I also want to say thank you for sharing this Evie, it has been interesting reading them and trying to figure them out. Pictographs as a signature was also my hunch. I have also learned quite a bit on this list. Thanks everyone! Sarah Adams ----- Original Message ----- From: <SaintWare@aol.com> To: <PFALZ-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Tuesday, November 21, 2000 2:14 AM Subject: [PFALZ] Hand-Zeichen OK, did everybody understand this one? >>"Handzeichen (Merkzeichen) Hausmarke, Kennzeichen des Besitzes, gekürzte Namens-unterschrift, bei Analphabeten die Unterschrift ersetzendes Zeichen. Bei Holzgeräten wurde das Zeichen eingeschnitten oder eingebrannt mit dem Brenneisen. Bei sonstigen Gegenständen malte man das Handzeichen mit Farbe auf das Eigentum"<< It is saying that these signs were used by people who couldn't read or write, to identify their possesions, houses, and themselves. The sign (like a brand in the American West) was carved or burned into wooden objects, and painted onto other objects. The signs were also used in place of a signature (although another member says the sign would have to be notarized to be valid). Evelyn, your ancestor apparently used the sign labled #9, that looks like a pince-nez. Thanks for sharing these with us! Carol PS 50 years later, the folks in my home village were signing their names in the churchbooks. I wonder when education for the commoners began in the Pfalz... ==== PFALZ Mailing List ==== Going on vacation longer than 4 days? Go to http://lists.rootsweb.com/index/intl/DEU/PFALZ.html to unsubscribe