Genealogy Chat

I've come across the male forename MELATIAH in one of the more remote arms of my tree, and as I've never heard of the name before, I wondered if anyone out there had any idea of its origin? Rosemary

Hi Rosemary, The only thing I could find is that it was a biblical name meaning deliverance from the Lord. Other than that I can't say that I've heard of it before. Hope you find out more. All the best Paula

Melatiah (ml´´t´) (KEY) , in the Bible, worker on the wall of Jerusalem. A Gibeonite who assisted in building the wall of Jerusalem under Nehemiah (Nehemiah 3:7).

Can any of you very clever people help with the male forename SELLOUS? Could be a transcription error - any ideas?? Thanks! Dierdre X

Diedre. Could be of Dutch derivation. The Selous Scouts were a high grade SAS type unit in Rhodesia ( now Zimbabwe)

I've a G G Uncle FISON in my tree. Has anyone ever heard of this (Apart from Gro-Bags!)

St.Hill and Sainthill (as a first name) figure quite prominently in my tree - as part of a London based family (1800+ and two of them are on the 1901) and I know there were Sainthills in Bradninch, Devon too. Has anyone else come across it? (or know what it means?) Rosi

Have seen Mehalath too - does anyone know if this is based on the same root??

i have a mahalath in my tree also a augustus and centurion.what 3 unusual names

Anyone else come across a Thirza? Janet

The best thing to do to find out more on an unusual name is to put the name in your search engine and see what comes up. That's the way I found Melatiah - lots of family tree details popped up with ladies named Melatiah around the 1600's and 1700's, as well as lots of links to biblical sites. If you all try putting your names in as well you might find lots of interesting sites come up. Best of luck! Paula

Hi Vivien, I've found a website you might be interested in : www(.)weleda(.)co(.)uk then go to the Weleda History section on the right hand side. Velleda is the French derivitive of Weleda who was a priestess of healing. Hope this helps. All the best, Paula.

Alison and Paula Thank you for your replies- I appreciate your help. Rosemary

Vivien & Janet The names you are loking for are on a name web site.www(.)babynamenatwork(.)com/index.cfm Keith & Helen Unable to find Sellous or Fison but there is a web site that gives names with similar spelling www(.)behindthename(.)com Mary

Janet- I came across a Thirza also called Theresa in another census.

Thanks, Keith and |Mary! How helpful you are... I will investigate both your suggestions! Dierdre X

I have a unusual name in my family tree it is Xenophon.there are at least 2 and the mother of one of the Xenophon's was Letitia. I also have a lettice a nice name that one.I also have an Unusual surname in my tree, Elliget any one come a cross that one ? Diane.

I found a Harda in the 1901 Census but when I looked closely at the actual printout I believe it to be Harold. I compared it to the name above which ended in a 'd' and they looked similar. If people are having trouble finding names there could be spelling mistakes as I believe there was in this case. Melanie

Thanks Monica and Mary, Monica - I had wondered if Thirza could have been an abbreviation for Theresa. Mary - I've looked on that site- apparently Thirza is a Hebrew name meaning sweet natured or cypress tree. Janet

I've got two people in my tree (female) with the name Essney. Anyone come across this one before? Sue