Librarian
Laurie Preston
she/her/hers
Contact:
McGraw-Page Library
Randolph-Macon College
P.O. Box 5005
305 Henry Street
Ashland VA 23005-5505
McGraw-Page Library
Randolph-Macon College
P.O. Box 5005
305 Henry Street
Ashland VA 23005-5505
804-752-4718
Reading Historical Handwriting
Reading old handwriting can be a challenge! Context matters, so when you are unable to decipher a letter or a word, consider the content around it that you do understand. Also, look for the letter in other words on the page that may help reveal what the letter is.
Here are several guides and videos to help:
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Transcribing historical handwriting (Smithsonian guide)This brief pdf document includes abbreviations that were commonly used in the past for names and words.
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Handwriting Helps (FamilySearch)Chart of letters and common formations.
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How to decipher unfamiliar handrwiting: a short introduction to palaeography (pdf)Guide from Natural History Museum (London) which includes illustrations.
YouTube videos
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How to read old handwritingVideo from Spokane Public Library (approximately 8 minutes).
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How to read old handwritingFrom Ancestral Findings (approximately 4 minutes).
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Reading old handwritingVideo of an online session from the Library of Virginia (approximately 44 minutes).
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Learning to read old handwritingRecorded webinar video from Brigham Young University's Harold B. Lee Library (approximately 1 hour).