There are so many of you on this list that know so much more about genealogy than I do that I'm hoping someone can help me. Was it common practice to sign documents by the surname Younger in place of your own surname and if so why? My second greatgrandfather, Alex. Gordon, signed documents in the 1820's and into the 1830's in Halifax, Virginia, under the name Alex. G. Younger or Alex. Gordon Younger. He was married the first time in 1822 under the name Alex. G. Younger. He signed at least one document after late 1835 as only Alexander Gordon. There is an Alexander Gordon in the 1830 and 1840 Halifax Virginia census. I have been in contact with many Younger researchers and Alexander hasn't been placed in a Younger family. I haven't found another Gordon researcher for that time period in the Halifax, VA. area. Alexander Gordon left VA. by 1848 and settled in Mo. He married the second time as Alexander Gordon and only used the name Gordon thereafter. I don't know whethe! r I am looking for a Younger or a Gordon family in VA. There was an older Alexander Gordon in the adjoining county in NC in the early 1800's, and also a Rev. Alex. Gordon in Halifax in the mid 1700's, would that make a difference in how the younger Alex. would sign his name? I haven't found a connection with the other Alex's. however. Any ideas are welcome and very appreciated. M. J. Milford