To read more on the Darthula Ross case study, click here.

There are many examples around the world of naming patterns, the system of assigning names to individuals from one generation to the next. These naming patterns can make research easier in some ways because the naming pattern may give you a clue that you are on the right path.

As an example, the naming pattern in Brazil will give you the surnames of both parents and possibly other relatives. It is very common in Brazil to include the surnames of both parents as part of their child’s name. Exceptions do exist, but knowing this pattern is helpful in research. Scandinavian countries have similar naming patterns to help distinguish parentage and is known as patronymics.

Naming patterns from England

Immigrants to North America will sometimes continue naming patterns from their home countries. I have noticed my Southern ancestors do have naming patterns, and they mostly follow the naming patterns found in England.

Typically, parents choose names for their children that honor other individuals. A child’s given name may come from a grandparent, aunt, or uncle. Sometimes they will be named for a famous historical figure, such as Benjamin Franklin. A middle name be the mother’s maiden name. As each child is born, the name given will be done in a certain order. The Family Search Wiki article explains:

• The first son was named after the paternal grandfather
• The second son was named after the maternal grandfather
• The third son was named after the father
• The fourth son was named after the oldest paternal uncle
• The fifth was named after the second oldest paternal uncle or the oldest maternal uncle

• The first daughter was named after the maternal grandmother
• The second daughter was named after the paternal grandmother
• The third daughter was named after the mother
• The fourth daughter was named after the oldest maternal aunt
• The fifth was named after the second oldest maternal aunt or the oldest paternal aunt

If there was duplication (for example, the paternal grandfather and the father had the same name), then the family moved to the next position on the list.

This kind of naming pattern can cause confusion because the same names will appear in each generation and between the descendants of siblings. It would be easy to mix-up children. It would also be easy to dismiss a possibility if it did not follow the pattern.

Given names that start with the letter D

One thing that stood out right away when looking at the Langford family was the given names that started with the letter D:

1. Drucilla
2. Drayton
3. Darthula

These D-names are all a bit unusual. Unusual names are great for genealogical research because they stand out and these names do standout. The other interesting thing is how frequently first names with the letter D show up.

Here is a look at the D-names that show up among Drucilla’s siblings:

James K. Waits

1. Drayton Waits
2. Elizabeth Drayton Waits

Simeon Charles Waits

1. Drucilla Elizabeth Waits
2. There is a grandchild named Dorinda.
3. There are additional grandchildren named Delia, Dealiven, Mary Dellar, Dora, Dortha, Dorotha, Felix Dexter, and Samuel Drayton.

Simpson Waits

1. Has a grandson named William Drayton McKinney
2. Other grandchildren named Dow, Delilah, Dora

Benjamin Waits

1. Drucilla Waits, who marries a Drayton Waits, possibly a cousin.

Silas K. Waits

1. Electha Darthula Waits

Waits Family Naming Pattern

The Waits do not strictly follow the naming pattern from England. But they do seem to name children in honor of other family members. Drayton appears several times, so that name appears to be important. Darthula shows up in Silas K. Waits daughter Electha Darthula, another unusual name. It is this propensity for D first names that caught my eye as I looked at the William B. Langford family. The naming pattern does not provide sufficient evidence to prove my theory, but it does suggest a closer look.

The name Darthula

Darthula is a rare, American (South) name. Darthula is a variant of Dorthula and may have come from a Scottish poem by James MacPherson titled Darthula. The name may be Gaelic in origin and means beautiful eyes.

Name variations and nicknames for Darthula

1. Dorthulia
2. Dorothy
3. Dora
4. Dolly/Dollie
5. Dortha/Dorthy
6. Dodie
7. Dorothea
8. Doritt
9. Dodee
10. Doretta

This name analysis does not provide much overall evidence that Darthula Langford and Darthula Ross are the same person. It is interesting, however, that the names Drucilla, Drayton, and Darthula show up in extended family members. These names do not show up in any other allied family lines, so it is unique to the Waits family in Alabama. It is also helpful to note the name variations for an unusual name. It is possible records exist for a nickname or name variation of Darthula.