Peer, he was born at a time when most parents had no education, so names were written on legal documents (like birth certificates) phonetically. His name was written on his birth certificate as "Denus", which is the way it was pronounced, though English speakers later would refer to him by the English equivalent of "Dennis". For me that would be like called a "Pierre" as "Peter", so I always use the way it was written on his birth certificate and the way I knew it was supposed to be pronounced.

I agree. Interestingly enough, his family knew him as "Dennis"; well enough to put that name on his gravestone.

http://image1.findagrave.com/photos/2009/71/7099769_123698934109.jpg

WF

Not really, Wade, he was my great grandfather, and he was always referred to by "Denus" by all I knew, including Gerry. I think they just went along with the spelling that had become accepted over the years. Kind of like Balfa and Bolfa.

And I guess what I'm saying is regardless of how it is spelled, the people that knew him called him "Denus".

Thanks Bryan.

The patron saint of Paris, France is St Denis (Dyonisius).
My sister's name is Denise. In French, these are the correct spellings of both names. But whether it's Dennis, Denis or Denus, we all know who he was. A great- grandfather to be poud of.
Thanks for the info and I'm looking forward to the film.

Thanks, Peer, just another clue that his name wasn't Dennis.