Tuesday, May 21, 2013

What Did the W Stand For?

My great grandmother, Luanna W. Henderson, was born in 1875 in Strange Creek, Nicholas County, West Virginia.  "Lewie" married my great grandfather, Homer Newton Houghton, at the age of 18 and lived her life on a picturesque if remote farm caring for her 12 children. Despite a trail of indicators that her middle initial was W, I've never learned what it stood for.  

Below are six sources that use "W" as a middle initial.  The only other initial used is H - presumably for her maiden name Henderson (e.g. on her tombstone: Lewie H. Houghton).
 

1.) 1880 Census - Luanna W. age 4, this census is very difficult to read (ancestry.com).  Appears to use "W." as a middle initial.  Also appears to have another letter at the end of Luanna.
2. ) West Virginia reindex of the Marriage Register (typed) uses W. as a middle initial. (http://www.wvculture.org/vrr/va_select.aspx)  1893
3.) Daughter Vada Houghton's Tombstone: Vada Daughter of HN and LW Houghton. 1919
4.) Son Murrill Houghton's Tombstone: Murrill son of HN and LW Houghton.  1934
5.) Husband Homer Houghton's WWI Draft Registration: "Lewie W." 1918 (below)
6.) Obituary: Luanna W. Houghton, 1938


  




Family name?  Could the W stand for a family name? My best guess to date is that it's Wilson. Luanna's maternal grandmother was Alcinda Wilson, born in 1823. Also, Luanna has a brother and uncle that use the name Walker as a given name. There are lots of Walker's in the area but  I have not found this family name anywhere in the family tree which only goes back to the 1700s.

I will continue my search.
Till next time, keep the blue side up ... Lynn 

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