Spelling variations

Especially pre 1900, you will find huge variations in spelling of unusual names. If you are looking for Wilson or Smith you should be ok. But McKay could be Mackie or McKie. I will tell you how to search for variations in a later post.

The Education Act of 1872 legislated for compulsory schooling and many public schools were built as a result. The effects of education on the general population are filtering through by the 1890s.

Prior to this ordinary folk were largely illiterate.  You can tell, if they signed their certificate with an X mark. 

So the registrar just wrote down what he heard. Fine if the person was called Brown or Smith. If the person was not local and had an unfamiliar accent you get some strange renditions. Nowadays with television we are familiar with all sorts of accents.

It is often the vowels that change e.g. Breckenridge or Brackenridge, Drennan or Drinnan.

Try saying the name aloud.

Mckune could be McEwan


I've been looking at some Irish folk who came from Derry to Ayrshire and are variously record as Mawhinney, McWhinnie and Mahoney.