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


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