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...