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England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => England => Yorkshire (West Riding) => Topic started by: Mike Baldock on Thursday 11 June 09 11:40 BST (UK)

Title: Smithies surname
Post by: Mike Baldock on Thursday 11 June 09 11:40 BST (UK)

Hi

One of my ancestors was a Martha Smithies born c1807 in Slaithwaite, Yorkshire. She married John Sykes in St Mary's, Elland in 1830.

I cannot find a Martha Smithies birth / baprism for the right date, but there is a Martha Smith b Elland 1807.

I was wondering if any Smith / Smithies researchers of the area was aware if the two names were frequently muddled, or if there was a clear distinction?

Title: Re: Smithies surname
Post by: nijinski on Saturday 13 June 09 13:48 BST (UK)

Hello Mike

I have SMITHIE ancestors from Yorkshire dating approx to 1791.  I have not once yet come accross their surname being transcribed as Smith.  I have only once had the surname transcribed as SMITHEY.

My SMITHIE's originate from Rimington, Hellifield, Ripon, Barley and Settle in Yorkshire and in Fleetwood, Lancs.

Regards

Anita

Title: Re: Smithies surname
Post by: charlotteCH on Monday 15 June 09 04:25 BST (UK)

Hi, I have Smiths from Sowerby  1786 onwards...
The name cam off the headstone so it is spelled correctly- or should I say as they spelled it.   My crowd were nonconformists- Particular Baptists.

charlotte

Title: Re: Smithies surname
Post by: drewhowson on Saturday 11 July 09 19:45 BST (UK)

Hi,
There is a large family of Smithies living in the Barkisland area, they are/were farmers, they lived around upper hall farm Barkisland (now a housing estate!)
Hope this helps.
Andy

Title: Re: Smithies surname
Post by: charlotteCH on Sunday 12 July 09 03:45 BST (UK)

Mike, In answer to your original question: I'm sure the two names, Smith and Smithie , became confused in use and in transcribing.   On many registers the clerk would ask the personsssss involved their nam,e and write it down as he heard it.  Quite often the person giving the name would not be literate- or would not have the opportunity to check what had been written.

This is that case in a great many surnames,e specially when the spoken name can be written in various ways that approximate to the stated name.
If everything else fits,  my attitude is to investigate the match further and try to check against other data. Slow but a reasonable way to proceed.

charlotte

Title: Re: Smithies surname
Post by: Mike Baldock on Friday 17 July 09 21:22 BST (UK)

Many thanks everyone - I do not know why I didn't get notified of these replies - i usually get a prompt, but none of these have shown up!

I will return to my Smithies this week :)

Regards
Mike