It is sometimes necessary to remember the initial as well as the name.
Often it is as hard to remember initials as it is figures, because they
have no definite meaning. An inquiry as to the names which the initials
stand for, will be very helpful. It is much easier to remember George
Henry than the initials G. H.
Initials which occur in alphabetical sequence are easily remembered and
many times you will find that the first letter of the name continues
the sequence, as: R. S. Thompson; F. G. Hibbard; D. E. Ferris.
Sometimes you will find the initials spelling a single word, as E. D.
which can be taken to represent the given name "Ed", which is short for
Edward. You will find many cases where the initials will spell a simple
word such as:
R. A. Gunn (Rag). P. A. Scott (Pas-s).
R. I. Pitt (Rip). J. A. Marks (Jam).
At other times the initials will be those of names which are
familiar to you because of historical, political or other well known
associations, as:
S. A. Burke--will remind you of Samuel Adams Burke.
W. J. Casper--will suggest William Jennings Casper.
There are many initials which will represent titles or well known ideas
such as the names of lodges and societies:
D. A. Rasmussen can easily be associated with the D. A. R.--Daughters
of the American Revolution.