I don't think it'd be odd for the initials to be in the centre, for that time period .... they were proud of their monograms. Often times it was on pillow case edges, and other linens, in full display. Also the centre initial as the last name, was usually larger, more pronounced, though with the little "c" I vote for the last name ... so that'd bring you to NJNc for the initials now.

Also, for olden times, the maiden name was not uncommonly used as the lady was yet to be married and was making things to use at the time. So considerations to the maiden names might be made.

Names often did get changed ... hiding from familial ties was one. Also, how it was entered into Census Records and as already mentioned your entry point at Ellis Island. So it really isn't a stretch that it was Nc .... and from that other link, looks like they may have got changed from Nc to Mc too!

Oh we have many sleuths thinking this through!

Sometimes monograms have the initial for the last name in the middle. So it may be NJN, rather than NNJ.

Right side up -

get it appraised by a certified appraiser.

Thank you for turning this around. I didn't know how to do it. I am so appreciative of all you ideas.

Whew! I was getting tired of standing on my head! :0)

Interesting. Wouldn't it be neat to talk to the maker. It does look like FNN unless you look at the date and that little c. Quite the little mystery.

I thought it was "FNN", then realized it was upside down, so must be a the F must be a J, or perhaps a T. Looks like a monogram, so probably represents the initials of the recipient of the quilt. The initial in the middle would be the surname (last name ititial).

Perhaps it belonged to someone who married into the family - the surname the center intial represents could be a maiden name.

In the olden days didn't they abbreviate first names sometimes? Like writing William as Wm. Maybe the middle is the first name. As they say 'tis a mystery!' LOL