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Archiver > RHEA > 1997-09 > 0873925414


From: Honi Jo <>
Subject: Re: Rhea and variant spellings
Date: Wed, 10 Sep 1997 15:03:34 -0600


Cara Franklin wrote:
>
> At , you wrote:
> >At 11:52 AM 9/9/97 -0500, you wrote:
> >>Some of you seem to have considerable information on these families. Is
> >>there any known connection between the Rhea, Ray, Rea and Wray families or
> >>anyother spellings ?
> >>
> >>Fred Preston
>
> Hi Fred,
>
> I am new on this list, but in my own family, I have Grizzel Wray, b abt
> 1698, she has a brother mentioned in her husband's will named Charles Ree.
> Later other family members married persons out of this same line. They
> spell their name Ray.
>
> I think it has to do with the time period; the melting pot; there was not a
> common alphabet, or language yet. People couldn't necessarily read or
> write (ie: the William Allison Will I sent yesterday. The spelling is not
> my error). Errors of court clerks who spelled it like it sounded, which
> seemed to be acceptable at that time. Example: the soundex index.
> Also in later years, census takers who may have been in a very big hurry or
> didn't ask for the spelling of the name. All of this information simply
> comes from my speculation, by viewing my own genealogy.
>
> Another view is that my family were strong Presbyterians, Covenanters, I
> think. They probably came to the Colonies to escape persecution of the
> English. Maybe a little change in the spelling of the name would make them
> more acceptable in the English Colonies??
>
> Anyway, I hope you will accept REE as another variant of the name, and be
> gentle with these pioneers and patriots who were struggling to survive in a
> new land.
>
> I would be interested in hearing other opinions and facts. I am beginning
> to learn history through my own Genealogy. I don't know much, I'm open to
> education.
>
> You can see my 3 variant spellings under my GEDCOM Webpage at the ulster
> url below.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Cara Franklin
> Allison/Franklin Researcher
>
> GATHERING OF THE ALLISON CLAN
> http://www.allison-clan.com
> FRANKLIN/ALLISON GENEALOGY
> http://www.ulster.org.uk/genealogy/franklin/persons.html
>
> Cara Franklin
> Allison/Franklin Researcher
>
> GATHERING OF THE ALLISON CLAN
> http://www.allison-clan.com
> FRANKLIN/ALLISON GENEALOGY
> http://www.ulster.org.uk/genealogy/franklin/persons.html
I don't know why we shouldn't accept your spelling, we have everything
else under the sun. I can't believe how many Ray, Rhea etc. families
there are. and we are all trying really hard to find the connection
that will get us back a little farther. We have groups and sub groups
and researchers trying to break each brick wall that stops us on farther
connections. I hope you find a place with us and find some body that
you can link with, or maybe just a good friend or two, we can all use
that. A little support is what most of us need in our quest.
I am searching John Rhea Sr, b 1760 marr Febra Northcross
John Rhea Jr b 1804 marr Lucy Anderson
Sterling Rhea born 1827 marr Samantha McAnally
George Rhea b 1857 marr Mahalia Gilliam
Amanda Rhea b 1888 marr TL Johnson

Good luck to you.

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