Try using alternative spellings. If you are unable to locate a document by the
full spelling of a last name, try using alternate spellings. Because some
records were handwritten in cursive, the spelling of a name sometimes could
be interpreted several ways. For example, an "A" may be an "O" or "U". An "L"
could be an "F", "S" or "T,” the letters "PH" could be an "F,” etc.
The spelling of foreign names often presents a problem. In many cases, names were
anglicized by either the court clerk or by the immigrant. Since court clerks often
spelled names phonetically, misspellings are frequent. Researchers should be aware
that individual names may be misspelled and they should check all possible variations.