At  Thursday  22-01-09  01:29 PM, Margaret Kerr Beckwith wrote:
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>Ted,
>
>I personally believe that we should always use the full given name.  I think 
>that the abbreviations such as you mention have caused all genealogists/family 
>historians angst for years!
>
>Margaret Kerr Beckwith
>
>----- Original Message ----- From: "Ted Delaney" <[log in to unmask]>
>To: <[log in to unmask]>
>Sent: Thursday, January 22, 2009 1:15 PM
>Subject: [VA-ROOTS] 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
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When citing Census Records, type in the name EXACTLY as entered in the 
Census!!!!!

In your database Notes, make an entry as to what the name actually was, or what 
you
think it was.

DON'T try to "guess" what the name actually was.  If it says "Jno.", make a 
Note
saying you "think" that was "John" or "Jonathan" of so-and-so's family.

Again, if the Census Record says "Geo.", then record it in you database as 
exactly
that, and make a Note saying you "believe" that "Geo." is the same as the 
"George"
you have in your database with the same dates.

Sarge

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