Many of us transcribe old records frequently and we try to show the source just as it is written - spelling errors, date errors and all. Agreed that it is sometimes difficult to always read the writing or decipher dates on old faded records. But, one of the most important things we should do is to transcribe it as it is written. We shouldn't alter the information when we catch an error in the source. As as example: Mary was often known as Polly. If we find a document showing Polly, we might be tempted to change it to Mary .If one source document lists Dickinson and we know it's Dickerson ... we should never change the source. Or - if a place or date of birth is incorrect on one record, we should not change it. That's what the source said. What do you do then? Make a notation or otherwise flag the incorrect data and say how we know it is wrong. Cite a source perhaps, or other evidence that proves it incorrect. Remember that often the clerks - or the individuals themselves - didn't know the correct spelling or date. Many still didn't read or write; or the clerks spelled names as they "heard them." So, never alter source information ... show it as it is and then add your notes. Sandi Sandi's Puzzlers: http://www.gensoup.org/gorinpuzzles/index.php Sandi's site: http://ggpublishing.tripod.com/