Record copies of deeds and wills at the local courthouse infrequently contain a “replica” of your signer’s signature. What you see is simply the clerk’s transcription of the document and of the signature. If your ancestor made a mark that was different from an “X,” the clerk may have tried to replicate that, but a signature that appears to match the script of the document most likely means that you are looking at a record copy of the document and not your ancestor’s actual signature. It is rare to have an ancestor actually write out his own documents.
Leave a Reply Cancel reply
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
Recent Posts
- The Hardest Name to Get Wrong
- Really Starting Over?
- Happy Holidays from Genealogy Tip of the Day
- How Is It Organized?
- Separated but Never Divorced
- Do You Have the Only Copy?
- Confirm the Years Actually Included
- The Family Reunion Notice in the Newspaper
- What Have You Reviewed Lately?
- When Estimating a Date
- At a California Motel
- Old Photos of Family Ephemera
- Reminders from a Class Will
- Do You Use the Hints?
- When to Cite a Specific Book
- A Genealogy Holiday Writing Prompt
Recent Comments
- Valesca McMillian on Really Starting Over?
- Sari on Separated but Never Divorced
- Sue Acuff on The Family Reunion Notice in the Newspaper
- Michael John Neill on At a California Motel
- Christine on At a California Motel
Archives
- December 2024
- November 2024
- October 2024
- September 2024
- August 2024
- July 2024
- June 2024
- May 2024
- April 2024
- March 2024
- February 2024
- January 2024
- December 2023
- November 2023
- October 2023
- September 2023
- August 2023
- July 2023
- June 2023
- May 2023
- April 2023
- March 2023
- February 2023
- January 2023
- December 2022
- November 2022
- October 2022
- September 2022
- August 2022
- July 2022
- June 2022
- May 2022
- April 2022
- March 2022
- February 2022
- January 2022
- December 2021
- November 2021
- October 2021
- September 2021
- August 2021
- July 2021
- June 2021
- May 2021
- April 2021
- March 2021
- February 2021
- January 2021
- December 2020
- November 2020
- October 2020
- September 2020
- August 2020
- July 2020
- June 2020
- May 2020
- April 2020
- March 2020
- February 2020
- January 2020
- December 2019
- November 2019
- October 2019
- September 2019
- August 2019
- July 2019
- June 2019
- May 2019
- April 2019
- March 2019
- February 2019
- January 2019
- December 2018
- November 2018
- October 2018
- September 2018
- August 2018
- July 2018
- June 2018
- May 2018
- April 2018
- March 2018
- February 2018
- January 2018
- December 2017
- November 2017
- October 2017
- September 2017
- August 2017
- July 2017
- June 2017
- May 2017
- April 2017
- March 2017
- February 2017
- January 2017
- December 2016
- November 2016
- October 2016
- September 2016
- August 2016
- July 2016
- June 2016
- May 2016
- April 2016
- March 2016
- February 2016
- January 2016
- December 2015
- November 2015
- October 2015
- September 2015
- August 2015
- July 2015
- June 2015
- May 2015
- April 2015
- March 2015
- February 2015
- January 2015
- December 2014
- November 2014
- October 2014
- September 2014
- August 2014
- July 2014
- January 2014
- December 2013
- November 2013
- October 2013
- August 2013
- July 2013
- May 2013
- April 2013
- March 2013
- January 2013
- December 2012
- November 2012
- October 2012
- September 2012
- August 2012
- July 2012
- June 2012
- May 2012
- April 2012
- March 2012
- February 2012
- January 2012
- December 2011
- November 2011
- October 2011
- September 2011
- August 2011
- July 2011
- June 2011
- May 2011
- April 2011
- March 2011
- February 2011
- January 2011
- December 2010
- November 2010
- October 2010
- September 2010
- August 2010
- July 2010
- June 2010
- May 2010
- April 2010
- March 2010
- February 2010
- January 2010
- November 2009
- October 2009
- September 2009
- August 2009
- July 2009
- June 2009
- May 2009
- April 2009
- March 2009
- February 2009
- January 2009
- December 2008
6 Responses
John, you wrote:
“…a signature that appears to match the script of the document most likely means that you are looking at a record copy of the document and your ancestor’s actual signature. ”
Did you mean, “…you are looking at a record copy of the document and [not] your ancestor’s actual signature.”? I ask that because of your last sentence and the writing in your post image.
That is what I meant…and I’m going to change it.
Doesn’t the word “seal” written inside scrolling after the name indicate that it is where a signature was affixed? Wouldn’t that also tell you that it is not the actual handwritten signature of the person?
Ernie, what a good question.
No, the word “seal” or abbreviation “LS” (for legal seal) inside the squiggle represents a now very archaic practice when the wealthy and nobility were the only ones who had documents made in their names. And their “seals” (perhaps molded metal or even carved stone, with a decorative or symbolic device/image were used in documents and to “seal” correspondence with a dab of sealing-wax. Not instead of a signature, but as part of assurance as to authenticity of the instrument. If you search the internet or wikipedia for sealing-wax, you will get a start for some articles about history of such use of seals. Today, high Court officials have Official Seals that are sometimes actually used on documents; they are molded to use sort of like a pliers to make an actual impression in the paper document (not using sealing-wax today). Bear in mind the phrase, “signed, sealed and delivered.” Ordinary folks almost never have had actual seals, and in the USA the use by the wealthy (aside from officialdom) had pretty much disappeared by the beginning of the 19th century. It is pretty amazing to see the “sealing” practice held over into modern times in such things as recorded deeds. Now when you see this, you can grin about historical holdovers.
Thanks for answering that, Jade.
However, I have a copy of my 3+g-grandfather’s handwriting from his naturalization document. He wrote the document. I am so lucky to have found this, thanks to a great volunteer at the Adams County Historical Society in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. I also have the naturalization document written out by his brother-in-law at the same time.