Jorge, Thanks for this list. It is consistent with the name abbreviating custom of the time in English-speaking countries: W(m) (superscript m) = William Dan(l) (Superscript l) = Daniel Tho(s) (superscript s) = Thomas I even found a note on the passenger list of a ship where the captain wrote describing a passenger who'd stolen food from the others and included the abbreviation: da(d) (superscript final d). It took me awhile to figure out he was cussing and not naming. Jerry ---------------------------- At least in Portuguese records found in Brazil up to the middle of the 19th century that is the case. "J" followed by a superscripted "e" meaning "Jose." Other common abbreviations for names and surnames: J(e) = Jose Joaq(m) = Joaquim M(el) = Manuel Ant(o) = Antonio M(a) = Maria Joaq(na) = Joaquina Per(a) = Pereira Oliv(ra) = Oliveira S(a) = Silva Miz = Martins Glz = Goncalves Nz = Nunes This is by no means an exhaustive list. -- Jorge Todeschini __________ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of virus signature database 7010 (20120329) __________ The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus. http://www.eset.com