Christian Names in Local and Family History

by George Redmonds

Surnames have always provided key links in historical research. This groundbreaking new work shows that first names can also be highly significant for those tracing genealogies or studying communities. Standard works on first names have always concentrated on etymology. George Redmonds goes much he believes that every name has a precise origin and history of expansion, which can be regional or even local; up to c. 1700 it may even have centred on one family. This text fully explores the implications of this belief for local and family history, and challenges many published assumptions on the historical frequency of first names.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Reference

192 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2004

Reviews

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not a family historian, but I still found this interesting. I'd never thought that Christian names would be of any help in tracing family trees.

[RJC · Rating 1 out of 5]

Non fiction. Slow going, he pontificates on and on.

[Tanya · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Christian Names" analyzes the origins, development, and popularity of christian or "first" names through England's history. The analysis given was useful for family historians, but (despite the claim on the book jacket) I don't believe a non-specialist reader would find this monograph at all interesting. Still, I found it helpful in my own research, so I give it a good solid 3 stars.

[Mhd]

The sample is great. I've not seen much importance or substance in "Christian" names, but I do now! I look forward to reading the whole book.