babs
New Member
Posts: 4
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Post by babs on Jul 22, 2015 20:34:50 GMT 1
My Great-Grandmother was Elizabeth Reese born 3 Apr 1857 North Merthyr Tydfit. Her Parents were David Reese and Gwenllian Davis. Elizabeth married David Williams of Pontypool, South Wales and they moved to the United States. Their children were Anna, William, John, Nellie Elinor, Thomas, Dora Bell, David, Reese and Ben Williams (my Grandfather). I am curious if they changed their name from Rees to Reese at some point because looking through previous posts, I do not see the name Reese. I am researching Family History and would appreciate any information and if there may be Family still living in Merthyr Tydfil. Thank You.
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Post by mikemerthyr on Jul 30, 2015 11:37:50 GMT 1
There are three common ways of spelling that surname( REES / REESE / REECE ).If your ancestor's were not able to read and write they would have not known which was the way their name was supposed to be spelt or written. When they learnt to read and write they likely just chose one of the versions or chose to spell it the way the teacher who taught the first one to learn,showed them how to write their name's. They may also just have decided to change the spelling for the fun of it who knows?. Good Luck Mike
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babs
New Member
Posts: 4
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Post by babs on Jul 31, 2015 17:16:32 GMT 1
Thank you Mike. I am new at this research of Ancestors. My Father and Grandfather passed away at such a young age, they were not much help with Family History. My Great-Great Grandfather was from Pontypool, Wales and my Great-Great Grandmother was from Merthyr Tydfil so I am not sure where they would have been married. I have gone to several websites to find what year they came to the United States. Do you know if my Great-Great-Great Grandmother's name may have changed also, it was listed as Davis but going through this website I have noticed, Davies and other spellings. I am enjoying this website very much.
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Post by mikemerthyr on Aug 1, 2015 12:35:34 GMT 1
Hello BABS The way someone spells their name can be hard to sure for certain if someone else is writing it down and the person has a strong accent they may write it down as they think it sounds not as it could or should be spelt. It is also possible that her name could have changed, again there are a number of different ways of spelling the name and as I said before if they could not read and write they would not know the difference. I think it is very common for Americans to use the DAVIS spelling and emphasize the V sound as VEES rather than WELSH/BRITISH pronouncement of VIS or VIES more emphasize on the I sound IS or IES. Your GGG Grandmother may have taken the American style to blend in more quickly.
Mike
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