[help] O mighty blogospheric brain, re 19th c. German naming conventions
Another appeal to the mighty blogospheric brain, to see if anyone can shed some light on 19th century German naming conventions among sibling groups. This one from my Dad, who avidly pursues genealogy.
German naming system 19th Century
One ancestor and three of his brothers all immigrated to the US. They have all been identified in German baptismal records for the early 19th century. However, a fifth brother, of whom we have never heard, also turned up.
Even stranger, the ancestor’s given name was Georg Lorenz. However, his baptismal record says his name is Lorenz. The fifth brother was born and baptized after Lorenz and given the name Georg Michael. Is there any logical explanation for the older brother to have taken his younger brother’s first name?
Originally published at jlake.com. You can comment here or there.