Unreadable entry
The symbols in a name or number, such as * _ [ ] { }, indicate that the transcriber was
unable to accurately read the index. These symbols use a convention called the Uncertain
Character Format (UCF) to describe the ambiguity;
Uncertain character format
_ (Underscore) A single uncertain character. It could be anything but is definitely one
character. It can be repeated for each uncertain character.
* (Asterisk) Several adjacent uncertain characters. A single * is used when there are 1 or
more adjacent uncertain characters. It is not used immediately before or after a _ or
another *.
Note: If it is clear there is a space, then * * is used to represent 2 words, neither of
which can be read.
[abc] A single character that could be any one of the contained characters and only those
characters. There must be at least two characters between the brackets.
For example, [79] would mean either a 7 or a 9, whereas [C_] would mean a C or some other
character.
{min,max} Repeat count - the preceding character occurs somewhere between min and max
times. max may be omitted, meaning there is no upper limit. So _{1,} would be equivalent
to *, and _{0,1} means that it is unclear if there is any character. Ensure the complete
field is enclosed in quotes to avoid the comma being taken as a field separator, e.g.
"williams{0,1}".
? (Question mark) Only used where it is unambiguous that there are no characters in the
column, e.g a missing Volume. The question mark must be the only character in the column.
Note: If it is unclear whether the column is empty or not _{0,1} is used.
Note: Using a single * is preferable to spending a long time trying to decide the min and
max values to use in the _{min,max} format, which is more precise.
Technical note: Although this UCF format has many similarities to regular expressions
(e.g. Perl, Unix) it is not identical and in particular there is no escape mechanism.
Robert Alun Chick (Penarth)
-----Original Message-----
From: karen mabey <kmabey(a)bigpond.net.au>
To: GLAMORGAN(a)rootsweb.com
Sent: Tue, 28 Dec 2010 19:24
Subject: [GLA] Thomas
Hi
an anyone explain why there are 2 lots of numbers one in brackets when
ooking at Free BDM's please.
g: Death Theresa Thomas Swansea 11a [56] 79
Thanks in advance.
aren
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