Just out of curiosity

[tigces]

1) What is the earliest date, you've found that someone (women especially) that can sign their names?

2) What is the latest date, you've found that people sign with an X?

3) How far back did you go before you found your first Smith - if you are a Smith how far on the otherside of the tree?

4) How far back did you go before you found your first Jones?

[wheeldon]

Hi Tigces,

Mine are all pretty standard ancestors although I thankfully (research wise) haven't yet found a Smith or a Jones 

I used to work in a bank and I came across customers who still signed with an X

I think this thread would do well on the common board so if you ask the moderator, at the top of the page.  to move it for you I'm sure you will get a lot more interesting replies than mine



Moderator Comment: Moved 

[Gadget]

Ok - this is from memory:

1. 1600s My only Aristo line - though I presume that they could sign before this. Still looking for docs and wills.

2. 1900 My grandfather on his marriage cert. Although he and his parents could write. I don't understand the cross 

3. 3xGreats' daughter had a middle name Smith - haven't found a direct link though.

4. Great Grandmother*, Ellen Jones, and then masses of them 

Gadget

Oops - and another Great Grandmother, Martha Jones - sorry Grt Gran 

[sarah]

Hi Tigces,

Gosh what interesting questions you ask ! I think there is going to be some interesting replies (perhaps you should have posted each question on its own ?)

Although I do not have Smith I do have a Cross living as Lodger in the 1881 census I have not made that much progress  due to the popularity of the name.

Would love to know about your findings..

Sarah

[uk2003]

Question 3

My mother-in-law was a Smith

Question 4

My Gran was a Jones (my dads mum)

Needless to say I have not really started to look at them lines yet Oh the headache just thinking about it.

Ken

[kerryb]

Not sure about Question 1 or 2 at the moment, I shall have to go and have a look because that's quite an interesting thought.

As to Smith's the further back so far is 1867 and the birth of Helena Lorraine Lovekin Stanford Smith, lots of other threads on here about her, haven't managed to go back any further as I'm not too sure who her father was - the one on her birth certificate, the one on her marriage certificate or the one on the census returns. 

No Jones at all.

Kerry

[Lazylover]

1. I'm not sure about

2. My Great Grandmother couldn't read or write (She was born in 1900)

3. Smiths - haven't found any [yet]

4. Jones - 1823. Not bad in my welsh family

[MaryA]

1) Luke Lunt signed his name in 1778
     Hannah Lunt signed her name in 1862
     I think Ellen Richardson signed her name in 1830 - there's a possible x lower down the page but beneath where her name is, but no words "her mark" as there is against one of the witness names.

2) Seems to be about 1894.

3)  Joseph Lunt married a Martha Smith in 1842 but not in my direct line.

4) - guess what - I don't have any at all!!!

[Comosus]

1) What is the earliest date, you've found that someone (women especially) that can sign their names?

2) What is the latest date, you've found that people sign with an X?

3) How far back did you go before you found your first Smith - if you are a Smith how far on the otherside of the tree?

4) How far back did you go before you found your first Jones?

1. For ancestors only, I can only go back to a few people born in the 1830s who both married in 1859 - so not very far!  But I only have GRO certificates to go on.  Although my GGGG Grandfather's second wife was born in 1792 and signed their marriage in 1837 (It also happened to be the first marriage at that church after the act)
2. 1890 marriage of my GG Grandmother, who was born in 1869
3. Back to my maternal grandmother and also GG Grandmother on my other side (and GGG Grandmother on another branch!)
4. None found yet

Andrew