Topic: Changing Names

My GGGF’s birth is shrouded in mystery. Baptised in 1820 as Thomas Darchy, son of Thomas Darchy and Amey Maude Philipse. But was that the original spelling? No record can be found of the earlier Thomas or his marriage. Statements about his father and also the witness to the baptism appear false – Dr. Alexander Broadfoot, an impecunious Army doctor on half-pay, said he was “Herr Alexander Johannes Wilhelm Bradford, landowner of London” which he patently was not (!).

Thomas Darchy arrived in Australia in 1840, married and produced a family of nine. In time a couple of his son’s wives decided they liked the French spelling of the surname better, and all subsequent generations became d’Archy. Until today in a computerised business world where Darchy is far easier to type quickly!

In addition, members of my early Darchy family seemed to be in the habit of changing their first names. Not legally, but within common usage. It is not clear if some of the nicknames grew within the family itself or were bestowed by others or simply adopted by the individual. All seemed bent on changing their name away from Thomas!

The most extreme perhaps was my GGF who was baptised Joseph Kevin Darchy. Born in 1854 on a remote outback cattle station, he was probably baptised by the first priest to visit the district – who happened to be a Roman Catholic of the old school. Some of his brothers and sisters were subsequently baptised by another priest but given conventional names; others were baptised Church of England. At any rate my GGF was always known formally as Francis and informally as Frank.

One of his sons was baptised Thomas Eckiboon/Eccaboon/Echabon Darchy b. 1882, the middle name apparently coming from a nearby property. He was always known not as Tom, but as Dick, perhaps to distinguish him from his grandfather and uncle. In some records his surname became Darchie/Darcie. Strangely it was seldom Darcy.

His brother FritzEdward b. 1885 was variously known as “Son” within the family and “Ted” to everyone else. Again possibly to distinguish him from an elder uncle.

One of Francis’ brothers was George Thomas Darchy b.1864. Apparently he hated the name George and was always known as “Tim”.

Other brothers William, Michael and Louis managed to retain their original names! As did their 3 sisters.

Only one grandson – son of Michael – was always known by his first name Thomas. In all there were six Thomases within 3 generations. Perhaps not so unusual for those times. But confusing for the researcher …