Can 2 children have the same christian name?

[PaulThommo]

Hi Heywood,
There are 3 James Thompsons born 1843/4 including the 'Jobling' one, but none of them on the site I looked at name the parents which doesn't help!!! Never come across a Jobling in the family, but I have only got one generation further at the moment on the Thompson/Jefferson families.
Paul

Do you have James in later censuses?

Durham records online show a baptism for James Jobling Thompson. You have to purchase details.
I see some records which continue the 'Jobling' name which leads to a marriage between James Thompson and Agnes Hodgson.
1871 5028/67/41

James is born abt 1844, South Shields

[heywood]

I should have checked further. 1851 James J and parents - Thomas and Mary A so he's not yours!

[Dundee]

I can understand a child being given the same Christian name if the first named one had passed away (although I find this rather morbid). Can it be that the family have taken in the 2 children I can't find baptism records for from another member of the family for whatever reason.

Yes the practice of naming children with the same name was not uncommon in the past when many children died shortly after birth or within the first few years of life.In some families it was important that a certain name was passed down in the family and in order that this occurred some named a subsequent child the same as one who had died or in other cases if they thought the child was frail.

I have come across a few where 2 children were named the same.. In particular Roderick McIver Murray 1905 - 1907 & Roderick McIver Murray 1908.

Yes but here we are talking about two children alive at the same time.

The written name of the younger child doesn't look the same as the older James to me.

Debra 

[John915]

Good afternoon,

It is not unknown, although not common, for all sons to have the same first name. Followed by different second names to distinguish them.

The most famous is actually fairly modern, George Foreman has 5 sons, all called George.

John915

[Jamjar]

1871 Census

Henry Edward Thompson age 24  no occupation listed
Jane Thompson Wife age 21
Jane E Thompson daughter age 1

Living at Queen St, South Shields

The 1891
   
Henry Thompson 43 Assurance Agent
Jane   Thompson   Wife   41
Jane E daughter Single 21 Confectioners Assistant
Thomas M   son 15 Joiners Apprentice born in Gateshead, Durham
Henretta daughter 13   Scholar born Gateshead
William D son 10 Scholar born Gateshead

Living at Bright Terrace, Gateshead

1901
Henry 53 Insurance Agent
Jane 55
Jane daughter 31 Manageress of barbers shop
Marian daughter 37 Assurance agent
Ellan daughter Assistant confectioner shop

Living Balmoral Ave, Gateshead


1911
Henry Edward 63 Insurance Agent
Jane 61
Jane Ellen daughter 41 single 
Maria daughter 37 single Insurance agent
William son 30 Insurance agent

Living at 255 Rectory Rd, Gateshead

[Jamjar]

Alfred - Son of Robert and Margery

1871
Alfred 22
Jane wife 22
Ann B 2
Alffed E 0

Living Campbell St, Westoe SS

1891
Alfred 42 Salt Merchant
Jane 42
Ann B daughter single 22
William 18 son single Coachman general servant
John son 16 General Labourer
Alfred 0

Living Eldon St, Westoe SS

1901
Alfred 52 Cartman
Jane 52
Margaret daughter 21 General domestic servant
Alfred 10

Living at Dixon St, SS

1911
Alfred 63 Salt dealer
Jane 63
Margaret 31 Assisting in business
Alfred Thompson 20 (Boarder) Married Cartman
Lily Thompson 20 ( Boarder) married

Living at 120 Laygate st, SS

[Jamjar]

I think this may be James the elder born 1830

1861
James 31 - Labourer
Ann wife 36
Elizabeth 9 born Morpeth
Robert 7 South Shields
Jane Ann 4 South Shields

Living at Westoe Village

1871
James 41
Ann 47
Elizabeth 19
Jane Ann 17

Living at Westoe Village

1881
James 51 Chemical factory labourer
Ann57     Chemical factory labourer
Elizabeth Fowler - grandaughter 7

Living at Wallis cottages SS

1891
James and Ann are lodgers with George Fowler (Widow) and children including the Elizabeth mentioned in 1881. James is a labourer.

Living at Westoe Village SS.

[Jamjar]

I think this may be your Maria:

Married James Thompson 7 May 1853 From FreeBDM and St Hilda's register

1861 Census
James Thompson 28 Husbandman - Healey, Durham
Maria Thompson wife 27 - South Shields    
George Robert Son 6 -  Westoe

Living at Westoe Village

[Jamjar]

A possible for Elizabeth: Marriage to John Moffitt Paul 9 August 1852 from FreeBDM and St Hilda's register.

1861 census

John Paul 33 Ballast trimmer - South Shields
Elizabeth Paul wife 28 - South Shields   
Maria Daughter 8 - South Shields
Mary Ann Daughter 6 - South Shields
Mary Jane Daughter 4 - South Shields
Elizabeth Daughter 0 - South Shields   

Living at 23 North St, Westoe

1871

As above except Mary Ann is now Margaret A and there is an additional Eliza 1. Still in North Street.

1881
John and Elizabeth
Eliza daughter 11
John 3
Margaret Ann McKie 25 daughter Charwoman - SS
Hannah McKie 6 Granddaughter - SS
Elizabeth McKie 4 Granddaughter - SS

Living at 2 Percy St, Westoe