From Rootsweb

[Guest Guest]

The following came from my Rootsweb newsletter. Hope it helps someone:

TIPS FROM READERS. Deciphering Sloppy, Old handwriting

Thanks to: Gene Ann Duyck mtdvol@msn.com

 

"I have been building a chronological Excel file of the MAGETTE/MAGET/

MAJETT surname in Surry and Southampton counties of Virginia, and

Northampton and Hertford counties of North Carolina, trying to prove the

father of my 2g-grandfather, Arthur C. MAGET/ MAGETT who was born ca

1812.

 

In the process, I've looked at the censuses for MAGETs with whom I was

not previously familiar. When I had trouble reading the different

surname of a member of the household, I used the index to look up what I

thought it said. Then I looked for the same census page number and given

name. At least now I know how another person deciphered the name (and it

was one which I had seen previously in the county, so it was most likely

correct)."

 

[logcabinmama]

Thank you Fran. We really need to be reminded that names could have different spelling than what we think. I know there are several ways to spell our name.