Audrey, This is going to sound like a glib answer, but whatever the clerk wrote or the owner of the name wanted written. Of interest, I checked the microfilm of the Saugus Vital Records today to see if or how amended records were recorded. One of the entries changed, but not an amended record or at least not on my partial list of Saugus amended record, was just that change from Stewart to Stuart as a surname. Most of the amended records for Saugus I did check had the word "disposition" next to the name of records that were recorded in the state archives as amended records. It appears that if the change was made prior to the book being closed then the change and a note as to why the change occurred is recorded on the page, if not you won't see an explanation. Not sure I can help with your question as it is individual specific. Sue Richart On Tue, Jan 13, 2009 at 12:43 PM, Audrey Bowne wrote: > on the spelling of MATTHEW OR MATHEW also I find STUART AND STEWART the > same way and others > for the 1st name and middle name and last surname > what is the spelling ? > please post answer on GenMA > thanks > Audrey > Seattle > > ------------------------------ > *From:* Sue Richart <maessex@rootsweb.com> > *Sent:* Saturday, January 10, 2009 7:27:09 PM > *Subject:* [GENMASSACHUSETTS] NEHGS Mass Vital Records 1841-1910: Figuring > out amended records > > Here is a process for figuring out if an entry is an amended record or not > using the New England Historic Genealogical Society's Massachusetts Vital > Records 1841-1910 on-line database at www.newenglandancestors.org . This > is > more complex than I like, but it is the best I could come up with. > > I > >