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02 April 2011

Making A Mark Doesn't Mean They Were Illiterate

Remember that just because your ancestor signs their "mark" on a document it doesn't mean they were illiterate. In some cases, a person might have been told to "make their mark" which was unique to them, and as long as it was witnessed, legally binding.

Remember also that if your ancestor was ill and on their death bed when they signed their will, making their mark might have been all they could do.

I have several ancestors who signed numerous documents, but made their "mark" on their will, generally because they were advanced in years.