Genealogy Chat

can anyone tell what nell or nellie might be short for (in the early 1900). thanks. x

Christine, I've got a Nell on census who was born Ellen and died Helen, and another Nell who was born Helen and died Ellen.

Helen, Ellen or even Eleanor. Ellen X

thanks - will start with them. x

I agree, both Ellen or Helen.

Helen, Ellen Helena, Eleanor. My grandmother was known as Nell and first names were Louisa Helen. On the other hand my other grandmother was Ellen Louisa and was known as Lou. I also had an aunt Nell. She was Helena but appeared on the 1901 as Eleanor. Regards David

I think Nell or Nellie came about by reversing Ellen!

my aunt Nell was registered as Ellen. in 1898, so short a name i wondered why they changed it for everyday use,but have been told that her mum Elizabeth was called Ellie so they called my aunt, Nell ,as it Ellen was too much like mums shortened name Shirley

How about the following in my tree Christened Thomasin Harris. This is the last time I find it spelt like that. I have Thomaszon Thompson Mary Thomasgan Mary (again) Thomasson Happy hunting, David

My mother's given name was Ellen (born 1901), but she was always called Nellie Reg

We have recently received my ggrandmothers death cert which gives informant as Nellie Kirk (Daughter). As far as I know this wasn't a name given to any of her children most of whom were born in the 1880s/early 1890s. She died in 1920. The closest match would be my grandmother who I know to be in the same town as my gr grandma at that time, and she was called Mary Ellen. Do you think that this is a strong possibility to be known as Nellie? How common was it to have every other census record you as Mary Ellen, the death cert to be Mary Ellen, the birth cert to be Mary Ellen, her one illegimate's child birth cert to be Mary Ellen, then to call yourself Nellie? There are no other dau in laws that are called Ellen or Nellie either, as far as we can research. How frustrating! I don't know what else I can check that would give me an answer ..... Margaret

My husbands aunt was always known as Agnes what a surprise he got when we found out her name was Ellen. Margaret x

Just need that 1911 census to come out and she'll be called something completely different lol! Ah well, just have to wait and see what else comes out of the woodwork. Still waiting for her birth cert to arrive ..... got everything else within a week, this one is taking forever as she was born in a different county. Pah! M x