Using middle names as first names?

[Nick29]

The nickname Polly is often used instead of Elizabeth. 

[msr]

Never heard that one Nick.   My mum was Elizabeth, her family called her Betty.

Aunty Mary was Polly.

I'll check with the others who are trying to solve the puzzle, but the Elizabeths in hubbies family were either full name or Bett.

[Nick29]

I didn't know it either, until someone here mentioned it, and the advice arrived just at the right moment for me.  About a year ago I found some cousins on my father's side of the family that I'd never met before, and they kindly copied some photos which they emailed me with descriptions of who they were.  One or two of the photos were of someone that the family always referred to as "Polly", but no-one seemed to know exactly who she was.  When I looked at the photos more carefully, a couple of them had the names and addresses of the photographers at the bottom of the print.  On one of them was the address of Newton Abbott, the birthplace of my great-aunt Eliza's husband !  Because her husband only lived for 5 years after their marriage, no-one in the family seemed to know the connection with Newton Abbot.   I was pleased to know that it wasn't all one-way, and that I was able to give them something back 

P.S.  Sometimes nicknames come about because of siblings.   My great-uncle was always known as 'Jack', because his younger sister couldn't say George when they were young.  He was known as Jack until the day he died.

[Mark1973]

I've had plenty in my tree using their middle names, which has always made searching fun

Most of them used their middle names if someone in the household, their Father or Mother had the same name. My dad has always been known as Liam as his father was William too.

[coombs]

I have a middle name but have always used my first name. If I wanted to I could start being known by my middle name but I dont think I will.

[Redroger]

Our son is the other way round, Andrew Peter, called Peter in the family, Andrew outside.

[danuslave]

I don't even have a middle name - how sad is that?

Linda

[Nick29]

My wife hasn't either.  She's the only one in the family to have no middle name.

[HeatherLynne]

Aww!  You could always ask for suggestions for your middle name    Might be prudent to let us know your surname initial though so that you don't end up as L.E.G.,  L.A.P., L.U.G. or somesuch!

I'm liking Linda Hortense, whaddya think?

Heather (no prizes for guessing my middle name!)