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Hampshire & IOW Lookup Requests / Re: Gapin , Geappen, Gappen etc.
« on: Monday 28 March 16 00:52 BST (UK) »
Thanks to sue for information sent by message. I was unable to reply via roots message.
I have always assumed Gapin was changed to Geappen by grandchildren to distance themselves from convict ancestors. It is more likely that the pronunciation of Geappen was misheard and became Gapin. I have no record that John Gapin was literate or his wife. They could have been in contact with family in England for grandchildren to know the correct spelling of the name. John Gapin named his daughter Jane, which fits if it was his mothers name.
I have always assumed Gapin was changed to Geappen by grandchildren to distance themselves from convict ancestors. It is more likely that the pronunciation of Geappen was misheard and became Gapin. I have no record that John Gapin was literate or his wife. They could have been in contact with family in England for grandchildren to know the correct spelling of the name. John Gapin named his daughter Jane, which fits if it was his mothers name.