Hi Ted
I can't speak for other folks, but when I transcribe a record with an abbreviated first name like Jas. of Jos.
I type it out Jas. ( James? ) or Jos. ( Joseph? ) to question if that is the correct name or not. But I also try to locate other records to try to confirm the name. And when I can confirm the name through other records, I then remove the question mark from the record in question, because other records confirmed the first name.
I hate it when records have abbreviations, drives me nuts. When I am transcribing census records, and all they have is initials, I will list it like it is stated, but make a note of who I know that person to be from using other records. I think it is pretty much a personal choice if you make a notation of what you believe the name should be or know what the name is. Some believe in transcribing the record exactly as it is, with no notations of your own.
I do make notations with the transcription, not only to remind me who that person was, but so others would know who that person was.
G. S. Lock has little meaning to me, but George Simon Lock as a notation by me, because other records clearly give his name, helps me remember who is on that record, and it helps others who may view that transcription, know who that person is. Abbreviations and initials drives me nuts, and if I can document who that person was, and be very certain what the true name was, I have no issues with making a side notation of who I know that person to be.
Jas. = James in most cases
Jos. = Joseph in most cases
Geo = George in most cases
Joh = John in most cases
But to prove it, means finding other records to support that one record. All through out my census transcriptions that I place on my web site, I transcribe the name as best as possible, then using multiple other records when possible, when I discover the true name, I will go back and edit the transcription and make a note of who I know that person to be. It helps me, and it helps visitors who read my transcriptions know who that person was.
So when I see Geo. Lock I will transcribe it just as I read it: Geo. Lock ( George Lock ) that little notation also makes your transcription unique because of your notation which isn't in the original record. So if you then share your transcription with others, and it gets passed around, which they always do on the internet, because of certaion notations with in your transcription, you will know it originally came from you.
You would be surprised at how many of my own transcriptions are used as sources and are emailed back to me, not knowing it was me who made that originial transcription lol. I know my own transcriptions, because of my many notations. For me for my web site, it is vital to make things as clear as possible. G. S. Lock or Geo. S. Lock can be many different people, but when I make a notation that it is ( George Simon Lock ), visitors who then read the transcription, then know that I know exactly who that person is. So each case is different, some feel a transcription should be exactly word for word, with no notations. I feel it is ok to make notations if you have done your homework to prove who that person is.
Just my 2 cents worth.
Donald Locke
----- Original Message -----
From: "Ted Delaney" <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
Sent: Thursday, January 22, 2009 11:15:31 AM GMT -07:00 US/Canada Mountain
Subject: [VA-HIST] Given Name Abbreviations
I'm curious what the prevailing opinion is about the reliability and consistency of given name abbreviations in 18th- and 19th-century Virginia documents.
For example, does "Jas" always mean "James"?
Can "Jos" mean anything other than "Joseph"?
If we are transcribing names from a primary source of that period, is it wrong to record "Geo" as "George"? Are there professional or ethical standards about this?
Many thanks,
Ted
**********************************
Ted Delaney
Archivist & Curator
Old City Cemetery Museums & Arboretum
Lynchburg, Virginia
(434) 847-1465
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