England Saints Days, Properly Addressing Others (National Institute)

Relationships and Forms of Address
The meaning of terms used for relationships has changed over time. We have a limited definition of the term ‘in-laws’ as those related in certain ways by marriage. A novice family historian is shocked at her first encounter with a 3-year-old daughter-in-law, and puzzled by a man describing his father’s new wife as his mother-in-law. In former times the term encompassed all those who ‘in the eyes of the law’ were related, thus a step-child or step-mother fit the definition. Likewise the terms sister and brother would be used for sister-in-law and brother-in-law.

Before the 18th century the terms nephew and niece meant any descendant or younger relative, not just the child of a brother or sister. Likewise uncle and aunt could refer to any older relative. Beware also the ‘courtesy’ aunts and uncles, usually close friends of their parents in a time when children would not address an adult by their first name. Many a child has thought they had a rich relative when mother talked of ‘going to see uncle,’ whose residence contained a large amount of valuable silver and jewellery. Only later in life did they realize that mother was making her regular visit to the pawnshop!

Most people don’t know the difference between a second cousin and a cousin twice removed. Cousins who happen to be somewhat older than oneself tend to be called ‘aunts’ and ‘uncles’ and any relative roughly the same age is referred to as a ‘cousin.’ This can really cause confusion for the family historian trying to sort out the family tree. Never take a stated relationship at its face value. On the other hand, “a cousin Betty” is a euphemism for a half-witted person.

Goodman and Goodwife, (nicknamed ‘Goodie’), were forms of address in mediaeval and early modern times for the master or mistress of the house who were below the status of gentleman and gentlewoman. In the early modern period the title Mr. is seen in parish registers and other documents. It referred then to someone of at least minor gentry status, such as churchwardens, mayors, masters of guilds, city livery companies and magistrates. Mistress or Mrs. or Dame were used for a married or unmarried woman of the same status. The term Miss for a spinster only appeared in the early 18th century. Mr. was also formerly a courtesy title for any priest with a Master of Arts degree, whilst the title Sir before a priest’s name indicated that he was a non-graduate or had only a bachelor’s degree. From the later 18th century Mr. has been used for any untitled male, and Master for a boy.

Teachers prior to the 20th century may have titled themselves Professor, whether male or female, and would be addressed as Sir or Madam. This form of address does not mean that they have the title Sir which is acquired by receiving a knighthood. Cecil Humphery-Smith (Something to Think About. Family Tree Magazine Vol15 #1, page 48.1998) explains more about these intricacies with his usual humour.

Names for Days
The following are often mentioned in documents to which the genealogist refers, so a little explanation was thought helpful. The chart below comprises general names whilst Saints’ days are considered in the next section. The names of the quarter days, especially Lady Day and Michaelmas, are particularly important as they are frequently the occasions for payments of wages or rents etc. Otherwise you may interpret them like one novice who reported that ‘Lady Day and Michael Mas were receiving a lot of money every year’!

Chart: Names for Days

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Information in this Wiki page is excerpted from the online course English - Understanding Names in Genealogy offered by The National Institute for Genealogical Studies. To learn more about this course or other courses available from the Institute, see our website. We can be contacted at [mailto:wiki@genealogicalstudies.com wiki@genealogicalstudies.com]

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