Surname variations question
I have been searching through Catholic church records and civil registration records in the area just south of Cologne for a while now. I know surname spellings can vary and that phonics are important but I am encountering an issue with variations of a surname.
I am working on a family where the wife, born about 1803, is listed as Gertrud Holzem. However, in civil and church records she is sometimes recorded as Gertrud "Holz" or 'Holz i" and even "Holzheim". I just found her death record in 1896 where she died at age 93. She is listed there as Holzem. When I checked the christening records for her birth place, it looks like the name in the records was "Holzheim".
Is this range of name variation normal for the time period?
Thanks and stay warm this cold, snowy winter day!
Commenti
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"Holzem" and "Holzheim" can sound quite similar (depending on the local dialect). "Holz i" is not a regular name. Would need to see the original records for a more definitive answer.
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Thank you. I am sure it is the same person and you are right about sounding similar.
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