Alias query

[BronwenS]

Can anyone help  with this  business of alias for people.  I have several in my family tree and am interesting to know what this was about?

John Ross alias MacGeorge
William Ross alias Braughter/Brachter/Braughter born 1765 Fearn (son of John Ross alias MacGeorge) above

Thanks Bronwen NZ

[locksmith]

No one answer for this.

Try this article for starters

https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/Use_of_Aliases_-_an_Overview

As it says at the beginning 'books have been written on the subject'

Simon

[KGarrad]

See also:
http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/eng/DEV/NamesPersonal/AliasesDiscriminant

Aliases were prevalent in Devon! That's why the article is there.

[Skoosh]

Bronwen, in Fearn the fisherfolk all had by-names as there were very few surnames in the villages & scores of Mackay's for example. They were generally Gaelic & although the Easter Ross Gaelic has died out the folk still use Gaelic words & still know their neighbours family by-names.
 Brauchter I don't know, MacGeorge sounds like part of a patronymic (some Gaels can still recite a patronymic going back centuries, their "sloinneadh!") & in an area where you couldn't throw a stick without hitting a Ross by-names were needed.  My gt grannie's sister was a seanachie in Fearn & was expert in foks genealogy but she died during the war! She gets a mention in Peter Fraser the NZ Prime Minister's biog'. Fraser was from Fearn & encouraged many of the local boys to emigrate to NZ & helped them out.
 The place to ask about Brauchter is the Tain Museum website.

http://www.tainmuseum.org.uk

Skoosh.

[BronwenS]

Great thanks skoosh.  I had been wondering the relevance of the alias to the family,  was it a random name or a name going back.  I haven't as yet read the two articles properly. 

The great Peter fraser, regarded as the father of hte welfare state.  The welfare state in aotearoa/NZ.  Sadly the welfare state has been eroded over the past almost 30 yers and we now have people living in cars with families!

Have you done your family tree?  Am happy to share what I have if you are interested, see if there is a connection anywhere. 

I have looked at the Tain Museum site before - but will look into more.

Regards Bronwen

[Skoosh]

Bronwen, MacGeorge could have been his father/grandfather or an ancestor. I will dig out my Ross connection. Mackenzie, Thomson & Ross.

Skoosh.

[BronwenS]

Thanks Skoosh