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Archiver > DENMARK > 2002-03 > 1015374575


From: Rockne Johnson <>
Subject: [DK] Surname Research
Date: Tue, 05 Mar 2002 17:29:35 -0700
References: <12e.d7f95a6.29b6a0ed@aol.com>
In-Reply-To: <000f01c1c4a1$dd4a5720$2190613f@pavilion>


Hi Sue,

I followed with interest your letters to the DENMARK list. Did anyone
point out to you that Schou/Schov is a variant spelling of the more common
Skov, meaning "woods"? The spelling of Danish words with "ch" instead of
"k" came in and out of fashion with the popularity of Germany. This was
heavily influenced by the outcome of wars with the Prussians. I know that
there are times and places where surname research will work in Denmark but
at most times and in most places it doesn't.

Skov, like Woods, can be a very common name in Danish as in English. A
more direct English cognate is SHAW, an older English word for woods.

You may be better served if you consider that your Schou ancestors at some
point used patronyms, last names that changed from generation to generation.

Rock


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