> Two more comments: I use "unknown" as in "unknown Jones father" or > "unknown Smith husband" in my Family Tree Maker software. Just > easier that way, and I think abbreviations would be confusing. > Second: I don't know of any genealogy software that accommodates > slave ancestry. I've had to improvise to record slave owners and > slaves using Excel or the notes part of Family Tree Maker. > > Kberry Kenyatta- While I haven't used Family TreeMaker in many years unless it has changed it can accomodate any culture where surnames were not used. There is a difference between having a surname and not knowing what that surname IS and not having a surname AT ALL. To designate no surname in FTM (unless it has changed over the years the entry is shown given name// -- the slashes mark the beginning and ending of the blank field. Joan PS: And, once again, with regard to the use of "unknown" or any variation thereof--if you are only making the notatation for yourself -- fine; but if others are to use or view it, using [--?--] (the bracketed m dashes with question mark in the middle) is the best solution. This notation can be used for the surname OR given name field and always represents an unknown (but existing) name whichever field it is used for. JYoung6180@aol.com