I am currently transcribing scan 1851M4-M-0178 which is a double page scan comprised entirely of the surname Martin. However, the surname has been omitted in the last two entries of the first page, but the second page continues with the surname Martin. I cannot follow the rule of "type what you see" as there is nothing there to see, but should I leave the surnames off these two entries or should I insert the name Martin. Joan France (ID-2260)

Where something is missing you insert a question mark ? . Please check out "Hints and Help For Beginners" at: http://www2.freebmd.org.uk/beginhelp.shtml ? Scroll down to "Uncertain character format". In this case as the missing surname seems to be Martin, you can add #THEORY(2)after the first line containing the ? similar to : ?,Jane,Gainsbro etc #THEORY(2) Surname should be Martin ?,Jane,Newton etc Further information on the use of #THEORY(n) is also in the "Hints and Help For Beginners" document, scroll down to "Using #THEORY" Allan Raymond ----- Original Message ----- From: "Joan France" <Joan.France@blueyonder.co.uk> To: <FreeBMD-Admins-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: 28 October 2005 13:38 Subject: missing surnames I am currently transcribing scan 1851M4-M-0178 which is a double page scan comprised entirely of the surname Martin. However, the surname has been omitted in the last two entries of the first page, but the second page continues with the surname Martin. I cannot follow the rule of "type what you see" as there is nothing there to see, but should I leave the surnames off these two entries or should I insert the name Martin. Joan France (ID-2260)