Hi Jackie & all, "Ls." may be used to mean "legal signature." I've never seen it, but I suspect that it would be on a transcription of a document, to indicate that the original had been signed. My American Heritage dictionary lists "l. s." as "letter signed." If you are looking at an old document, it is more likely "L.S." - the Latin abbreviation. (There was a time when lawyers knew Latin - and English. :) Don't shoot - I is one. <g>) A handwritten copy (made by the Court clerk) of an 1818 will that I have has L.S. next to the copied signature of the testator, inside a circle drawn with fancy curlicues to represent a seal. In these days of photocopies there is little need for such drawings, but Latin L.S. could still come in handy if one were typing (rather than scanning) a modern will & wanted to indicate that the original was a certified copy bearing the embossed seal of the Court - or had been notarized. >From Black's Law Dictionary, 4th Edition: L. S. An abbreviation for "Locus sigilli," the place of the seal, i.e., the place where a seal is to be affixed, or a scroll which stands instead of a seal. [Several case citations omitted here.] >From the Random House Dictionary: L. S. 3. The place of the seal, as on a document. l. s. See L.S. Def. 3 Can someone tell me if "Ls" meaning "Legal signature" appears in newer dictionaries than mine? Regards, Peggy Peggy Dolan outtolaunch@juno.com On Wed, 17 Feb 1999 06:46:22 -0700 Jackie Towner <jadot@cyberhighway.net> writes: >Hello again, >Just wanted to let everyone know, that I was wrong in my assumption, >of the >wax seal explanation for Ls. I have been informed by many people that >Ls. >definitely means legal signature, used as a statement that the person >actually signed. Not used when a person's X was witnessed. >(Not nearly as interesting as the wax seal theory) >Jackie >PS Thanks everybody! ___________________________________________________________________ You don't need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail. Get completely free e-mail from Juno at http://www.juno.com/getjuno.html or call Juno at (800) 654-JUNO [654-5866]