Hayes Lowe
names
Fri Sep 15 15:00:02 2000


The letters L, J, F, and I have often been confused by transcribers of the old style handwriting. I think that you are correct in your assumptions.

As to James J. vs. John James, this is something that I have seen dozens of times. My theory is that the name was given in response to this statement: "LAST NAME FIRST, FIRST NAME LAST." Think about it. What that would say to many people is to give first, your last name. Then second, your middle name. Then last, your first name. It is not our convention of doing this today (today the statement commonly means to give last name, first name, then middle), but even today this statement could be confusing!