I have recently noticed that in the christening records for
several family member born in the early 1800s (Sumter Co)
that the middle name given was the surname of the
Godparents.

I memtion this because for quite some time I was trying to
find a family marriage associated with the middle names, and
sometimes I did find one. But eventually I found the church
records. In some cases the child was given the full name of
the Godparent. Giving long names was a practice that was
suppose to ensure long life, especially with sick children.
Strangely enough the child I saw with the longest name died
early and the Godparent she was named after died soon
afterwards. And in my own situation, I gave my oldest son a
long name (without knowledge of this long life idea), and as
an infant he died in my arms, but was revived. So, maybe
there is something to it.

Janet Nielson Jilote

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