AboutJessica Hacken Expertise I have extensive research experience in Scotland, Canada (both English and French-speaking), England, Wales (I have some Welsh language experience), France, the U.S, and Jamaica.
I am the owner of Arbor Genealogy, research/lecutring business, and am a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists.
Experience I have B.A.s in Family History/Genealogy and French. Besides a professional, I'm an advid hobbiest and am always willing to help people out with their research. I've also been a library assistant, so I know the ins and outs of research.
Expert: Jessica Hacken Date: 7/16/2008 Subject: How far back...
Question My full name is Joseph George Dendinger III. But the problem comes in when I know that I should at least be the 5th. The reverse listing of Joseph GEORGE Dendingers goes: Myself, My father, My grandfather, My great-grandfather, My great-great-grandfather. My great-great-great-grandfather was named Joseph Dendinger, but I can find no listing of his middle name or the names of anyone past him. While I know that names in succession do not always follow the numbered pattern (i.e. Joseph George has Joseph George Jr. who in turn has Joseph George III) I would still like to know which Joseph George Dendinger I am (as well as which one my son is)
As far as geographical locations go, I know that the last name is french/german (i believe we are of the french origin), as far as I can go back is my great-great grandfather lived in Louisiana.
Can you help me?
Answer Joseph -
According to the Dictionary of American Family Names, Dendinger is an altered spelling of German Dentinger, a habitational name for someone from Dentingen near Riedlingen, Württemberg. More research would be needed to see the French connection.
As for the numbering, I suppose technically you would be JGD V. I am assuming your family used the "moving up" method of numbering where when the Sr. passes away, the jr. becomes the new Sr. which could explain why you are the III and not the V.Often older generations did not use middle names. Since your ggggrandfather didn't have George as a middle name, the numbering can't go past him. Is the III listed on your birth certificate? If it's not officially part of your name you could start using the V instead of the III if you like.
