Genealogy Chat

I have found my William RUSSELL and family in Portchester, all transcribed as RUPELL, because the old-fashioned double-S looks a bit like [fs], where the f is the full top-to-bottom sweep - so altogether, it looks a bit like a lower-case P. I spotted a number of others, too. - Christine

I've reported a few mistranscriptions too. Shehherd for Shepherd and Sherill for Shevill. Easy done, no complaints. They are very good at adding the alternative names so might I suggest that we keep a look out for them I'm not having much luck finding my names so far. Jackie x

I've found lots of names that begin with S have been mistranscribed as T. I've also found Ch mistranscribed as Th. If only they'd filled the damn forms in CAPITAL LETTERS without any of the frills and curlicues, it would be much easier to read. I saw a whole folio on microfilm at the FRC recently which was beautifully neat, very flowing lettering, but it was impossible to even tell if I'd put the film in upside down as it was very difficult to decipher. nell

Christine This is the 'long S syndrome' - first noticed by me when trawling a register and wondering what kind of daft name Mops and Crops were! Also beware capital 'L' and 'S' - frequently confused, leading people to think their humble ancestors were Lawyers not Sawyers. Olde Crone

These bits of info look too useful to be lost, so I'm nudging. Christine PS - when will GR set up a Best Tips storage area so we don't need to nudge? Could be by category: census, BMD, transcription interpretation probs, and so on

Great idea Christine!!

Christine, Good that you have worked that out! What do you reckon about a double RR as in surname Barry? what could that be down as???? Suggestions gratefully accepted!!! Thanks Victoria

my TUDGE ancestors are a nightmare. The name is fairly common in one town but in 1901 there is only one in the index. Learnt to be more creative with the spelling now. Generally found as Judge, Sudge, Ludge even Fudge, I have also found the 'u' transcribed'ie' meaning several indexed as Tiedge. no soundex can cope!! netti

Victoria I suppose a lower-case script R could look like an N? I guess it's down to trying to imagine how the errors could arise. You can also get round it, preferably with uncommon-ish remaining names, by dropping the first or last name and putting in the other criteria - or some of them - &/or with wildcards. Trouble with Ancestry wildcards is that you need at least three letters first. Christine

Christine, Thanks for your suggestion. It is a fortunate person who has an unusual surname they are looking for. Barry is very common.....I pity the people looking for surname Smith. victoria

Just found my first ss on 1851. On the same page is the delightful name of Herrenhappuck E Hornegold. Guess what? That IS what the image says! I wish she was one of mine.

I'll add, how easy it is to make such mistakes. Doing look ups for other people, I found myself making some classic errors. Rollipons Yard - Rollissons Rollis - Pollie! John Bos. Lock - John Bostock I thought (modestly!) that I was quite good at old handwriting, and it can be straight forward on home territory, with names you know, but reading handwriting in unfamiliar records can be a minefield.

I am lucky in having a fairly unusual rellie to look for - but the spelling of his name 'Sainthill' varies considerably. I've found him as Senthill, Senthell, Sentill, St Hill, etc, but also, following this thread, as 'Tainthill', and, the dear old bean, Lentill'. :) Rosi'

time for another nudge, I think! especially for those who feel there aren't enough genuine Tips here! Christine