On Mon, 16 Sep 2013 09:11:44 -0400, Keith Nuttle <Keith_Nuttle@sbcglobal.net> wrote: >On 9/16/2013 5:31 AM, cecilia wrote: >> Charles Ellson wrote: >> [...] >>>>> In Scottish records, it's usually just a >>>>> cross and the signature of a witness >>>>> to say that A had made that mark. >>>>> Lesley Robertson >>>> >>>> That's what I've seen in American >>>> colonial and early federal records >>>> as well--mostly wills and related matters. >>>> Some also have a >>>> hand-drawn rosette pattern >>>> labeled "seal" or "sealed." >>>> >>> IME (RHS pond) seals only seem >>> to feature with nobility and corporate >>> bodies with others either signing >>> or else making a mark with the >>> required number of witnesses' signatures. >> >> Sealing (if occuring) can go with either signing or making a mark. >> >> From transcription of probate copy of a will proved at the >> Archdeaconry Court of Ely >> >> "....In Witness whereof I have hereuntoset my hand and Seal the Third >> Day of November One Thousand Seven Hundred and Fifty Six >> Charles Bottomley [loco sigilli] >> Signed Sealed Published and Declared by the said Testator ...." >> > >I do not know about the UK, but in America it is quite common to see a >hand drawn seal. > Seals aren't necessarily the traditional blob of wax, they can be impressed (e.g. official copies of wills in England and Wales) or printed (e.g. copies of BMD registrations in England and Wales) although I suspect drawing your own probably won't count now. >I always assumed that the original document was >transcribed into the Probate court records and the hand drawn seal was >used to represent the actual seal on the original document > In the case of what are obvious copies you are probably correct.