In Europe (especially Germany) it was customary when a name (or word) had a double s that the symbol was used to signify the double s (i.e Maey). Whether there is any truth to it or not...it is said that it was used in Germany to avoid writing SS which has a reference to the Nazi Germany era. I haven't found this written in stone but I did work in Germany off and on for 29 years between 1957 and 1993 so do have a feel for things German. I have a number of Genealogy links (plus many others) on my home page at http://www.storm.ca/~hpurdy Scroll down to the Genealogy section. Harry >Last night at the local FHC, I was looking in Caswell Co. NC in the 1850 >census, and found some "Mafey"...or some such name... > >If these are real Masseys, it would fit into my history pretty well. > >Anyone have any ideas?