I agree that the most likely answer is that someone, perhaps in the Clerk’s office or perhaps a volunteer, at some point tried to “preserve” a deteriorating original. I agree with Douglas that true transcriptions should follow the original text and use the same line breaks and spellings [though I have to admit to giving up sometimes on idiosyncratic capitalization]. Unfortunately, past transcribers tended to simply “convert” the document with spelling “corrections,” disregard for line length and unflaggged fill-ins. In this situation, I think it makes sense to use your own judgment as to the probability of the gap-filling being accurate and just move forward with your own transcription. Good transcriptions are always easier to work with than original, because they become computer-searchable.
Jack Fallin
> On Jun 2, 2021, at 9:00 PM, VA-ROOTS automatic digest system <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>
> There are 6 messages totaling 668 lines in this issue.
>
> Topics of the day:
>
> 1. The UncommonWealth
> 2. 1728 Will (5)
>
> To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe, please see the instructions at
> https://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-roots.html
>
> This list is made possible by a grant from the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS).
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Date: Wed, 2 Jun 2021 09:12:54 -0400
> From: "Brooks, Vincent" <[log in to unmask]>
> Subject: The UncommonWealth
>
> The origins and long quest for freedom of the Northern Neck's Veney family
> is revealed in a chancery cause from Montgomery County. Read more in
> today's The UncommonWealth.
>
> https://uncommonwealth.virginiamemory.com/blog/2021/06/02/the-veney-family-of-the-northern-neck-sarahs-story/
>
> *Vincent T. Brooks*
> Senior Local Records Archivist
> Library of Virginia
> 800 East Broad St.
> Richmond, VA 23219
> 804-692-3525
> Fax 804-692-2277
> *The Uncommonwealth* <https://uncommonwealth.virginiamemory.com/>
>
> To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe, please see the instructions at
> https://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-roots.html
>
> This list is made possible by a grant from the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS).
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Date: Wed, 2 Jun 2021 13:14:46 -0400
> From: Douglas Burnett <[log in to unmask]>
> Subject: 1728 Will
>
> I have a question for my more experienced Virginia Researchers as I have
> run into a first of a kind situation.
>
> I am researching George Cox of Henrico County who died sometime between Feb
> 1727/8 and 21 May 1728 as determine by the date of the will and date it was
> proven from the image on the microfilm.
>
> The microfilm was on FamilySearch.org/records/Images and labeled
>
> Goochland. Will Records 1728 – 1742/Deed Books 1728 -1742—743 images.
>
>
>
> From Title Slide on the above Microfilm:
>
> Goochland County Virginia
>
> Deeds Etc NO.1
>
> With Wills Inventories Etc
>
> 1728 – 1734
>
>
>
> Image 16 of 743
>
>
>
> The copy of the record that was microfilmed had led a rough life and lots
> of bits and pieces missing.
>
>
>
> As I was working through the transcription I realized that I had a pdf file
> that was obtained from who knows where but was by the signature block
> obtained from the County Court as it was signed by the Deputy Clerk and was
> the same will I was working on.
>
>
>
> I started comparing microfilm to pdf and identifying differences. There was
> nothing on the Court House copy that would indicate that any of the
> original file was missing as it appeared to be a complete transcription.
>
>
>
> I was also surprised that the Court House would have a typed copy of a
> 1727/8 will which it would issue as an official copy. There is no date on
> the Deputy Clerks signature on what I will call the Court House copy.
>
>
>
> As I have been taught over the last 20 years of genealogy work a
> transcription is a letter by letter effort with all of the relevant
> spelling errors and punctuation as it is. Not up to the 21st Century to
> correct grammar of the 18th Century if you will. I do go one step further
> than some and make the line length of the transcription match the original
> so when someone wants to check, it is much easier to negotiate between the
> two documents.
>
>
>
> Any thoughts on how a Deputy Clerk for the County
>
> (1) would have a transcribed will from 1728
>
> (2) why there would be a number of differences between transcribed and
> original
>
> (3) why the County issued copy has no indication of pieces missing yet the
> microfilmed copy has significant chunks missing.
>
>
>
> Thanks in Advance
>
>
>
> --
> Douglas Burnett
> Satellite Beach
> FL
>
> To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe, please see the instructions at
> https://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-roots.html
>
> This list is made possible by a grant from the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS).
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Date: Wed, 2 Jun 2021 20:20:36 +0000
> From: Eric Grundset <[log in to unmask]>
> Subject: Re: 1728 Will
>
> Doug,
> I suspect that the typed versions of the earliest records were either done (perhaps) by people paid by the WPA in the 1930s, by approved volunteers, or by the clerk's staff when they had time decades ago and when typewriters with wide carriages existed. This is not uncommon to find among Virginia records, so there was some concerted effort to do this. Clearly, the idea was to save record books that were deteriorating. Who know what the knowledge base of these folks doing the transcriptions was and how well they could read the old handwriting? That is likely the reason for discrepancies.
> Perhaps someone else has a definitive explanation for this.
> Eric Grundset
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Douglas Burnett <[log in to unmask]>
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Sent: Wed, Jun 2, 2021 1:14 pm
> Subject: [VA-ROOTS] 1728 Will
>
> I have a question for my more experienced Virginia Researchers as I have
> run into a first of a kind situation.
>
> I am researching George Cox of Henrico County who died sometime between Feb
> 1727/8 and 21 May 1728 as determine by the date of the will and date it was
> proven from the image on the microfilm.
>
> The microfilm was on FamilySearch.org/records/Images and labeled
>
> Goochland. Will Records 1728 – 1742/Deed Books 1728 -1742—743 images.
>
>
>
> From Title Slide on the above Microfilm:
>
> Goochland County Virginia
>
> Deeds Etc NO.1
>
> With Wills Inventories Etc
>
> 1728 – 1734
>
>
>
> Image 16 of 743
>
>
>
> The copy of the record that was microfilmed had led a rough life and lots
> of bits and pieces missing.
>
>
>
> As I was working through the transcription I realized that I had a pdf file
> that was obtained from who knows where but was by the signature block
> obtained from the County Court as it was signed by the Deputy Clerk and was
> the same will I was working on.
>
>
>
> I started comparing microfilm to pdf and identifying differences. There was
> nothing on the Court House copy that would indicate that any of the
> original file was missing as it appeared to be a complete transcription.
>
>
>
> I was also surprised that the Court House would have a typed copy of a
> 1727/8 will which it would issue as an official copy. There is no date on
> the Deputy Clerks signature on what I will call the Court House copy.
>
>
>
> As I have been taught over the last 20 years of genealogy work a
> transcription is a letter by letter effort with all of the relevant
> spelling errors and punctuation as it is. Not up to the 21st Century to
> correct grammar of the 18th Century if you will. I do go one step further
> than some and make the line length of the transcription match the original
> so when someone wants to check, it is much easier to negotiate between the
> two documents.
>
>
>
> Any thoughts on how a Deputy Clerk for the County
>
> (1) would have a transcribed will from 1728
>
> (2) why there would be a number of differences between transcribed and
> original
>
> (3) why the County issued copy has no indication of pieces missing yet the
> microfilmed copy has significant chunks missing.
>
>
>
> Thanks in Advance
>
>
>
> --
> Douglas Burnett
> Satellite Beach
> FL
>
> To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe, please see the instructions at
> https://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-roots.html
>
> This list is made possible by a grant from the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS).
>
> To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe, please see the instructions at
> https://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-roots.html
>
> This list is made possible by a grant from the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS).
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Date: Wed, 2 Jun 2021 16:24:54 -0400
> From: Douglas Burnett <[log in to unmask]>
> Subject: Re: 1728 Will
>
> Thanks for the quick response.
> Do you know if there exist a list of Clerks/Deputy Clerks for the Counties
> in Virginia?
> Her name is:
> Margaret V. Henley
> Deputy Clark
> Circuit Court Goochland County
>
> Just never thought about the Court Staff doing this in an attempt to save
> the records.
>
> Doug
>
> On Wed, Jun 2, 2021 at 4:20 PM <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>
>> Doug,
>>
>> I suspect that the typed versions of the earliest records were either done
>> (perhaps) by people paid by the WPA in the 1930s, by approved volunteers,
>> or by the clerk's staff when they had time decades ago and when typewriters
>> with wide carriages existed. This is not uncommon to find among Virginia
>> records, so there was some concerted effort to do this. Clearly, the idea
>> was to save record books that were deteriorating. Who know what the
>> knowledge base of these folks doing the transcriptions was and how well
>> they could read the old handwriting? That is likely the reason for
>> discrepancies.
>>
>> Perhaps someone else has a definitive explanation for this.
>>
>> Eric Grundset
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Douglas Burnett <[log in to unmask]>
>> To: [log in to unmask]
>> Sent: Wed, Jun 2, 2021 1:14 pm
>> Subject: [VA-ROOTS] 1728 Will
>>
>> I have a question for my more experienced Virginia Researchers as I have
>> run into a first of a kind situation.
>>
>> I am researching George Cox of Henrico County who died sometime between Feb
>> 1727/8 and 21 May 1728 as determine by the date of the will and date it was
>> proven from the image on the microfilm.
>>
>> The microfilm was on FamilySearch.org/records/Images and labeled
>>
>> Goochland. Will Records 1728 – 1742/Deed Books 1728 -1742—743 images.
>>
>>
>>
>> From Title Slide on the above Microfilm:
>>
>> Goochland County Virginia
>>
>> Deeds Etc NO.1
>>
>> With Wills Inventories Etc
>>
>> 1728 – 1734
>>
>>
>>
>> Image 16 of 743
>>
>>
>>
>> The copy of the record that was microfilmed had led a rough life and lots
>> of bits and pieces missing.
>>
>>
>>
>> As I was working through the transcription I realized that I had a pdf file
>> that was obtained from who knows where but was by the signature block
>> obtained from the County Court as it was signed by the Deputy Clerk and was
>> the same will I was working on.
>>
>>
>>
>> I started comparing microfilm to pdf and identifying differences. There was
>> nothing on the Court House copy that would indicate that any of the
>> original file was missing as it appeared to be a complete transcription.
>>
>>
>>
>> I was also surprised that the Court House would have a typed copy of a
>> 1727/8 will which it would issue as an official copy. There is no date on
>> the Deputy Clerks signature on what I will call the Court House copy.
>>
>>
>>
>> As I have been taught over the last 20 years of genealogy work a
>> transcription is a letter by letter effort with all of the relevant
>> spelling errors and punctuation as it is. Not up to the 21st Century to
>> correct grammar of the 18th Century if you will. I do go one step further
>> than some and make the line length of the transcription match the original
>> so when someone wants to check, it is much easier to negotiate between the
>> two documents.
>>
>>
>>
>> Any thoughts on how a Deputy Clerk for the County
>>
>> (1) would have a transcribed will from 1728
>>
>> (2) why there would be a number of differences between transcribed and
>> original
>>
>> (3) why the County issued copy has no indication of pieces missing yet the
>> microfilmed copy has significant chunks missing.
>>
>>
>>
>> Thanks in Advance
>>
>>
>>
>> --
>> Douglas Burnett
>> Satellite Beach
>> FL
>>
>> To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe, please see the instructions
>> at
>> https://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-roots.html
>>
>> This list is made possible by a grant from the U.S. Institute of Museum
>> and Library Services (IMLS).
>>
>
>
> --
> Douglas Burnett
> Satellite Beach
> FL
>
> To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe, please see the instructions at
> https://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-roots.html
>
> This list is made possible by a grant from the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS).
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Date: Wed, 2 Jun 2021 17:15:31 -0400
> From: "Marilyn J. Jackson" <[log in to unmask]>
> Subject: Re: 1728 Will
>
> Hi,
>
> The transcription may have been done years ago for proof for a lineage
> society or in response to a query prior to photocopying. The will book
> may have been in better shape at that point. You might try going to
> Goochland County's website and see if they is a list of clerks of the
> court anywhere and see if the name appears on it.
>
> Marilyn Jackson
>
> On 6/2/2021 1:14 PM, Douglas Burnett wrote:
>> I have a question for my more experienced Virginia Researchers as I have
>> run into a first of a kind situation.
>>
>> I am researching George Cox of Henrico County who died sometime between Feb
>> 1727/8 and 21 May 1728 as determine by the date of the will and date it was
>> proven from the image on the microfilm.
>>
>> The microfilm was on FamilySearch.org/records/Images and labeled
>>
>> Goochland. Will Records 1728 – 1742/Deed Books 1728 -1742—743 images.
>>
>>
>>
>>> From Title Slide on the above Microfilm:
>>
>> Goochland County Virginia
>>
>> Deeds Etc NO.1
>>
>> With Wills Inventories Etc
>>
>> 1728 – 1734
>>
>>
>>
>> Image 16 of 743
>>
>>
>>
>> The copy of the record that was microfilmed had led a rough life and lots
>> of bits and pieces missing.
>>
>>
>>
>> As I was working through the transcription I realized that I had a pdf file
>> that was obtained from who knows where but was by the signature block
>> obtained from the County Court as it was signed by the Deputy Clerk and was
>> the same will I was working on.
>>
>>
>>
>> I started comparing microfilm to pdf and identifying differences. There was
>> nothing on the Court House copy that would indicate that any of the
>> original file was missing as it appeared to be a complete transcription.
>>
>>
>>
>> I was also surprised that the Court House would have a typed copy of a
>> 1727/8 will which it would issue as an official copy. There is no date on
>> the Deputy Clerks signature on what I will call the Court House copy.
>>
>>
>>
>> As I have been taught over the last 20 years of genealogy work a
>> transcription is a letter by letter effort with all of the relevant
>> spelling errors and punctuation as it is. Not up to the 21st Century to
>> correct grammar of the 18th Century if you will. I do go one step further
>> than some and make the line length of the transcription match the original
>> so when someone wants to check, it is much easier to negotiate between the
>> two documents.
>>
>>
>>
>> Any thoughts on how a Deputy Clerk for the County
>>
>> (1) would have a transcribed will from 1728
>>
>> (2) why there would be a number of differences between transcribed and
>> original
>>
>> (3) why the County issued copy has no indication of pieces missing yet the
>> microfilmed copy has significant chunks missing.
>>
>>
>>
>> Thanks in Advance
>>
>>
>>
>
> To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe, please see the instructions at
> https://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-roots.html
>
> This list is made possible by a grant from the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS).
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Date: Wed, 2 Jun 2021 17:23:05 -0400
> From: "Marilyn J. Jackson" <[log in to unmask]>
> Subject: Re: 1728 Will
>
> She is one of the founders of the Goochland Historical Society in 1968.
> Found an article with a picture by Googling
>
> On 6/2/2021 4:24 PM, Douglas Burnett wrote:
>> Thanks for the quick response.
>> Do you know if there exist a list of Clerks/Deputy Clerks for the Counties
>> in Virginia?
>> Her name is:
>> Margaret V. Henley
>> Deputy Clark
>> Circuit Court Goochland County
>>
>> Just never thought about the Court Staff doing this in an attempt to save
>> the records.
>>
>> Doug
>>
>> On Wed, Jun 2, 2021 at 4:20 PM <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>>
>>> Doug,
>>>
>>> I suspect that the typed versions of the earliest records were either done
>>> (perhaps) by people paid by the WPA in the 1930s, by approved volunteers,
>>> or by the clerk's staff when they had time decades ago and when typewriters
>>> with wide carriages existed. This is not uncommon to find among Virginia
>>> records, so there was some concerted effort to do this. Clearly, the idea
>>> was to save record books that were deteriorating. Who know what the
>>> knowledge base of these folks doing the transcriptions was and how well
>>> they could read the old handwriting? That is likely the reason for
>>> discrepancies.
>>>
>>> Perhaps someone else has a definitive explanation for this.
>>>
>>> Eric Grundset
>>>
>>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: Douglas Burnett <[log in to unmask]>
>>> To: [log in to unmask]
>>> Sent: Wed, Jun 2, 2021 1:14 pm
>>> Subject: [VA-ROOTS] 1728 Will
>>>
>>> I have a question for my more experienced Virginia Researchers as I have
>>> run into a first of a kind situation.
>>>
>>> I am researching George Cox of Henrico County who died sometime between Feb
>>> 1727/8 and 21 May 1728 as determine by the date of the will and date it was
>>> proven from the image on the microfilm.
>>>
>>> The microfilm was on FamilySearch.org/records/Images and labeled
>>>
>>> Goochland. Will Records 1728 – 1742/Deed Books 1728 -1742—743 images.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> From Title Slide on the above Microfilm:
>>>
>>> Goochland County Virginia
>>>
>>> Deeds Etc NO.1
>>>
>>> With Wills Inventories Etc
>>>
>>> 1728 – 1734
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Image 16 of 743
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> The copy of the record that was microfilmed had led a rough life and lots
>>> of bits and pieces missing.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> As I was working through the transcription I realized that I had a pdf file
>>> that was obtained from who knows where but was by the signature block
>>> obtained from the County Court as it was signed by the Deputy Clerk and was
>>> the same will I was working on.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> I started comparing microfilm to pdf and identifying differences. There was
>>> nothing on the Court House copy that would indicate that any of the
>>> original file was missing as it appeared to be a complete transcription.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> I was also surprised that the Court House would have a typed copy of a
>>> 1727/8 will which it would issue as an official copy. There is no date on
>>> the Deputy Clerks signature on what I will call the Court House copy.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> As I have been taught over the last 20 years of genealogy work a
>>> transcription is a letter by letter effort with all of the relevant
>>> spelling errors and punctuation as it is. Not up to the 21st Century to
>>> correct grammar of the 18th Century if you will. I do go one step further
>>> than some and make the line length of the transcription match the original
>>> so when someone wants to check, it is much easier to negotiate between the
>>> two documents.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Any thoughts on how a Deputy Clerk for the County
>>>
>>> (1) would have a transcribed will from 1728
>>>
>>> (2) why there would be a number of differences between transcribed and
>>> original
>>>
>>> (3) why the County issued copy has no indication of pieces missing yet the
>>> microfilmed copy has significant chunks missing.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Thanks in Advance
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> --
>>> Douglas Burnett
>>> Satellite Beach
>>> FL
>>>
>>> To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe, please see the instructions
>>> at
>>> https://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-roots.html
>>>
>>> This list is made possible by a grant from the U.S. Institute of Museum
>>> and Library Services (IMLS).
>>>
>>
>
> To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe, please see the instructions at
> https://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-roots.html
>
> This list is made possible by a grant from the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS).
>
> ------------------------------
>
> End of VA-ROOTS Digest - 30 May 2021 to 2 Jun 2021 (#2021-60)
> *************************************************************
To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe, please see the instructions at
https://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-roots.html
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