Do you struggle with reading modern cursive writing? Do you want to run away and hide more than you want the clue that is scribbled in the old-style handwritten document in front of you? If so the Library of Congress is here to help. Their online resource, Paleography: Interpreting Handwriting in Genealogical Research is the comprehensive tool you need to blast through those handwriting roadblocks.
Most sections after the introduction contains both a bibliography and links to online resources. Categories of help include English Scripts, Early American Handwriting, Modern Cursive, Signatures, Transcription and Spelling, Latin scripts, Languages and Subject headings, General Reference and Dictionaries.  |
| Follow the link to the source to find the signatures of some famous aviators! |
The English Scripts section includes information on English and Scottish document from 1500-1700 as well as a link out to an incredible Script tutorial hosted at Brigham Young University that links to sections for each of the major European languages.
The Signatures section covers clerk copies vs signatures on original records, as well as marks vs signature. It continues with a section on tracing a person's signature over time and steps for authentication.
This content-dense offering is worth the time to browse carefully if you have some early records, or foreign languages records, or length transcriptions in your future. This guide is well worth investing a hot summer afternoon to explore and plan your next paleographic adventure!
Comments
Post a Comment