Quondam Quandry

[darkerhorse]

When a church death record has the parents of the deceased listed as "quondam" "father's name" and "mother's name", is it likely that both were deceased or just the father? In other words, If both parents were deceased would the word quondam be repeated before the second name?

[AngelaGrace56]

It depends really. The Latin word quondam just means “formerly” or “at one time”, so it can be used to indicate singular or plural depending on what comes before it, or what other information is given. If it says, for example, “delli quondam” then it would be referring to both parents being deceased. Sometimes, however, you may see the abbreviations “qm “(the m is raised slightly) or “qqm” (again the m is raised slightly) In this case “qm” is singular and qqm is plural. Church records arn’t as straightforward as Civil Records because there wasn’t any set format for them and it was just up to the priest to record what and how he wanted to. What I would do is post the records you have and let us look at them for you. It’s the best way. That way you can be sure.

(Note: There are also other ways of abbreviating the word quondam, but generally it is “qm” or even just a “q” somestimes “quand” or “qdm” etc. You might like to search our site here for many varied examples of Church records.)


Angela

[darkerhorse]

Thanks for replying to my quondam quandry query.

I just realized the deceased was 76 years old, so I'm sure both parents were deceased by then.