Dittos and Effers in the Inventory

steer-heiferSometimes one is tempted to “transcribe” a document by writing what is meant instead of what is written. That’s not transcription.

The three items in this inventory should be transcribed:

  • To 3 Cows
  • To 2 Ditto
  • To a Steer & Effer

If you want to make it more clear:

 

  • To 3 Cows
  • To 2 Ditto [Cows]
  • To a Steer & Effer [Heifer]

but not:

 

  • To 3 Cows
  • To 2 Cows
  • To a Steer & Heifer

Here the intent is clear. Sometimes it is not. Your initial interpretation may not be correct on one of those more difficult to read records and if you rely on that incorrect transcription you may be creating research headaches for yourself.