I was always told that I was named after my Grandpa “Chalk” (Charles) on my Dad’s side. My other Grandpa’s first name was Ervin. Hence my name Charles Ervin.
A friend has given me several Web sites to trace family history. One site consolidates all courthouse records prior to 1907. After 1907, you have to go to individual courthouses for detail on births, marriages, and deaths. After 1907, newspaper records can be informative.
I went back to confirm the birth record of Grandpa Chalk. I couldn’t find it. I searched every Charles born in 1898 in Wisconsin. Nothing! Then I got specific. I thought Chalk was born in Mukwonago, Wisconsin and the birth would have recorded in Waukesha Courthouse. Nothing! Years ago my Grandma Myrna gave me a thick Bible (very thick) from the mid-1850’s. In the center of the Bible were pages intended for the owner of the Bible to log significant family events. I noticed that the marriage of Myrna and Charley was carefully logged in the Bible pages. There was never mention of Charley. It was always Charles (nicknamed Chalk) and Myrna. I checked courthouse records and there it was: Charley.
So now the dilemma. I was named after my Grandfather Charles. His name was officially Charley. So what does that mean to me. Was I intended to be a “Charley”. I notice all the reference to Grandpa Chalk during his ownership years of the City Club was formally Charles. He may have preferred the name Charles.
I was named Charles after my Grandfather Charley. What the hell?
I am now into tracing my middle name Ervin after Grandpa Jiggs (allegedly Ervin). I can’t find any record in the courthouse documents. I can find his two sisters and brother Carl but no Ervin. Maybe Grandpa Ervin has a birth record with a different name or spelling. If I can’t find Ervin in official records, does that mean I have no middle name?
Interesting, meaningless stuff!
Love,
Just plain Charley (Dad)