Thursday 28 X, the MARK OF AN ILLITERATE ANCESTOR. ( or was it?)

-


I have several marriage certificates that show an X, in place of a signature, often for both parties and have assumed that they were both illiterate.   But you can be wrong. Sometimes, one would sign with an X, so as not to ‘show up’ the party, who couldn’t sign.  Check further, for other documents and you might be surprised.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Lost in DNA Weekend Part 1. (my 600th post)

-
Image
Now the title of this post might have you scratching your head and wondering, 'what is she going on about?'  But if you belong to the Society of Australian Genealogists,  https://www.sag.org.au/   you will know what I'm talking about. Twice a year the Society has 'Lost In' weekends, covering a wide range of topics, some are face-to-face and some are webinars. Both are great. This past weekend was held at the Portside Conference Centre, Sydney, on Saturday and Sunday. Some of the group, early on Saturday morning. The room was filled, both days. The topic for the weekend was DNA and whilst we aren't NCIS Agents, looking for a killer, we are still trying to find that elusive ancestor, who is just out of our reach. Or so they thought! Saturday was a warm, humid day in Sydney, just the sort of day you want, when digging for ancestors. The Society had put together a varied program, so that novices and experts were covered. Martyn Killion was our chair and sta
Read more

Transcription Agents.

-
Hi, As it is very wet both in NSW, Victoria and Queensland, genealogists just might spend their weekend doing research and ordering certificates. Below are the details of transcription agents, very useful people. Here in New South Wales (NSW), we have three transcription agents, Joy Murrin, Marilyn Rowan and Laurie Turtle. These wonderful people and save you money, when you want a certificate, to verify a birth, death or marriage. What, might you ask is a transcript? A transcript is an actual copy of a document, everything written on it. This is very helpful if you are looking for say a marriage and know they split-up. I have several transcripts of different marriages, where in the comments section is, decree absolute and a date, etc. or who gave permission, if the parties were under age. Joy Murrin , of Joy Murrin Family History Service, offers transcripts for NSW, Victoria, England and Wales, Scotland and New Zealand. http://www.joyinfamilyhistory.com/ Joy also offers parti
Read more

Two New Australian Authors.

-
Image
   Over the past few months I have been introduced to two new Australian authors. Louise Allan and Michelle. These ladies have both released their first novels this year and they are on the top of my MUST READ pile. Louise, lives in Western Australia, with her husband and four children and in her acknowledgements she says that the story has taken six years to write. Set in Tasmania, with a time span og seventy years, it is a story of two sisters, their relationship and music. Louise has a website, a wonderful blog and is on Facebook. https://louisejallan.com/                                               The blurb for The Sisters' Song. Michelle, also lives in Wertern Australia and is a consultant  Emergency Physician. Dustfall is set in Wittenoom, the town that was built on asbetos mining and where so many people contracted cancer. Set over a period of about thirty years, it is about two doctors and their connection to this place. Michelle gives
Read more