April, I'm sure your last thought below is correct -- "of Ratcliff". I believe it's written "of Ratc", and in most cases there's a small horizontal line above the final "c", indicating that the word has been abbreviated. HTH Judy London, UK -----Original Message----- From: middlesex_county_uk-bounces@rootsweb.com [mailto:middlesex_county_uk-bounces@rootsweb.com] On Behalf Of April Moran My original query was this, On a baptism image, the words 'of Rate' were written after the fathers name but before his occupation, can any one tell me what this means? - I have been looking for a John Wilkinson b.1764 on the Ancestry site, this is what I found: Name: John Wilkinson - baptism date: 9th March 1764, parish: St.Dunstans and All Saints, County: Middlesex, Borough: Tower Hamlets, Parents: Philip Wilkinson, Eliz Wilkinson On the image itself it states: John son of Philip Wilkinson. of Rate~ Mercer & Eliz~. I have since found a couple of Burials with this wording, one gives the person's name then wording 'of Rate' the other gives the person's name and then the wording 'from Rate', which leads me to think that this wording could mean the area where they are living? If so, where is Rate, or is this a shortened version? Whilst I have been writing this and looking at the image, I have just thought - Could this wording be a shortened version of Ratcliffe? Pleased to here any ideas any one may have, April > April, it's quite difficult for anyone to help without seeing the > context of your query. > > If it is an online image (e.g. from Ancestry), please post some details > -- parish, date, name. That way other people can look it and may be able > to help. > I have another query for you knowledgeable people: > On a baptism image, the words "of rate" were written after the fathers > name but before his occupation, can any one please tell me what this > means? > > many thanks - April