The surname Massey occurs in the
records in a bewildering variety of spellings. It is, of course,
futile to complain; it is likely a better idea to explain.
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First, if the Massey man himself
has a spelling that he fancies, he writes it that way.
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Next, the scribe writes it as it
sounds to him, or the way it looks to him. Next. the researcher
interprets the handwriting of the scribe, and the scribes' spelling.
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The compounded result of this
sequence produces a nightmare for researchers and interpreters.
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Here is a partial listing of
these spelling variations; and I am sure that many more could be added:
Mace
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Marcee
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Massee
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Mashie
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Mayze
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Mocy
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Macey
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Marsey
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Massey
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Maxey
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Mazy
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Mossey
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Maci
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Mase
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Mascie
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Maxy
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Mercey
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Mossy
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Macie
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Masi
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Massie
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Maycey
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Massy
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Moscy
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Macy
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Mass
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Massy
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Maze
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Mercy
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Moxey
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Marcey
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Masse
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Massa
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Mazey
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Mersey
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Morcy
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In some geographical areas, a
reasonably consistent pattern has emerged:
Maryland: most often
Massey, then Massy, then Massie.
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Dorchester Co., Md.:
Usually Mace, sometimes Massey and Massie.
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Virginia: Usually Massie,
then Massey, Massee, etc.
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Missouri: almost always
Masey.
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Because the scope of this book
concerns mainly Maryland and Missouri, I have consistently used the
Massey spelling. Reference spellings are, of course, shown as the
are spelled in the records.
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