David Rotenstein's reply to the inquiry as to the meaning of "to" and "by"
in probate records
 
"The system is most fully explained in an 18th century business textbook,
"Book-Keeping Methodized: or A Methodical Treatise of Merchant-Accounts
According to the Italian Form" by John Mair (1795)."
 
reminds me of a historian's genealogy files that I was unfortunate enough
to "inherit" (I have since dumped them off on someone else).  Hundreds of
neatly labeled and ordered folders with hundreds of carefully worded
inquiries from family researchers, each accompanied by gracious notes
saying "thank you for the wonderful information - you have given me the
answers I have been seeking!!!!"  Unfortunately the historian never got
around to making copies of the information that she so dillegenty compiled
and sent the originals off to all corners of the earth.  At least I can be
consoled in knowing that the answer is out there somewhere!
 
        I don't mean this against David, as I see it many times on HISTARCH and
other lists, but there are many people who would like the answers and we
can't all go searching for the book.  Is it too much trouble to drop in a
few lines giving the answer  ... or the reference ... or a description of
the project ...?
 
Dan W.
Richmond, VA