Genealogy Chat

Tried asking this a few minuntes ago -- think I pressed the wrong button, as I don't see my original message. Would anyone know what "Dora" is short for -- or would it be a "full name"? Have a gt-grandmother Dora Stuart who just doesn't have any paperwork, anywhere. Also, her middle name was Emmeline but a family member referred to her as Emily. Is Emily a common nickname? Thanks for any assistance! Lisa.

According to the Collins Dictionary of First Names: DORA was originally a diminutive of Dorothy and also of Theodora, but is now a name in its own right. It came into use at the beginning of the 19th century. A pet form is Dorrie, shared with other names like Doreen and Doris. EMILY became very popular in the 19th century, when it was sometimes shortened to Emma or Milly. Similar names: Emelye, Emilia, Emblem and Emblin. Emily is a shor form of Emmeline.

Linda Please, I hope you do not mind me asking if you could tell me if Bessie is a nickname for anything? Thanks very much Liz

Bessie is a short form of Elizabeth, but was used as a name in its own right as well

Lisa. Bessie is a nickname for Elizabeth. Kathy Epsom, SRY

Liz - Bessie is short for... Elizabeth! Elizabeth became common about the end of the 15th century, and its later popularity in England stemmed from the long reign of Elizabeth I. Among the many diminutives are Bess, Bessie, Betsy, Betty, Beth, Eliza, Lizzy, Liz, Libby and the Scottish Elspeth, Elspie and Elsie.

Blushes with embarresment. LOL I think with my name I should have know.!!!!!! Thanks Liz/Elizabeth/Bessie/Beth/Lizzie/......................

Linda, thanks so much for your help. Guess I really should get a book like that; could come in handy. THANK YOU!

Way back then, a lot of short forms were used in their own right on certificates. Ones I have come across are Eliza and Lizzie (Elizabeth) Meg, Peg, Maggie (Margaret) Gerty (Gertrude)

Tish I can understand for Patricia Teesh is probably a local dialect pronunciation of Tish

Hi Lisa Dora was also short for Isadora. Regards Maxine

Hi My g/g/grandmothers name was Cordelia. I could not find her anywhere. However in the end i found her listed as Dora. Sarah

My grandma was always called Nellie but her proper name was Martha Ellen. I believe the Nellie comes from Ellen. This thread has also answered another question. My grandfather had children called Ernest and Elsie and I wondered whether the daughter was named after his sister Elizabeth as his eldest brother was called Ernest and the eldest sister was Elizabeth. I see from one of the responses here that Elsie is indeed a short version of Elizabeth. Mel

A good site for nicknames is http://www.tngenweb.org/franklin/frannick.htm

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. Everyone on my dad's side seemed to be named after another family member, and Dora just wasn't a name that was repeated (Emily certainly was though).

Hope this helps www(.)babynamenetwork.com/index.cfm www.behindthename.com Mary