the Gunns, and have some distant family in Scotland. I'll try to get our records from my Aunt so that I can post them here for you - and anyone else who would like to know more about our history. I'd also like to re-post with some details about my recent ancestors, most of whom had led some interesting lives. Funny enough, I have an older brother who shares your name.

Re: Dobbin Family History

altheamm — 2007-03-17 18:27:41Z

Having read Michael Dobbin's messages, this is just to say that I have some papers from George Miller Dobbin (1833-1919) my gt. gr'fa, son of Leonard (1789-1881) and Mary Miller (1803-1848) giving names and dates (Mary had 18 siblings ..) and other family information which I should be glad to delve into if any cousins are interested. Any info as to any of George M's sibs (Robert Alexander b. 1835, William b. 1837, Henry Brooke b. 1842 . . etc.) would be very gratefully received. AM

Re: Descendants of Andrew S. Dobbin, originally of New York

sundancer9 — 2007-01-03 02:06:23Z

I found in a search on ancestry.com that you have a Jungueira in your family. I am searching for a "General Jungueira" who died in 1974, I believe he was of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He was a relative of Agnes Jacobson Farris. Agnes Jacobson was born in 1898 in Brazil, the daughter of Earnest Jacobson and Olga Hamerli, Agnes married Cero Farris of Missouri.

Is there perhaps a link between to the Jungueira in your family and General Jungueira and/or Agnes Jacobson Farris?

Samuel Patrick DOBBIN

jillyp181 — 2006-12-12 13:38:02Z

Trying to trace the above's parents James and Mary Ann Dobbin. James born in Cork,Ireland 1817. His wife also born in Ireland in 1846. Came to London England and had five children.

Re: Henry Dobbin & Mary Jane Scofield

mikewiltonmanors — 2006-11-11 09:30:02Z

Beverly,

Thanks so much for your help! Was Henry the only on that headed to Cumberland Co., IL? His spouse MaryJane Scofield, is she from Jefferson Co too? I see lots of Scofield's in that area.

My email address is: Mikewiltonmanors@comcast.net

Where does you line fit in? Thanks again for the great lead.

Dobbins and similar names

2006-09-08 19:42:54Z

I just wanted to let you folks know that we have started a Dobkins family surname DNA project and we would like all Dobbins to feel welcome to test within our project. I have often found in census and such that Dobkins becomes Dobbins, so I expect we'll find that many share a common ancestor. I can't give you the link onlist due to rootsweb rules, I if you contact me offlist I'd be glad to.

Re: DOBYNS, Edward

davedobbin — 2006-09-07 22:26:38Z

In most cases before, say, the 1870s it isn't possible to say that a *family* spelt the name one way or another; all you can say is that the family name was *recorded* in a particular way.

In these moden days when literacy is expected, we know how we spell our version of our own particular name. In the past, our illiterate ancestors had their names recorded in accordance with the way the priest or official spelt the name they *thought* they had heard it said. Our ancestors, being unable to read, weren't able to say whether or not the name had been spelt correctly and, quite frankly, it didn't really matter which it was.

Only in modern days, with the need to complete forms and the need to specifically identify ourselves, can we now say 'our family spells it's name . . . .'

Re: DOBYNS, Edward

davedobbin — 2006-09-05 06:55:35Z

I was just confirming your statement!

I'm sorry if it seemed a bit curt, but I had just returned from a holiday to discover nearly 500 emails (mainly family history list emails) so I didn't have much time to dot all the Is and cross all the Ts in my reply to the half-dozen I actually sent a response to.

Re: DOBYNS, Edward

texsgirl — 2006-09-04 17:00:55Z

Well, 'scusssse me. I do believe I said it probably came from census takers recording the names as they pleased.

DOBYNS, Edward

texsgirl — 2006-09-03 19:41:33Z

Re: Henry Dobbin & Mary Jane Scofield

thomiv_1 — 2006-08-20 12:12:38Z