Nickname

Nicknames are interesting, and in my family history software Family Historian there is a place to record it. I choose not to use this field for recording what we would ordinarily think of as a nickname, but the name that a person is known by, so, I am Christine, but go by Chris, and that is what I record in the Nickname field, even though there 'is' a field for Given Name Used (perhaps one day I'll change it).

In some cases, such as for my German ancestors, they were given a Baptismal first name, (so all the sons in the family 'may' be known as Joseph), but they went by their middle name, and that is also what I record as a nickname.

Some, like mine are understandable: Alf for Alfred, Alan for William Alan, Jack for John, Jim for James, Harry for Henry, Peggy for Margaret, Bob for Robert, Ted for Edward, Tom for Thomas, Tony for Anthony, and Will or Bill for William.

Others are unfathomable: Aileen for Martha Henrietta, Angarrak for John, Angus for Robert, Belita for Elizabeth Anne, Biddy for Rosemary, Bro for George Ambrose, Buck for William, Bud for George Albert, Bunny for Alfred Baird, Cherry seemed to be used for Margaret Agnes, Alice May and Charity, Cobber is a very Australian sounding one used for Allen Robert, the Curlew Kid, Curly for Kenneth, Daisy for Sarah, Dolly for Dorothy is understandable, but also for Mary Evelena, Margaret, Olive Grace and Doris,  Erik for James, Foye for Hettie, Lovey for Florence Emma, Milly for Ida Mary and Malvina, Mousie for Blanch Virginia, Pee for Patience, Polly for Mary Ann, Mary Helen, Pauline Rosemary, & Frances Amy, Pudge for Charles Arthur, Tex for Harry, Tinnie for Lucinda (use for all the Lucinda's in a particular banch), Vera for Shirley Mae, and Wizzard for William Albert.

My own son has been known as Sox by his mates, but everyone else calls him Marc. I guess the best thing is to record what I know (with sources), and leave it up to the reader to make their own decisions on the name.