Genealogy Chat

What do you think - German, Russian? A Thomas Edroff was witness at my GGFx3 marriage in 1830 in Stepney, along with Mary Hanson GGF.x3 sister. A few years on Mary and Thomas Edroff also married. Ive done a blanket search of ancestry and there are very few of these Edroffs around. Ive also had a look on the IGI and not one comes up before 1800.

I am wondering if it's a spelling or pronunciation variation of another name. I did a soundex search on the Parish and Probate Records. The most common result was Edropp and Edroppe. Most were in Lincolnshire and Huntingdonshire. Earliest record was 1560. Maybe when written the pp was mistaken for ff. Hope that helps. Rose

Heather all the Edroff's on the family search site are from London/Middlesex. Georgina.

Yes, I am beginning to think they must be immigrants of some sort - all in the East End. Perhaps Scandanavian. Rose, I wondered if the two fs could have been two s's at some point, but then I thought there should be SOME with the two ss still. Two p's are a possibility though. Thanks for your input peeps.

A family live in this area (Cumbria) with the name of Egloff--could sound the same if you say it quick! They moved here from Austria.

Heather Is there an occupation, as that might give you a clue. Olde Crone

No fraid not. I only have him as a witness at GGFx3 marriage and then his own marriage (Pallots). Ive found a couple of Edroffs in the 1871 (but not him) living in Stepney/Shoreditch area. One is a musician, one has a coffee shop and one is an engineer. The other sister of James married a German baker, so I guess a possibility there - matches in with the Austrian theme?

Heather I have seen a thread on here, ages ago, about German Sugar Bakers - might help? I wonder if they could possibly be Jewish - from Austria maybe (which is where, in my mind anyway, all musicians come from!) Olde Crone

According to National Statistics as at the year 2002 a total of 24 people had the name EDROFF giving the name a ranking of 80577 in order of popularity. (Smith ranked no.1) Nice easy name to do a one name study of. Ray Whincup

You could try the Guild of One Name Studies. www( .)one-name(.)org(.)uk/ remove brackets Diane

Many thanks everyone. I always appreciate everyones input, it can make things so much clearer. Dont think he can be Jewish - was my first thought for some reason - as he was married in a church (Pallots entry, no info). Though I suppose people lapsed even then. I am inclining towards the old German theory now. The wife's sister married a German baker and so its possible this guy may have known him. He must have died pretty young as he doesnt appear in the 1851. Roll on 1841 by Easter, eh? Yes, it would be a really interesting one name search wouldnt it. He isnt direct or blood but still an interesting project for rainy days, eh. Bless you all, bed now and only 5.5 hours sleep again. No wonder I have bags (sacks) under my eyes.