Dolly, short for ............?

Jake Drummond · Post by **Jake Drummond** » Mon Dec 17, 2007 11:58 pm

Aye, another name to find was flung up in conversation 'tother night; this time it's my grandad's second wife's sister (bear with me!).
Grandad John Bain Gardner married Ethel Cooper, born in Shere, Surrey, and she had a sister everyone called Dolly, but though I've managed to find most of her siblings I can't see a Dolly among Ethel's sisters.
What was 'Dolly' short for? Any ideas?

LesleyB · Post by **LesleyB** » Tue Dec 18, 2007 12:01 am

Dorothy maybe?

Jake Drummond · Post by **Jake Drummond** » Tue Dec 18, 2007 12:09 am

Alice, Mary, Ellen, Lily and Evelyn are all I have Lesley, and I'm pretty sure I have all the girls names.
They were all born in Shere, though Grandad was a guid Scots laddie and moved south after my grandmother died, taking my mum with him, aged 5 at the time. Ethel brought my mother up as her own once they married, and it's her history I seek, but finding Dolly might find her son, though as yet I don't know if Dolly actually married....................(ahem).

Post by **Anne H** » Tue Dec 18, 2007 1:46 am

This site confirms Lesley's suggestion of Dorothy....or as you can see...Dolores
http://www.whatsinaname.net/php/search. ... mit=Submit

Regards,
Anne H

Post by **paddyscar** » Tue Dec 18, 2007 2:57 am

Hi Jake:

A girl in our neighbourhood was called Dolly, just because 'she looked like a doll'. Her name was Helen.

Frances

Post by **HeatherH** » Tue Dec 18, 2007 4:13 am

Hello Jake,
I use http://www.nireland.com/anne.johnston/Diminutives.htm and found Dolly is a diminutive for Dorothea. Dorothea, Dorothy – Dol, Dolly, Dora
But as Anne suggested it may have just been a pet name. My gran was called Cissy which is a diminutive of Cecilia but her name was Elizabeth. Think of it as just one more way our rellies found to make them even more elusive.

Merry Christmas,
Heather

Currie · Post by **Currie** » Tue Dec 18, 2007 5:36 am

My father’s cousin Arthur was called Dolly. (No idea why)

And here’s a quote from a book about James Madison, 4th President of the U.S.A.

“Madison was married from 1794 to Dorothea (Dolly) Payne Todd, a widow of considerable charm whose buxom figure was often compared with the slight frame of her 5ft 6in husband.”

Alan

Post by **SarahND** » Tue Dec 18, 2007 9:08 am

Hi Jake,
The only solution I can think of is to find her by process of elimination... Have you found any of the other sisters?
All the best,
Sarah

LesleyB · Post by **LesleyB** » Tue Dec 18, 2007 9:22 am

Hi Heather

My gran was called Cissy which is a diminutive of Cecilia but her name was Elizabeth.

I have someone in my tree with exactly the same pattern: named Elizabeth, known as Cissie. No logic to these things sometimes!

Best wishes
Lesley

Russell · Post by **Russell** » Tue Dec 18, 2007 10:55 am

Hi

If there was any Highland ancestry DOLINA is a firm possibility.

Russell