That Line Above the “n”

In an earlier blog post, we mentioned lines above consonants being used as a short hand to indicate a double letter. The sample item in that discussion was from the late 19th century in Nebraska, by a pastor whose ethnicity was unknown, but was probably German.

In this 1796 baptismal entry for Johann Michael Trautvetter the same notation is used. In fact, it’s used twice as the godfather is also named Johann Michael Trautvetter and the line over the first “n” in his first name also has the same meaning.