language puzzle

[Deborah Hoffman]

Any chance it could be "lein" (flax)? Although, the modern word for flaxen-haired appears to be flachshaarig.
   
  Another thought: either "fair" or "blond" in old US or European script. If the same manifest writer (judging by handwriting) is using English words for other designations it seems less likely he would switch to another language.
   
  Still the practice you suggest is not unheard of, cf. Moses Peller, Blek hair, 25 Jahr old and Singel, resident of "Blicker Street," presumably in New York.
   
  http://www.fisheries.vims.edu/hoenig/pdfs/penmanship.pdf
   
  Is there a visual image available? I'm always up for a good puzzle.
   
   
  >Date:    Wed, 26 Dec 2007 18:28:09 -0800
>From:    Jules Levin <ameliede at EARTHLINK.NET>
>Subject: language puzzle
>
>On another list devoted to genealogy, there has arisen a puzzling 
>term used on a ship's manifest to describe
>hair color.  Here is a quote:
>Typed manifests give hair color of "hane" for some of the foreign
>passengers, a good many of whom are Czech.  By process of elimination,
>the word must mean "blond", given the other entries: "black," "brown,"
>"dark," "grey".
>
>No one recognizes "hane" as a color term in English.  The suggestion 
>that it is henna has been
>rejected, since those so described include many men and 
>children.  Ships' manifests are
>compiled at the departure point, and perhaps some Czech term slipped 
>in here.  Any ideas?
>
>Jules Levin
>Los Angeles


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