SPELLING NOTES

The surnames found in the Listing of Surnames are shown as they appeared in the newspaper. Readers should note that surname misspellings were relatively commonplace in the early newspapers and various spelling variations of surnames were frequently used as well. The authors have made no attempt to correct what likely might be misspellings and/or variations in the spelling of surnames made by the typesetter or printer in any of the listings shown, other than attempting to correct misspellings that we have been able to positively identify as our own.

Additionally, at times, microfilm copy quality of the newspaper pages being researched was quite poor and best judgement had to be utilized in the identification of an intended spelling of a hard to read surname. Further, the Old English lower case "s" very closely resembled the Old English lower case "f" and, if the typeface was quite old and worn, at times it was very difficult to determine which of these two letters was being utilized in the spelling of a particular surname. In such situations, best judgement had to be utilized once again.

Researchers should keep these thoughts in mind when reviewing this Listing and should consider (and look for) possible misspellings and spelling variations as they review the listings for a surname of interest.

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