If a record has a ditto mark or other sign of repetition, type the corresponding information from the previous record or field. Do not index the word "ditto" or the ditto mark itself. Other signs of repetition may include the abbreviation "Do" or a vertical or horizontal line.
Note: Sometimes you will have to depend on contextual information to determine whether a mark indicates repeated information from an earlier record or field, or whether it means something else, such as that no information was given for that record or field.
Troubleshooting tips
The following is additional clarification:
- A straight line. A long straight line might be used as a ditto mark for children's surnames in a census record. However, a straight line in a place-name column might not be a ditto mark. Look over the image to see how the straight line was used, and refer to the project instructions and field helps.
- The first letter of a surname followed by a period, for example, "Maria R.," was often used in Mexico censuses for the mother's and children's surnames.
- Sometimes a census enumerator did not repeat the surname or the birthplace for each family member and left the field blank instead. The blank field can be interpreted as a ditto only when the context of the document clearly groups families together, such as in a census.