Learn to do better genealogy research with these expert tips from GenealogyBank on understanding terms found in historical newspapers. Discover the meanings of the most commonly misunderstood words and abbreviations in old newspapers.

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or has a familial or business connection
outside of the published location, and therefore readers in that additional location will have an interest in

4. Also note that her death date is
reported as “the 8th instant” (again,
with the “s” spelled with an “f” so that
it actually reads “inftant”). I’ll explain
what “instant” means shortly.
shortly.
proximo and ultimo. Occasionally they do this for religious reasons, which I’ll explain

5. In this notice from 1842, one’s first inclination is to record Mr. Basset’s death as having occurred in December of 1841,
since the death notice was published in January and referred to the “23d ult.” However, upon further examination, I’ve
uncovered some citations that report his death as having occurred in November.

6. I suggest you consider recording “ultimo” dates as approximations (died circa or about).