RootsChat.Com
General => The Common Room => Topic started by: Vasquez109 on Thursday 15 October 09 14:41 BST (UK)
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Looking at the 1901 census, I can see a child called Jack. Is Jack short or a nickname for something like James or is it a name in its own right?
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It's traditionally a nickname for John, though by the late 19th century would also have been given as a name in its own right.
Anna
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It used to be a nickname for John, but now it seems to be a name in its own right - perhaps it always was.
Lizzie
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Snap Anna - I didn't get the red warning that someone else was/had posted a reply. I think it's something to do with Trystan updating Roots.
Lizzie
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Thanks for that everyone!
Doesnt help with the confusion though! ???
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I have a James called Jack.
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The thing is Jack as a pet name for John comes from the medieval pet name for John - Jankin ie little John - whereas Jack is now often used for James because the French for James is Jaques - the latin is Jacobus - confusing isn't it. I have a Hamish and a James in the family.
Regards
Derby Girl
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Certainly is confusing!
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:) Thanks for the heads up on James, you peeps. I have a 'Jack' who's been doing my crust in for Years now. Get time, I'll run him on James and see what happens. I'd undoubtedly have tried John, but simply never thought of Jim.
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And the other thing about Jack is it is (or was) a sort of generic name for anyone you don't know - if my pa passed someone he would say something like "evening Jack" and I'd say - oh you know him - and he'd say - no. I always found it puzzling.
Regards
Derby Girl
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Please do that to me on the bus (elderly ones).
"Town please John!"
Cant speak to a driver like that! :D