PIATT-L Archives

From: "Sharolynn Pyeatt" <>
Subject: Born in New York, France or Germany
Date: Mon, 15 Nov 2004 17:51:46 -0700

The surname PIAT (with one "t") can be found throughout France. For the
frequency with which it appears, interested parties might want to check
out the following website.



http://www.notrefamille.com/v2/services-nom-de-famille



Then search for "Piat" in the "nom de famille." You can search for
various time periods since 1891 to 1990.



When one sees how answers to birthplace can vary from one census to
another, it really becomes apparent just how important the phrasing of
questions can be. The response could vary based upon how the census
taker phrased his/her question. For example, "Where did you come from?"
could be interpreted as where did you live before you located at this
address, not "where were you born."



Even responses to the more direct question "where were you born" may
vary. In some instances, county and state lines have shifted over time.
So "Virginia" might be the correct response in one census, but in the
very next census, the response might be "West Virginia." West Virginia
may not have existed when the previous census was taken, so Virginia was
the correct answer in the first census.



It should also be remembered that country boundaries in Europe also
shifted quite a bit-particularly in the 19th century. Germany
experienced the "wars of unification" where small city-states merged
(not always by choice) with others to form larger geographical entities.
Wars between countries also caused shifts. Control of the border area
between France and Germany now known as Alsace-Lorraine shifted with
every war between the two countries. Alsace, so spelled when controlled
by France, was known as Elsass when controlled by Germany. Likewise, we
have Lorraine (France) which was also known as Lothringen (Germany).
The Austro-Hungarian Empire covered a lot of territory, but in the early
1900's it was reduced to basically Austria as ethnic groups fought for
and gained their independence. Italy did not exist as a country in the
18th century and was working out the details of its national boundaries
well into the 19th century. Poland is another area which was always
under someone else's control and only became an independent state after
World War I.



So, the answer "France" in one census and "Germany" in another may not
be inaccurate. Rather it may be an indication that control of their
birthplace had shifted from one country to the other in the years
between the two censuses. The variation might also allow a researcher
to narrow their geographic search within the country of origin. With
the variation in answers, one might assume that the individual was born
near a border area between France and Germany, thus eliminating the need
to search throughout all the rest of France and/or Germany for your
ancestor.



I still have more North/South Carolina stuff to post, but it will have
to wait awhile longer.



Good luck to you all!



Sharolynn Pyeatt

Orem, UT 84097

This thread:

• Born in New York, France or Germany by "Sharolynn Pyeatt" <>