Handwriting of our Ancestors  

THE "FS" AND "SS" MISTAKES

It was the general practice several hundred years ago to write a double "s" ("ss") as "fs". In addition, a single "s" could have been written like an "f." This practice continued until the 20th century. Examples are:

Hanson	Hanfon
Wilson	Wilfon
Moses	Mofes
Harrisson	Harrisfon or Harrifson
Jesse	Jesfe or Jefse
Nass	Nasf or Nafs

One of the most dramatic changes in letters has been the letter "s." Here are spme examples of regular lower case "s" and another "s" that looks like a backward lower case "f."

	"s" and "s"
	Jesse
	Sussana

Over 100 years ago the "s" was often written like a backward "f." This strange symbol for "s" was used very commonly in instances where there was a "double s." The unusual s first, called the "leading s." Then the regular s.

EXAMPLES of names with the "s" issue.

	Ross
	Bass
	Moss
	Douglass
	Chesster
	Clarissa
	Sussana