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Family History Beginners Board / An O'Brien by any other name?
« on: Tuesday 15 November 22 17:36 GMT (UK) »
Sometime between the US census of 1880 and that of 1900 one of my O'Brien ancestors changed the spelling of his name to O'Bryan. It was an intentional change since that is how it is shown on his gravestone as well. His brothers retained the original spelling. Is there some change in Irish social status associated with the change to O'Bryan? It does not seem to be an effort to distance himself from the brothers as they were included in his will.