Translating Initials found in Documents
Initials after your ancestor's names may provide useful
information that you'd not expected.
 
 
If you have any to add, please let me know.
 
 
Initial
Meaning
a.a.s.
(anno aetitis suae)
died in the year of his/her age.  For example,  71 y/o died in year 71.
d.s.p.
(decessit sine prole legitima)
died without issue 
d.s.p.l. 
(decessit sine prole mascula
supesita)
died without legitimate issue
d.s.p.m.s.
(decessit sine prole mascula
supersita)
died without surviving male issue 
d.s.p.s
(decessit sine prole  supersita)
died without surviving issue
d.unm died unmarried
d.v.p.
(decessit vita patris)
died in the lifetime of his father
d.v.m.
(decessit vita matris)
died in the lifetime of his mother
Et al  and others
Inst
(instans)
present month 
Liber  book or volume
Nepos grandson
Nunc Nuncapative will, an oral will, written by a witness
Ob he/she died (obit)
Relict widow or widower
Sic  so or thus, exact copy as written
Testes witnesses
Utl 
 (ultimo)
late 
Ux or vs
(uxor)
wife
Viz namely 
 
 
 
©2000 by Tina Hursh