Genealogy Chat

I'm having difficulty transcribing an abbreviation (my guess: op'n? or op?), and in guessing what word it's short for.

I'm sure it indicates that the name it follows is the mum's maiden surname.

Here's my trascription of 2 baptisms, and the marr of the parents.

George bp 13/12/1824 s/o James (Husbandry) & Elizabeth Allen (Gibbs op'n?) Psh of Catfield
https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HT-D4Z9-HN6?i=18&wc=92BX-PYQ%3A29437801%2C29359202%2C29472901%3Fcc%3D1416598&cc=1416598

Ann bp 26/2/1827 d/o James (Husbandry) & Elizabeth Allen (Gibbs op?) Psh of Catfield
https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HT-D4Z9-4JJ?i=21&wc=92BX-PYQ%3A29437801%2C29359202%2C29472901%3Fcc%3D1416598&cc=1416598

James Allen & Elizabeth Gibbs (b.o.t.p.) m 5/12/1821 at Catfield by banns Witn: Thomas Wright; Elizabeth Allen
https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HT-D4Z9-4G9?i=10&wc=92BX-PYC%3A29437801%2C29373001%2C29397101%3Fcc%3D1416598&cc=1416598


1841 https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M79G-VGW
Event Place Catfield, Norfolk, England
Residence Note Fen Street
James Allen M 40-44 Norfolk
Eliz Allen F 40-44 Norfolk
George Allen M 15-19 Norfolk
Elizth Allen F 14 Norfolk


I've got everything else I need for this family.

It's just that I'm stumped on what's written, and what it's short for.

it looks like it could be her maiden name

other entries have what looks like surnames too have been added for possible the mums name

have you found the marriage

yes its her maiden name


James Allen
mentioned in the record of George Allen
Name James Allen
Gender Male
Wife Elizabeth Gibbs
Son George Allen
Other information in the record of George Allen
from England, Norfolk Bishop's Transcripts
Name George Allen
Event Type Christening
Event Date 13 Dec 1824
Event Place Norwich, Norfolk, England
Gender Male
Father's Name James Allen
Mother's Name Elizabeth Gibbs
Citing this Record
"England, Norfolk Bishop's Transcripts, 1685-1941," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NBY3-7PV : 27 December 2014), James Allen in entry for George Allen, 13 Dec 1824; citing Christening, Norwich, Norfolk, England, Record Office, Central Library, Norwich; FHL microfilm 1,471,001.



James Allen
mentioned in the record of James Allen and Elizabeth Gibbs
Name James Allen
Spouse's Name Elizabeth Gibbs
Event Date 25 Dec 1822
Event Place Catfield, Norfolk, England

Could it just be an f for formerly?

Could it be o/s, meaning "other surname"?

Like ArgyllGran, I too think it could be o/s but perhaps standing for "original surname". It's only a guess though.

Kath. x

I think you're right and it is o/s with s being short for surname - this also explains the occasional appearance of the superscript n.

There's no way of knowing from this register whether o is short for other, or original.
The latter is more accurate, I think.

My gran's o/s was Massie - since she was Scottish, the GROS use maiden surname, and m.s. is scattered all over the BMDs.
Why I mention this is I've come across records that use the long s (which I'll represent as an f), and the name has been written as Mafsie - not too uncommonly. I have seen this version transcribed as Mapie - I never dreamed I'ld make essentially the same mistranscriptioo.

Thank you all for your help in resolving my problems.

I have found that o p means 'of this parish' so b.o.t.p. will mean 'both of this parish.

Hope that helps.
Janet

Name George Allen
Gender Male
Christening Date 13 Dec 1824
Christening Place Catfield, Norfolk, England
Father's Name James Allen
Mother's Name Elisabeth Gibbs