Ancestry release records of people who share the same name as our favourite Christmas characters
Christmas is just around the corner and with it comes the continuous replaying of Christmas classics and re-watching of Christmas movies, old and new, writes Breda Graham.
Afterall, it would not be Christmas without belting out a good rendition of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and watching The Santa Clause with a box of Cadbury’s Roses.
But it is our favourite festive characters that make Christmas what it really is.
Ancestry have taken it upon themselves to track down the people who share the same names as all our most loved characters.
In their most recent research, the global leader in family history, researched 20bn records and found numerous real-life festive names in historic records from Ireland and across the globe.
Names uncovered in the historic records included, Mr Claus, James Jingle, Mary Tree, Mary Song, William Christmas and James Wreath.
The research suggested that Mr Claus would have visited many towns in Co Galway as Thos Claus, which is recorded in the Ireland, Catholic Parish Records 1655 – 1915.
Although not known as Frosty, a Snowman called Albert did come to life one day in Middletown, Armagh during 1949 as documented in the Ireland, Civil Registration Births Index, 1864-1958.
As Christmas carols were flowing, there were also merry cheer thanks to a Mary Song in Tipperary. While busy in county Cork would have been Mary Tree decorating, and rocking around the Christmas tree.
There would have been jingling bells heard all the way from the house of James Jingle in 1873 in North Dublin.
And we’re sure Joseph Garland in Westmeath and James Wreath in Antrim houses were decorated in all their glory.
Family Historian with Ancestry, Mike Mulligan said: “Now with over 20bn records available online at Ancestry, there are some real festive names just waiting to be uncovered. The Christmas period is the perfect time to find these quirky names and search the records”.
Other Chritmas names from around the world include Mary Christmas from South Carolina, Mrs Belle Ringer of West Virginia and Miss L. Toe who appears in the All Calendar of New Jersey Wills, 1670-1760 in 1689.
Over 20bn records are available to browse online from Ancestry for those looking to find their festive family members this Christmas.
