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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Ted Delaney
Archivist & Curator
Old City Cemetery Museums & Arboretum
Lynchburg, Virginia
(434) 847-1465
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