At  Friday  23-01-09  08:25 AM, Tom Gilmore wrote:
*********START OF ORIGINAL MESSAGE TEXT*********
>Ted,
>
>  Your last question is easy:  Yes, when we are transcribing from a primary
>source we must record what is written. (Period)

ABSOLUTELY!!!!!  You record exactly what is written!

>  The whole idea of transcribing is to "reproduce" the text,  thus it is is
>wrong to record "Geo" as George.   There are pretty much standard ways to
>handle unreadable text, scribbles, blurs, etc. and many transcribers use
>attached notes if they want to offer suggestions or explanations, or some
>who can't resist the temptation may write  "Geo[rge]" if they are concerned
>the abbreviation is confusing, but  If you want an editorialized or
>abstract  version, the better transcribers will  declare it so, but will
>never insert a complete word for an abbreviation found in the original.
>
>As for reliablity of the given name abbeviations,  they are probably a bit
>more reliable than the spelling.
>
>Thos. Gilmore, aka Tom
(snip)

Then, you make Notes.  Your genealogy database program DOES allow
you to make Notes, doesn't it?

Sarge
(Hopes and Dreams are worthless; what is, is.)

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