It is and has been the law that the fashion in which one is identified and was/is to be known to be his act; be it, an X, a seal, a written signature with all or part of the name assigned early in life, an A.K.A., one's initials or even a pen name (Samuel Clemens was Mark Twain). It is the intention and purpose for which the mark was made, and not the mark itself that must be identifiable. Thus, in the question posed, the writer had a "TD" in his line, as do I, though those men were doubtless unrelated or even known to each other. In both instances, that symbol served their legal purposes - to reveal that the purpose for their marks was to manifest their intention to undertake whatever action they had done or performed. I suppose your own checking account is the simplest example; the bank will recognize and honor your symbol or letters, depending only upon what you designated to be placed on your checks when the account was opened, and at your fancy you may change even that. The exceptions to the rule being only that if you undertake some deception or criminality by the name or symbols you have used, that act may have legal ramifications. Paul -----Original Message----- From: Research and writing about Virginia genealogy and family history. [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Alice Campell Sent: Monday, April 30, 2007 12:16 AM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: [VA-ROOTS] Signing documents That's very interesting. I use different signatures for different things. Just my first and last for most things, my first, maiden, and last for others. For genealogy I use my I use my first, middle, maiden, and current last names. But it would never occur to me to sign something with an X. I have always assumed that a person who signed with an X was illiterate. I thought that one who was literate _had_ to sign his name. Am I totally off base here? Alice Campbell No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.467 / Virus Database: 269.6.2/780 - Release Date: 4/29/2007 6:30 AM No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.467 / Virus Database: 269.6.2/780 - Release Date: 4/29/2007 6:30 AM