RootsChat.Com
Some Special Interests => Travelling People => Topic started by: oldcrone on Monday 12 June 06 22:47 BST (UK)
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Having read recent posts, I've enjoyed hearing about the extremely interesting names that travellers have given their children. It would seem that many families gave their children fairly common names of the time (eg James, Betsy, Eliza), and yet others, really quirky names (such as Britannia, Leviathan, Bendigoe, etc).
The only name I've come across with my traveller ancestors, that's a bit different, is that of my grandma's cousin, BEULAH. I've never come across this name before - think it's old testament?
Clara
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Hi Clara,
Tis a Hebrew name according to this site...interesting:
http://www.thinkbabynames.com/meaning/0/Beulah
Cheers,
India
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Cheers Indie - yes, I've found the name as an old testament name, but still not sure whether it's a typical traveller name?? ???
Clara
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I've seen the use of the name Keziah quite a lot, I think tha's how you spell it. I think it's a lovely name!
Kerry
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In my family there are a couple of unusual names such as Penderbella, Santalina, Shonelles, Joiner, Morselina
I have heard the name Keziah nowadays too
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Hi
I also have some great family names ..the one that pops up on both sides of my Penfold/Orchard families is Defiance. Others are Fiance(shortyening of Defiance maybe), Mizelli, Carnation , Patience and Ocean.
At least these names make it a bit easier to find them.... that is if their parents registered them LOL ;D
deb
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Lovely names.... especially Santalina and Defiance (though the latter would be quite something to live up to if you were a shy little thing.... :o).
Clara
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I have a Parowmas (or Paramus depending on which census you believe). He hated his name so much that he changed it to Percival John. I'm not sure it was an improvement...
:-\
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I've seen the use of the name Keziah quite a lot, I think tha's how you spell it. I think it's a lovely name!
Kerry
I for one have been very thankful for that family name - it travelled up from Huntingdonshire in the 1700's with a Yorkshire soldier and his southern wife so whenever I see the name I know it's possibly another link to be added to my tree:-))
Rena.
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Hi,
My husband's Mum has a friend named Beulah. Apparently it means 'married ' in Hebrew. It has been used as a servant girl's name in a Mae West film and meant 'The Promised Land ' in John Bunyan's 'A Pilgrim's Progress'
Great name ...isn't it!
Linda
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During research into my 18th century Jordan family one of the relations was called Boroles Jordan. Perhaps Boroles was his mother's maiden name - I have certainly never heard of it before. Has anyone else ?
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Linda
I quite like the name Beulah, although it is probably a bit old fashioned now.
Emmeline, Boroles, now that's a strange one, I think you are right in thinking it must be a middle name.
What about those old favourites, Faith, Hope and Charity and if you watch Emmerdale Chastity?
Kerry
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Cheers for the info, Linda, but still there's nothing to suggest that it's a particular 'traveller' christian name :-\ hey, ho....
Clara
ps I like Faith and Hope, Kerry, not sure about Charity (you'd be hounded for money all your life) and Chastity.... (a bit mean of the parents, I think ;D)
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My grandmother was called Defiance Orchard. I have also sent you a personal message.
Jackie
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Hi
In one of my 19th century north west Wiltshire families all the sons' names started with 'A'............
Aaron, Abel, Absalom, Amon, Alfred, Abijah, Abiathon. Their sisters were named Kezia and Keren Happuch.
Cheers Dave
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I think Boroles was a surname, possibly Dutch, so could well have been a mother's maiden name adapted as a christian name.
Cheers Dave
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Hi All,
the unusual names in my husbands travelling family include Defiance, Vashti, Ocean , Nipton, Tryfiania, Lurena and Faithful among others some are family names that pop up alot, would love to know where they came from
Matilda
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Unusual names in my Fishlock family from East Kennet, North Wiltshire and Marshfield, South Gloucestershire were Junia and Elver, both boys. Other families in the Marshfield and Castle Combe area also used Elver. Use mainly confined to the mid 19th century and as far as I'm aware to that area.
The Milliners from Cold Ashton called a son, Nun. I've only come across it this once. Nun was the father of Joshua - of tumbling down walls fame.
Cheers Dave
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I have a Craseanna - anyone come across that before?
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I really think I should post Lemmey alias Leamantinia, Lemintina, Leman on here.
You would think with a name like that she would be easy to trace wouldn't you ::) My great grandma. The family are now all really quite proud of her ........ shame her existance was hidden until now :'(
Can't think how I missed this thread before ;D
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Hi Dave - Have only just seen your message on the name Boroles. Thanks for that..........
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I always liked Lavinia and Mercy, two of my romany grandmothers sisters names, although not particularly "Romany", Ill admit.
Ambrose is one of our family names as well, which I love.
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My freinds family are Romany/travellers and one of her cousins is called Velvet.
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I love unusual names, we have Ocean, Gerainium, Sender in our family. I'd love to know how they came about.
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My Romany gggggggrandmother was Mary, and she named her first daughter Charlotte (my ggggggrandmother), but Charlotte named her daughters Bartha (not Bertha) and Thirza Merhalia.
It was very handy when I came across two Thirza Merhalia Loveridges in the same branch of my tree. Knowing that it was highly unlikely that there were two of them, especially not in 1830's Tasmania, I was able to work out that Thirza married her daughter's husband's uncle!!
Kez :)
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Thirza :o
I have Thriza, well actually it turns out to be Patience Thriza..
;D
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I've got a snowina
Monique
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Possibly born on a snowy night....
Kerry :) :)
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I've never quite got to the bottom of my connection but Edingrile Lowther nee unknown is connected to my tree somehow through her husband George.
They are travelling folk as are my Lowthers, to some degree.
The name Edingrile maybe miss transcribed on teh 1881 I think it might be Edingirl?
Not sure. Probably need to get a look up in 1871 to check ;D
One day!
Update:
In fact I've just done a google search and found this...
http://www.geocities.com/seraphim_angel_2002/GypsyCensusnew.html
gypsy families in 1861. And Edingirl Grey of lincoln is there and the Christinellla's below are from teh Grey family! I may of just solved a wee connection ;D Anyway - that link has some great names.
I've also found the name Christinella in my potters of Cumberland and Northumberland. I think that is very pretty.
P :)
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hi all, I have two Heathcliffe,s son and grandson, both like their names, and also sound ok shortened to Heath, or Cliff, mostly in our family they are big Heath and little Heath, though little Heath is now 19 and not so little, regards Nora T
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Robert Dawson has produced 2 books; one which gives common Gypsy surnames and the other forenames. What is especially useful is that he notes which first names were used within each surname - this is especially useful when trying to find out the maiden name of women.
I can't find his address, however, he often sells these on ebay so you could try on there.
Jackie
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Hi there
I have quite a few interesting names in my family tree, Lemantamia, Noah, Vanslow, have you heard of these traveller names before
Chellin2
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Hi,
I'm really interested in your Vanslow - that was the name of my great grandfather and also of my 3 x great grandfather. I know it was found in both the Smith and Cooper Families.
If your Vanslow was a Cooper I would be very interested in finding out whether we have a connection
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No Sorry my Vanslow was a Smith born in 1897 in Mitcham, Surrey, it is a very unusual name and I have one old aunt still alive that remembers him and the strange name. Sorry I couldnt help but good luck with your search.
Chellin :) :)
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hi my unusual names are cinderella folk/foulk/folke. ambrose adolphus mckensie bendigoe suike consetta lemontina silvesta levathusie
to name a few...
donna
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I have just found two more unusual names in my tree
Traincett and Tranett
There is also a Majenta
I would love to know how they find these names
Chellin2
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I have Patience, Mercy, Elvie, in the Baker,Lee,Rossiter line
Drucillia, within my Pettigrove line.
Britten within my Pettigrove line (Used as first and middle name).
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MY ROMANY GRANDMOTHER'S NAME WAS GENTELIA PATIENCE SMITH HER SISTERS' NAME WERE JESACLISE AND RANEY. HER FATHER WAS MAYOR SMITH. THEY CAME FROM KENT AND SOUTH EAST LONDON IN CARAVAN AND EVENTUALLY SETTLED IN A HOUSE IN CLAPHAM
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Bendigoe was the name of a famous Victorian fist fighting boxer in the Nottingham/Derbyshire area - I wonder if he learnt his art travelling ?
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I've got people with the following middle names; Trelawney, Adolphus, Alonzo (no italian links found so far!)
Istari
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I have some usual Names in my family
Keziah is hebrew also known as Cassia, in the bible Keziah was daughter of Job also a name in my family
Tryphena ( female)
Bulcher ( male)
Tenet Tentant Thennant ( male)
Gainy ( female)
Pencilland ( female)
Jabez ( male) can be James Jim
Plato ( male)
I have seen Nitron in my family tree ( Buckland)
Gentillia known as Jenty Genty & Jennie
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Hi,
I've just found out that one of my ancestors, Joseph Ann (yes female!) Clark had a sister called Salome Asenath Clark (b. 1829), parents possibly born Nottingham.
Their mother moved with Salome to liverpool to work as a hatmaker and "small wares dealer".
I thought Salome Asenath was quite unusual...has anyone heard if some Romani shared this name? I've found out they are Hebrew names...maybe they are of Jewish descent instead? Are there any Romani Clarks from Nottingham?
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I've got boys called Valentine, Moses, Nelson, Copper, Spencer, Tilden, Abednego, Zachariah, Cooper, Lancelot, Jervoise Angel, Oscar, Finlay, Florian, Kit, Albinus, Artimus, Lascelles, Avisai, Courtney, Lazarus, Buller, Dosher, Timothei
and girls called Princess, Kezia, Bolina, Clymene, Almond, Tryphenia, Thirza, Faintnot, Mercy, Tabitha, Priscilla, Jemima, Dinah, Philadelphia, Jedida, Seara, Selina, Delia, Adelaide, Israel, Lettice, Margaretta, Stewart Ann, Nahomi, Fessaner, Dealy, Aspacia, Bina, Roma, Severena, Keturah, Leana, Leavena, Rosanna (my name as well), Comfort, Temperance (very Pilgrimy names), Melita, Gerthelia, Virgia
I think loads of them aren't really 'Romany' names as such but fairly different none the less.
EDIT: Just looked through my tree so have added a few more. A lot of these are non-direct ancestors...I don't just have a crazy name family tree. ;D My siblings all have strange names...must be in the blood.
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Hi,
I've just found out that one of my ancestors, Joseph Ann (yes female!) Clark had a sister called Salome Asenath Clark (b. 1829), parents possibly born Nottingham.
Their mother moved with Salome to liverpool to work as a dressmaker and "small wares dealer".
I thought Salome Asenath was quite unusual...has anyone heard if some Romani shared this name? I've found out they are Hebrew names...maybe they are of Jewish descent instead? Are there any Romani Clarks from Nottingham?
I have a female relative called Stewart/Stuart Ann... :D
I think many Hebrew names were used by non-Jews so they could still be Romani with a Hebrew name.
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Hi Honey-Roma88,
That's interesting what you said about an ancestor being called Stewart Ann!!!
Were they the names of her parents by any chance as my Joseph Ann's parents were called just that! Most census say Joseph Ann too, although there is one that says Josephine, which is probably what they thought she said.
They don't seem to be Romani though...they lived in a house in 1841 and Joseph Ann and Saloma Aseneth's mother was a hat maker ??? they were born in Nottingham and spent about 30 years in Liverpool before returning home. I thought their names were very strange.
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Hi Honey-Roma88,
That's interesting what you said about an ancestor being called Stewart Ann!!!
Were they the names of her parents by any chance as my Joseph Ann's parents were called just that! Most census say Joseph Ann too, although there is one that says Josephine, which is probably what they thought she said.
They don't seem to be Romani though...they lived in a house in 1841 and Joseph Ann and Saloma Aseneth's mother was a hat maker ??? they were born in Nottingham and spent about 30 years in Liverpool before returning home. I thought their names were very strange.
I will have to look up her parents, I can't remember off the top of my head...but her surname was Brimble sometimes Bramble...not sure if she was Roma in particular but some of her ancestors that she has in common with me were.
Almost all of my Romani ancestors lived in houses, often lodging houses and always with other families but usually in houses. A milliner is quite a fancy job for a gypsy though. ;D
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i dont know if mine are romany names but they are not your usual.
Ladies first;
britannia, ocean, richender, thirza, lender, cilianse,
the men folk;
pender, oti, kenza, carnation, santalina, joiner, hairum, trafalgar, lazarus, peron. etc.
but even worse are the names that they called themselves, rather than they birth names; i:e albert, tiddler. pender, butcher. kitty, peg. britannia, popsie. ada, tye. ;)
not what you expect to find in the newspapers top 20 names for 2008 are they? ::)
still we all like them. its what makes the family intersting 8)
a.a.
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A milliner is quite a fancy job for a gypsy though. ;D
I don't know what she did before 1841...her husband died 1837 so no idea what he did either. She supported herself and one daughter her whole working life. Can't think why she would move to Liverpool other than for work-bit of a long way though!
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A milliner is quite a fancy job for a gypsy though. ;D
I don't know what she did before 1841...her husband died 1837 so no idea what he did either. She supported herself and one daughter her whole working life. Can't think why she would move to Liverpool other than for work-bit of a long way though!
I was just looking up Salome and I assume the Salone Asenath Clark (bap. 16th Feb 1830 St. Mary's, Nottingham) is your Salome. It says her father was Joseph and her mother Ann...so was Joseph Ann named after her mother and father (I think that is quite sweet). :)
I tried looking of Family History Society but can't find either baptism which could have given the father's occupation...it does sometimes. :(
I looked on the 1841 census and they don't seem unlikely candidates for travellers although it's almost to tell. Do you know Ann's surname? There are definitely Clark gypsies so it is perfectly possible. It is also possible that after the death of her husband she tried to settle down to a less nomadic life.
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Do you think either of these are your Joseph Clark who died...they both were buried in the same church as Salome was baptised so there might be a connection.
2. Name Joseph CLARKE Date 21 Feb 1837 Aged 41 Place Nottingham Description St Mary Denomination Anglican County code NTT
3. Name Joseph CLARKE Date 26 Dec 1837 Aged 33 Place Nottingham Description St Mary Denomination Anglican County code NTT
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Hi, heres some interesting for you, Kerenhappuch, Shephaniah and Epaphroditus Hunter they all got married in Leeds about 1785.
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Here´s another one:
Sanuvidal Sykes, born in 1871.
He was the son of my great-great-great uncle Thomas Sykes, born in Bradford in 1830.
Thomas worked in the Yorkshire mills as a boy, but became a traveller later, listed in the 1871 census as a hawker and an auctioneer, address "caravan, near the Exchange Inn" in Risca, Monmouthshire. Must have been pretty crowded with 9 family members.
Best wishes,
Aunt Sally
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I have in my ancestors a Zuba Johnson and Zuba Crowther Don't where the name came from Just a family from Leeds. Maybe the show families who had show names and family names got carried away in naming the kids. Does anyone know where Zuba comes from?
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Zuba is Hebrew ( male name)
It means Foresaken
Form of Azubah
Azuba is Hebrew ( female name)
It also means foresaken
Pronuncation : Ah ZOO bah
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These relatives were both females I think somone liked the name but did not know the meaning!
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Just browsing and came across this post.
I went to school with a Beaulah, and I also have a Kezia in my tree but haven't got round to researching her yet.
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Hello
Don't know if this is the right forum or if this will end up as a thread to a previous subject or as a personal message (which i'm still not sure how to send).
Anyway I am trying to track down Boongie Pam. We have many links the same both in surnames, the traveller links and in locations.
If this is Pam or someone knows how to get hold of her I would appreciate the help!!
Many thanks
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I think I posted my odd names else where on another thread, but will post them again here lol.
Most of my Lock family used common first and middle names like George, John, William, Richard, Jacob, Charles. But they would toss in odd first or middle names now and then. Multiples had the name Rollin and Larkin, why I don't know.
Male names: Larkin or Larkin Carrol, Pascal, Elma, Lathe, Lake,
Percivil Keene, Rathus, Selathial, Delmar, Deolen, Deuward, Doudy, Ampton, Showdy, Rollin, Sigel, Oerek, Olin, Schaaler, Shonny, Norval, Odeal, Odel, Cordell, Maris, Othello, Philander, Rody, Urwin, Worth
Female names: Golden, Gedaha, Imogene, Omega, Pickett, Polin, Brachett, Centrellia, Hallis. Letha,
Orpha, Edmonia, Barbary, Arvella, Alpha, Delitha, Elzada, Lorela, Delina, Zuella, Parlee, Suda Alma, Zula,
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I have two unusual names
GOLDEN STEADY (male. b1862)
and a SYNODNIA (female middle name)
Some would say my name TRALENA. was strange.
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Have got the names Major and Fieny and Beulah in my tree all girls
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I have a Safely in my tree! ;D
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I live in South Wales Uk and "Beulah" is the name of some old chapel's (or churches mind my ignorance) around here. "Beulah Chapel"
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I have Patience, Mercy, Elvie, in the Baker,Lee,Rossiter line
Drucillia, within my Pettigrove line.
Britten within my Pettigrove line (Used as first and middle name).
Drucilla Pettigrove (married name Sudds) was my paternal Grand Mother. Do you have any more information as I am new to searching for ancestors. I have traced Pettigrove as her Father and Lee as her Mother so far. Thanks
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hi im very new to all this and have been reading with interest
i had a great great aunt VERTINA SERKIT
and a great great uncle DANGERFIELD GUMBLE [known as DAYNCH]
two names i hadn't read
i have got a few of the other manes in the family
Ocean etc
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Not gyspy or traveller names but nevertheless, rather unusual:
Edwards/Lodington:
Buley/Buly - seems to be a variation of Beulah.
Beverley - a male name, rather than a female one; it happens he married a Buley
Candler - male, brother of the above Beverley and used in two generations
Gerrard:
Buley/Buly/Bulay (see above)
Purthena
Archelaus
Keturah (married a Gerrard)
Staple:
Deans (female)
Joney
Meshach
Shadrach
Moesely
Flack:
Enfield
Enlatia
Spark(e)s:
Newman/Numan
Woods:
Chapman
Parnell
Plus as someone mentioned earlier, I have come across whole families using the same starting letter for all their children.
Most interesting though is the Andrews/Anderson family of Therfield, Hertfordshire, I came across. If I remember correctly, many members took the surname Andrews whilst others took the surname Anderson. The root of the surname is the same, both being patronymics of Anders/Andrews Son.
Regards,
James R. Yeowell.
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I have also heard that travellers also often chose girls names that end with an a - is that an old wives tale?!
TreeGirl
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Ooh dont get me started on Gypsy names! I adore them. We have some wonderful ones and yes, the majority but not all end with an A. Girls ames in our tree include, Gentila, Genta, Coralena, Rosina, Cinderella, Anselina, Mercy, Comfort, Lucretia, Silence, Naomi, Grace, Jecoliah, Carnation, Saibi, Rosalee, Cinnimenti, Vashti, Sophia, Lamentina, Honour, Keziah, Letitia, Ocean, Britannia, Mizerella, Sharna and Katia. Boys names include Valentino, Reconcile, Fairnetty, Nimrod, Serug, Timan and Teaman.
I love the names Snowina and Velvet!
To Deb USA, wasnt there an actress called Beulah some years ago?
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I agree that the Romany names are terrific. So much easier to research too than having the same first names appear over and over again!
I am descended from Dorton Buckland line and I have not seen some of my family names mentioned, i.e.
Males: Absalom, Ephraim, Ezra, (Jabez already mentioned by Tiggi) Liberty, Solomon.
Females: Britania, Cheshra, Freedom, Leah, Tennah, and Zena.
How nice to have original names! Ann granddaughter of Rosina and great granddaughter of Tryphena (Fane)
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My niece has just put keziah as one of her babys names, its a lovly name , jobs daughter in the bible, the most unusual names i know of in my family were tryphena and syberina
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No Sorry my Vanslow was a Smith born in 1897 in Mitcham, Surrey, it is a very unusual name and I have one old aunt still alive that remembers him and the strange name. Sorry I couldnt help but good luck with your search.
Chellin :) :)
Quite a few of them on mitcham common were hungarian roma immigrants who camped with the romany, at that time they probaly still pookered to one another.
cheers, shane.
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i have the name hephzibiah or something like that in my tree :S is this a gypsy name?
Thats a unusual name,sounds foriegn
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thats what i thought too
its not though as they were born in suffolk england and i have all their grand parents names, so must just be a weird name, or could come from the mothers side of the family
Hepzibah is a name Ive come across in my non-romany family, I dont think it is an example of Gypsy names. I rather like it tho, kinda rolls off your tongue.
I have qute a few wierd fornames in my non-rom lineage. Heres a few for you:
Eardley, Jabez, Zipporah (f), Abner, Iley (f), Salathiel, Methuselah, Shelumiel, Festus, Zebulon, Faulkinder, Noor, and Kidd!
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Ive not come across the name in any Romany family, but it may be an old bible name? In the book Carrie's War by Nina Bawden, a character is named Hepzibah.
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Hepzibah is a bible name. A few of my very religious but definitely non travelling extended family used Hepzibah in the mid-late 19th century. The side of my family that were travellers had fairly standard names, several Keziahs and Mercys but there was an Emery and a Fountain, both girls. Not names I've come accross before but don't know that there's anything particularly linking them to travellers or whether they just liked the sound of them.
Sheena
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had to post this name I came across the other day.
Strange but true!!!
SPORTSELLER D Taylor.
She is a 10 year old sister of Obidiah D Taylor.
Parents were John and Charlotte Taylor.
A very strange name or was it just a misunderstanding by the enumerator?
In 1901 Obadiah has now taken the name Draper and is with his wife and a son with another odd name either Shedine or Fhedine???
Might be Theodore - i found a baptism in Malling in Kent for a Feodore Diaper 2nd May 1899 with the right parents
Jim
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Hi Jim
Thanks for posting this about Sportsellar. She belongs to my family!
I'm sure the spelling is accurate as she named one of her own daughters Sportcellar (shortened to Sportie) too who only died within the past few years and all the family know/knew her as that. I've met the daughter of Theodore/Feodore Diaper who is now in her 80s and she's given me all the family info, including a photo of Sportie the younger and some of Obidiah.
Obidiah and Sportsellar were raised by their maternal grandparents: these are the John Taylor and Charlotte you found in the census, mis-recorded as their parents. Their father was in fact a Spencer Diaper and their mother Alice Taylor. So the children went by both names, Taylor and Diaper.
I'd love to have the full details of the baptism of Feodore Diaper that you found in Malling. His daughter would be thrilled to see it.
I have lots of evidence that the family travelled down regularly from Suffolk to Kent, presumably for the hop-picking.
Many thanks in advance.
Best wishes
Sharon
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I have an Ocean in my past.
I have done a bit of further digging, and it was not an uncommon name in the 19th Century. Girls who were born at sea (because of the long voyages around the Empire) were often called Ocean.
Quite why the mainly landlocked Romanies used the name is another question though!
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Hi Sharron,
I thought you might pick up on this as there is a Draper!!
The Baptism is on the west malling resource centre, they have kindly transcribed and there are a number of search options. If you search on Knife grinder under the TRADE tab it will take you straight to it.
http://www.west-malling.co.uk/V2/baptisms.php5
Now the 100 dollar question - why did they name her Sportseller?
regards,
Jim
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Hi Jim
Many thanks. What a great site! Lots of interesting finds if you do a search by occupation, as you say.
Best wishes
Sharon
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I have an Ocean in my past.
I have done a bit of further digging, and it was not an uncommon name in the 19th Century. Girls who were born at sea (because of the long voyages around the Empire) were often called Ocean.
Quite why the mainly landlocked Romanies used the name is another question though!
Interesting to see this as I was dealing with a travelling family at work yesterday and one of the children was called Ocean so it sounds as though it is still in use!
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No Sorry my Vanslow was a Smith born in 1897 in Mitcham, Surrey, it is a very unusual name and I have one old aunt still alive that remembers him and the strange name. Sorry I couldnt help but good luck with your search.
Chellin :) :)
Hi Im trying to find my dad, Vanslow Smith. All his family come from the Mitcham area.
It sounds like your Vanslow could be the person he was named after.They all come fro the mitcham area and we have travellers in the family line. I wonder if you could be kind enough to contact me if you have any news that could help me, either with details for him, or anyone else in the family that may be able to lead me to him. I am trying to find him and my brother would like to get in touch again too, to tell him about updates in the family he is unlikey to know about. I would really like to find my dad, its been too long, so any info you have however small, would be really appreciated. Thanks
Moderator's Note: recent details removed per Rootschat policy of not posting details of living, or possibly living, people and email addresses. If anyone can help Clare with information please do so ONLY by PM (personal message) after she has 3 posts. Thank you
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hi, oldcrone, yes there are lots of odd gypsy names. many are biblical, my brother law has a a rare name.he is called shedrack, mishack, abendigo, nelson,? hows that for a mouthful, all the best..rob g
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Hi
I have Vashti, Moses and Sampson. which are biblical names. I also have Solonica. Dellina Mezzanna, Kizzy and Loni. The Boswells are known for their unusual names. :)
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The Smiths of Headington quarry, Oxford never cease to amaze me with their weird and wonderful collection of names. My Roberts family had a few as well.
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Hello Clare
To find out if anyone knows of your living romany relatives, you might find it useful to post a message on this forum
http://www.bbc.co.uk/kent/romany_roots/
quite a few travellers use the message board to keep in touch with each other
good luck
Monique
No Sorry my Vanslow was a Smith born in 1897 in Mitcham, Surrey, it is a very unusual name and I have one old aunt still alive that remembers him and the strange name. Sorry I couldnt help but good luck with your search.
Chellin :) :)
Hi Im trying to find my dad, Vanslow Smith. All his family come from the Mitcham area.
It sounds like your Vanslow could be the person he was named after.They all come fro the mitcham area and we have travellers in the family line. I wonder if you could be kind enough to contact me if you have any news that could help me, either with details for him, or anyone else in the family that may be able to lead me to him. I am trying to find him and my brother would like to get in touch again too, to tell him about updates in the family he is unlikey to know about. I would really like to find my dad, its been too long, so any info you have however small, would be really appreciated. Thanks
Moderator's Note: recent details removed per Rootschat policy of not posting details of living, or possibly living, people and email addresses. If anyone can help Clare with information please do so ONLY by PM (personal message) after she has 3 posts. Thank you
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Hello Clare
To find out if anyone knows of your living romany relatives, you might find it useful to post a message on this forum
http://www.bbc.co.uk/kent/romany_roots/
quite a few travellers use the message board to keep in touch with each other
good luck
Monique
well-its a long shot-but the name is unusual..... :-\
somebody of that name is a member of Romany Road and posts on their web site-you could try asking them to forward a message for you
http://www.romanyroad.co.uk/#
Monique
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Bendigoe was the name of a famous Victorian fist fighting boxer in the Nottingham/Derbyshire area - I wonder if he learnt his art travelling ?
I am reseracing my Epps family.
Can you let me know your connection.
Cheers,
Carolyn
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Oh, I have a lot of weird names in my family tree (although not all are direct lines) ...
Danch, Delilah, Solomon, Dangerfield, Lenda, Arkless, Methuselah, Cinderella, Job, Urania, Cinamenta, Swalley/Swayley, Algar, Moses, Wythan, Lemitania, Levi, Lovinia, Cornelius, Sylvanus, Trailey, Woodlock, Obediah, Adolphus .... and that's not getting into the nick names they gave each other....
I always thought I'd never hear odder names than these but I suppose it's all to do with perspective because I married a Spaniard and honestly, they aren't all called Pedro or Manuel. The Spanish have some of the oddest names I've ever heard. One interesting point though for those who mentioned ancestors with both a male and a female name ... that's quite common in Spain but normally with Jose Maria or Maria Jose - you can get the connection, yes? That's right. Joseph-Mary or Mary-Joseph. Perhaps that's more understandable in a catholic country though..
A while ago I did a family tree for a friend of mine (who comes from gypsies as well) and she had these names in hers....
Nelson, Moses, Solomon, Amalain, Shadrack, Trainett, Geldrey, Keziah, Sidnull, Ambrose and one called Daniel Newyear.
At least no one can claim these names are boring!
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Can anyone tell me if they have heard of a christian name "Herpelina". I have her in 1861 with husband Edward Stephenson who was a hawker. Had a look at the actual transcript and that is what it appears to be.
Thanks Val
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Hi Val
It looks like Heperlina ... it is a strange name :) It looks like she may have died in 1863 under the name Heper :-\ Stephenson
amended ... I see her with her son, Edward and family, in 1891...Happy Stevenson, mother, 72, wid b Baney Castle ....
what a nice name ...Happy! :D
deb
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I have a Doucabelle in my tree.
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Thanks Deb, will have a look at the 1891. She only appears once as Herpelina.
Val
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Hi Val
Do you have a thread posted about Hepelina/Happy.... Ambrose the son is bc 1841 but they have much younger children as well ( she may be a second wife)... I am not sure if you are needing to find her and her family ...but if so I would be "happy" to search! ... ;D
deb :)
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Hi Deb,
What I am really trying to do is find out who the father of Edward Stephenson born abt 1816 Stockton, according to that census. I think he was the son of Ambrose Stephenson and Catherine Middee, but can't find on the IGI. Thought some clue about Heperlina may help with earlier searching.
Thanks Val
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I can do a Nebucanezzar, and a Chederlaoma (male) in the 19th century. The tree and it's origins by the fact that Neb.s surname was Ayres (definitely gypsy) and Ched.s surname was Isaacson, not proven Jewish though at least one grave has a Star of David headstone, apparently these were used by various free church groups at the time, and I have a lot of Baptists.
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I've seen the use of the name Keziah quite a lot, I think tha's how you spell it. I think it's a lovely name!
Kerry
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One of my granmothers name is kezian and another harriet,and a philidelphia think these are sweet names to name a girl.
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Keturah or Ketural are names which appear on my father's side many years back. No known gypsy connections on that side.
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I am new to this and also fairly new to computers .I am a Smith/Elliot ,on my dads side and a
Wilson/Ratchford on my mothers side .I have done pretty well Wilson/Burnside/Cunningham/ Rafferty side from Kirby Moorside and Wath Yorks, not good with the Smith/Elliot side.my dad ,Jack always told me he had not been registered at birth,but was born in Leicester .I found him on the 1911 census at Foleshill Coventry,with his father Benjamin Smith,mother Jane Smith [nee Elliot ] and sister Criseany Smith, 5 months also Elsie, cousin. I live in Canada so find the research very difficult .I see that someone also has a link to my aunt Creasy, im hoping that will unlock my Smith mystery.CREASENNE,was registered in Sheffield ,Oct ,Nov,Dec 1910 ,this is also how her name is spelt on her gravestone ,[if i remember rightly].Ihave not found that name any where else. thank you --Janey
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I have names in my family kezian,matilda,philidelphia,soloman these names both from my mums and dad side all romany links and and some traveller links and there is horse dealers.
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Janeo - I have Elliotts. Matilda Elliott was my great great granny, so we may be related. And I live 5 mins from Foleshill ;D
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we could be related lots of romany surnames in my tree.. lots come from kent ,sussex,croydon. my gg-gran lived in a tent in mitcham with her hubby... where most travellers lived... I have Issac think thats a nice name.
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Not sure if i'm replying to myself, lots of travellers use jewish names i have some in my family link... I have a kezia or kezah roberts found its a jewish name she is of german decent so i wonder if she is jewish-german. But i have traveller links in my family with jewish names..
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Oops! Thought you was talking to me... i read one of your post you have roberts in your family i have a kezia roberts my ggg-gran who married a curd... most from kent
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Hi Jew ;D havent been on here since I last posted so didnt see your posts. I dont have a Kezia but I have a vague notion the Roberts gypsies from Kent/Sussex were all related. I hope Im right. x
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hi ,I,ve since found a lot more info on my Smiths ,but not the elliots. It seems a lot of travellers and romanys stopped at Court House Green Foleshill ,must have been a big site .My grannys name was Jane Elliott ,her dad was Fred Elliott horse dealer thats all i know, she married my grandad Ben Smith in 1906 at Barby near Daventry.they seem to have been around that area a lot .Both are buried at Walsgrove [Walsgrave?] cemetary the big one.My dad told me a lot of relatives were buried there.------janeo.
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Hi rebekahm
I sent you message dont know where its gone so i write out again.... Need to say sorry someone gave me a tree of my ggg-grandmother kezia her surname name is taylor not roberts... She and her husband George curd came from kent sussex. I have a book called A Stall Story... of 100yrs of market Trading of surrey street market croydon. George curd my ggg- father Had 3 greengrocery shops and stalls... The book was wrote by viviene lovett my mums side of family. But it as my dads side the curds. My ggg-father George curd than became the biggest horse dealer in the south of england,dueing ww1. He sold these horses and ponies to united Dairies,bakers,army to be used as mounted home guards in east Anglia.
He bought these horses from the roberts your family from wales,who did came from kent sussex. Someone did get in touch with me on some site that it was her family roberts who sold the horses to George curd..
jew
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Thats ok Jew. A lot of people seem to be descended from my lot but when we look into it it doesnt add up! But Im glad you've found more info out and are going the right direction with your tree. x
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I go to the Asda's in Walsgrave every week...small world. Its interesting about Courthouse Green, I always think of Coventry as having no gypsy heritage but I suppose it has. x
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Hi
I will look on net and i buy that book courthouse green see what the book says.... Alot of my family are hawkers and used to go hoppicking in kent had a book on ebay about hopicking in kent with loads of photos in,i see if robert family in book i get next week when i have the dosh.. I see you had names down Girberts and wilkins.. My mums side as Girberts and my dads wilkins wonder if same line of family... my mums side also as my dads have travelers connections. My gg-gran harriet cooper m a gladwin lived in a tent on mitcham common that my dads side. Harriet had grandson wilkins he from croydon. And Girberts my mums side and fosters are olive skin and blue eyes and black hair which alot of travelers had this colouring skin tone and dark hair which runs in my family or blonde and pale.... alot of my mums side came from north some moved south to croydon.... some names i have are Isacc and soloman ... Be on later see what people wrote about this and that..
jew
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I have just found tbhis post and it seems you have solved a mystery I have been working on for more than 2 years. Sportseller is my diect ancestor and I've been totally stumped as to who her parents were as they clearly weren't John and Charlotte.
I was wondering if you could maybe tell me some more information about Alice Taylor and Spencer Diaper, if it's not too much trouble? Did they die and were thus brought up by their grandparents or were the aforementioned parents never married? I can't seem to find them on the census anywhere and am totally confused because Sportseller's marriage certficate lists her father as "Snub Smith", her maiden name as "Smith"...
Thanks for your post, much appreciated :D I'm not sure how to send Private Messages on here but would love to chat to you further if you have the time.
Kind Regards and thanks very much!!!!
Ed
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Hi Jim
Thanks for posting this about Sportsellar. She belongs to my family!
I'm sure the spelling is accurate as she named one of her own daughters Sportcellar (shortened to Sportie) too who only died within the past few years and all the family know/knew her as that. I've met the daughter of Theodore/Feodore Diaper who is now in her 80s and she's given me all the family info, including a photo of Sportie the younger and some of Obidiah.
Obidiah and Sportsellar were raised by their maternal grandparents: these are the John Taylor and Charlotte you found in the census, mis-recorded as their parents. Their father was in fact a Spencer Diaper and their mother Alice Taylor. So the children went by both names, Taylor and Diaper.
I'd love to have the full details of the baptism of Feodore Diaper that you found in Malling. His daughter would be thrilled to see it.
I have lots of evidence that the family travelled down regularly from Suffolk to Kent, presumably for the hop-picking.
Many thanks in advance.
Best wishes
Sharon
Soorry, doubble post.
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to send personal messages just click on the green scroll at the side.
Val
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New members usually need 3 posts to send and receive PMs.
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to send personal messages just click on the green scroll at the side.
Val
Ah, thanks for the help. Much appreciated! :)
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JEW, I live close to Courthouse Green now but sadly I cant find anything out. There also were Romany gypsies by the gasworks in Foleshill/Longford area. The Courthouse Green gypsies were mentioned in a book I recently read. I cant remember if it was A pocket full of Butterflies, or Rabbit stew and a penny or two. Read them both within a week, fantastic true life stories. Theres also one by somebody Petulengro that made the top seller list, they were/are well known fortune tellers and it may have been in that book. Hearsall Common is also mentioned as the fairs were there and still are.
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A previous thread on Rootschat referred to a gypsy woman who was given Crimea as a Christian name. During the 1850s of course.
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Hi
I have a Kezia and so does my husband-apparently not too uncommon! My sister in law thinks Kezia was a daughter of Job in the bible,
Wish I'd seen it before I had my daughters
Avril
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Not traveller, but I have one instance of the name Osmond, and very useful too, since he left a paper trail between Wiltshire and Dorset in the 16th/17th centuries. Unfortunately he died at Blandford Forum before the 1731 fire, but luckily left a surviving will. Much more use than on the possibly gypsy part of my mother's tree where there are many Hephzibahs, just as difficult as John if you get a lot.
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:)Hi, I'm new to this site and while I can't prove if my ggggrandad Henry Smith was a gypsy, his eldest brother was called Shallum, they were from Bubwith Yorkshire. ;)
Sue
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Why not google "Bubwith+gypsy" and see what you get?
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Hi Redrodger, I've tried the Bubwith site but couldn't find anything about gypsies, maybe it's just me who's a bit thick!
SueWhy not google "Bubwith+gypsy" and see what you get?
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No Sue, to me this result suggest s gypsy families did not attract much attention in Bubwith.
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Wouldn't want to be called "Bendigoe"... Interesting names yes, people will definitely remember you with an exotic name like that.
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I suspect that might have a connection to the Australian gold rush, two towns involved I believe were Ballarat and Bendigo, rather like Crimea, Alma etc. mentioned earlier.
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Most of the Roma names came from the file as they could not read and write
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Sorry bible