In many English language documents in the 19th century and before a double "s" is written in such a way that it resemble a "fancy" modern "p." Because of this some names with a double "s" on the end end up being transcribed as if they ended with a "p."
That's exactly why DeMoss is transcribed occasionally as DeMop.
My first experience with the double S was with a census record showing many BAP families! Little did I know that was really BASS!
ReplyDeleteHow about the Mipipippi River?
ReplyDeleteGood point. And now (because of my somewhat unusual sense of humor), I can't get the phrase "Look for 'duh mop' in the Mipipippi River" out of my head ;-)
DeleteI have also seen "ss" look like two long "f" letters. Resulting in Russell transcribed as Ruffell.
ReplyDelete