Firstly, thanks to Eve; I haven't a copy of the image but will make one next time I visit the archives and post it as you suggest. The placename possibility occurred to me but Jid is not a Dorset placename as far as my quite good knowledge goes and doesn't sound right either. Other placenames in the register are preceded by "of" eg "John Eyres of Rixon" and there are no "ofs" in either of the Jid entries so it's fairly clear that it's not a placename. Thanks for confirming that "2nd" wasn't in use. Next, thanks to Margaret (Margaret's suggestion:>>>>>>>Could it possibly be a sum of money - two pence? ij d would be usual format. You do sometimes get such sums in parish registers - payment to the clerk or for tolling the bell etc.<<<<<<<<) That's a good idea, but seems unlikely given that this baptism and this burial seem to be the only entries in the register with this, or with possible sums of money, indicated. Also, the entry is Jid rather than ijd. Thanks next to Paul: (Paul's suggestion: >>>>>>>Or a fine for not being buried in wool? <<<<<<<<) This wouldn't apply to the baptism, so another good idea which won't work I'm grateful to Margaret, Paul and the other kind listers (some of whom who have contacted me off list with their ideas) - so far none of the ideas seem to work though so the mystery remains. Thanks to all for sharing your experience and ingenuity, Robert