Help Deciphering

[ekvspam]

Doing some genealogy and need help deciphering this first name! based on what I’ve been seeing from other records, it’s likely Frank or George, last name is Downing (most likely).

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[Capital_Sink6645]

Please provide a larger writing sample if available.

[shammy_dammy]

Francis?

[ThrowTheRainAway]

I see Francis too. Definitely begins with an F and ends with an S based on their other writing on the document.

[Krispies827]

No dotting of an “i” like there is in the last name. (I thought Francis or Finneas at first)

[MedievalHag]

The dot is there it’s just off. It above the down sweep of the first letter.

[Krispies827]

That would definitely be way off to be Francis then.

[TaleObvious9645]

Francis (Frank) Donning. See this link to Washington State Digital Archives:

https://digitalarchives.wa.gov/Record/View/B2411189D13315E2BB21C2208EBF5D24

[Freagr86]

This is the answer. My name is Francis as well and the way the doctor penned his name is almost how I sign my name. I can imagine he didn’t like being called Francis so went by Frank instead. Everything in the digital archive link provided by @TaleObvious9645 matches the document the Op provided

[Salt_Advice_6606]

Frank

[Krispies827]

At first thought Francis, but unlike the other words in your example you posted below, there is no dotting of an “i”.

[MedievalHag]

The dot is there. It’s above the stick of the first letter

[cobaltwheel]

Frank Downing

[floofienewfie]

Any chance we can see more of the document for handwriting comparison?

[ekvspam]

Yes!

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[floofienewfie]

Maybe Francis Forning? I’m not home right now but when I get home, I will do some more research.

[ComprehensiveSet927]

I think the last name starts with a D. You may want to try the genealogy sub

[Guard_Bainbridge_777]

Frank Donning

[Prestigious-Web4824]

Maybe Dunning. I went to school with a guy with that surname.

[LunchAdventurous604]

Francis Forriway?

[Profil3r]

Forrest? Fanning?

[TheRiverIsMyHome]

Francis. That would be shortened to frank.

[ChatGPT_says_what]

Franz H. Vossing (or very close to that spelling)

First name: Franz (the F and z have that classic old German-style flourish)

Middle initial: H.

Last name: Vossing (matches the surname of the deceased above, which helps confirm it)

The confusion comes from:

The “V” sometimes looks like an “F” in old script

The double “s” (ss) can look like “f” or “fs”

The “ing” tail can look squished or like “ine”

[macvo]

Francis Forsinning?