> But be aware that these were merely trends, not absolutes.  The
> onomastic predictability for Anglicans, for example, is only about
> 60-70% -- not good enough, in my book, to form any conclusions.

        In my own experience, I have not found any sort of naming pattern
except for the Dutch in NY/NJ.  Even that system is not as predictable
as the outline present would seem to imply.
        I have found no "system" in the English settlers, just trends.  The
English are more likely to use the names of their own brothers and
sisters first.  Then they will use their own names and finally their
parents' names, if the family is large enough.  The English also seemed
to have more of a tendency to use "celebrity" names...kings, governors,
local doctors, etc.
        Having said that, please don't get the idea that I'm saying that names
aren't a clue.  I think that they can be.  But unlike the Dutch, names
are not as useful in predicting what the names of the child's
grandparents might be.

Renee L. Dauven

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