Re: Karins surname variant of Kearns
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In reply to:
Karins surname, Albany Co., NY
4/16/98
Yes, Karins is a possible variant of Kearns. My family
line began using the Kearns spelling about 1880. Before that
it turns up as Currens, Currans, Karns, Karins, Karens
Kurns, Curns, Kerns, and others. If the person whose name
it was could not read or write or spell, then the
spelling was the choice of the person writing it down,
whether immigration official, clergyman, census agent
or policeman. Once the members of the family became
literate, each one chose one of the variants and passed
it on to his or her line.