You think today’s baby names are funny? And that our ancestors didn’t use “funny” names? Think again! Doing research in Pulaski County, Indiana, and in some Virginia counties, I was browsing through some of those county records when these names jumped out at me:
Jaariorigim SMITH m. 2 Jul 1810 to Mary DICKENSON in Virginia
Maindort DOODES, will 13 Dec 1677, had a son, Minor DOODES in Middlesex Co, Virginia
Haute WYATT, minister at Jamestown, Colonial Virginia
Mocin SMITH m. 24 Aug 1788 to Andrew FAGGOTT in Fauquier Co, Virginia
Alwilda PUGH, Thelka GROSS, Sofvonia WESLEY, Chestina COONFARE, Alzina NELSON, Mandane BENNETT, Princess Victoria NESS and Enata SPECKLE all lie resting in Winamac Cemetery in Pulaski County.
Usomen BULL m. 11 Feb 1781 to John SMITH in Berkeley Co, Virginia
German STOKES m. 1840 to Jabez SMITH in Henry Co, Virginia
That first name, Jaariorigim, really puzzled me. I Googled it with no results. It is not found in the Bible. Any ideas where that most unusual name (and it was a FIRST name, not a surname, remember) originated? If you have a thought about this……. or want to share your encounters with unusual names……. please share them with me to then share with you all.
Donna, aka Mother Hen, until next time