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. 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