Genealogical abbreviations and symbols

As you work farther back in time, you will encounter unfamiliar abbreviations and symbols in the records and cemeteries. Here is a list of the most common:

Abbreviations

a.a.s.:  died in the year of his/her age (56 years died in 1856)
d.s.p.:  died without issue
d.s.p.l.:  died without legitimate issue
d.s.p.m.s.:  died without surviving male issue
d.s.p.s.:  died without surviving issue
d.unm.:  died unmarried
d.v.p.:  died in the lifetime of his father
d.v.m.:  died in the lifetime of his mother
Et al.:  and others
F.L.T.:  friendship, love and truth
Inst:  present month
Liber:  book or volume
Nepos:  grandson
Nunc Nun:  an oral will, written by a witness
Ob:  he/she died
Rel. or Relict:  widow or widower
Res. or Residue:  widow or widower
Sic:  exact copy as written
Testes:  witnesses
Ult:  late
Ux or vs:  wife
Viz:  namely

Trade symbols

Barber:  bowl (for bleeding) and razor
Butcher:  axe, steel knife and cleaver
Farmer:  coulter (type of hoe), flail (threshing implement), swingletree (rod for beating flax) and stalk of corn
Gardener:  rake and spade
Mason:  wedge and level
Mariner:  anchor and sextant
Merchant:  scales and sign
Minister:  Bible
Shoemaker:  awl, knife and nippers
Smith:  crown, hammer and anvil
Teacher:  open book
Weaver:  loom, shuttle and stretchers
Woodwright:  wooden objects they made

Miscellaneous symbols

Angel:  guardian, spirituality
Bible:  Christian
Chalice:  Sacraments
Cherub:  innocence
Crescent:  goddess, Muslim religion
Cross:  Christian, resurrection
Crown:  glory of life after death
Flame/light:  to be immortal
Garland/wreath:  glory, saintliness
Harp:  praise to the Lord
Heart:  Catholic, love, suffering of Christ
Hearts (2):  marriage
Horns:  wisdom, rebirth
Menorah:  Judaism
Ring (broken):  family circle has been severed
Rod/staff:  comfort
Star:  spirit that shines
Star of David:  Judaism
Sun:  renewed life
Swords crossed:  high military rank
Three books:  Bible, Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants
Three rings:  Oddfellows, friendship, love and truth
Trumpeters:  harbingers of the resurrection
Urn:  immortality, remembrance

Animals

Birds:  eternal life or resurrection
Butterfly:  short life
Dog:  good master
Dove:  peace & eternal life
Lamb:  innocence
Lion:  courage
Rooster:  awakening, resurrection

Plants

Fruits:  plenty, fruits of life
Ivy:  friendship, immortality
Laurel:  accomplishment, heroism
Lily:  innocence, purity
Morning glory:  beginning of life
Oak, leaves and acorn:  power, victory
Palm branch:  victory, rejoicing
Poppy:  eternal sleep
Roses:  completion and the brevity of earthly existence
Rose (full bloom):  prime of life
Rosemary:  remembrance
Thistles:  remembrance, Scottish descent
Tree:  life
Tree trunk:  short life
Tree sapling:  life everlasting
Carved stone tree trunk in cemetery:  Woodmen of the World
Wheat:  divine harvest
Weeping willow:  grief

Information from www.jelleyjar.com/ancestor/symbol.html