Last Names First.and Some First Names Too

Discusses various kinds of personal names such as nicknames and names after marriage and describes how names changed as they traveled overseas and were passed down through generations

Grade 5-9 Each of the 12 brief chapters is filled with interesting facts about names and naming. The conversational writing style suits the topic well. The authors begin with a lively account of how the need for surnames was first recognized and how the names actually developed. Although they concentrate on the West, African and Eastern customs and names are also discussed. The checklist of steps to take in researching family names is well-organized and thorough. Anecdotal material discusses amusing nicknames, spies' code names, aliases and the way technology is effecting the use of names and numbers for personal identity. A dictionary of over 100 namesincluding the 50 most common surnames in the U.S.is appended. Black-and-white drawings appear sporadically throughout. Some succeed in highlighting humorous aspects of the text. The bibliography lists both magazine articles and books on geneology and names. Barbara S. Hazen's Last, First, Middle & Nick: All About Names (Prentice-Hall, 1979) covers similar ground, but is aimed at younger readers and presents less information than this book. Deborah Vose, Brooklyn Friends School Library,
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc.