Por gpf13 |

I need some help in interpreting an abbreviation of a name.

I have seen names such as "Ma. Ha." and "Ha. Rafaela" in baptismal records.

"Ma." is the common abbreviation for Maria, but what does "Ha." stand for? Could it be Hipolita", are there other possibilities?

George Fulton

It could be Helena, Herminia, Hilaria, Hortensia, Heraclia.... It may even be a name not currently spelled with H. Since they are baptismal records I would check the names of the saints of the day, week and month the girl was born and baptised.
Best regards,
Victoriano Navarro

The abbreviation is not "Ha" it is "Jfa" and it stands for Josefa. There are places where it is written with the letters clearly separated, and other where they are joined, hence the confusion. Josefa is also written Josepha, and abbreviated Jpha.

Names beginning with H are not common; in this particular register, quite rare in fact. The abbreviation Jfa is, however, common.

George Fulton
Pleasanton, CA

Very good!

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Subject: [Nuestros Ranchos] Problem solved!

The abbreviation is not "Ha" it is "Jfa" and it stands for Josefa. There are
places where it is written with the letters clearly separated, and other
where they are joined, hence the confusion. Josefa is also written Josepha,
and abbreviated Jpha.

Names beginning with H are not common; in this particular register, quite
rare in fact. The abbreviation Jfa is, however, common.

George Fulton
Pleasanton, CA

Genealogy Research