I LOVE DOCUMENTS! Documents are treasures that are undeniably unique. For they tell a story that may have been silent for years or even centuries. When you find, and read them, you awaken a new whole world that once was asleep. A new light can be shinned upon them and doors opened as we peek into the past. We may never find the entire life story of our ancestors but so much can be glistened from them, as we dig down deep in the piles of papers, books, pictures and miscellaneous items. Yet they bring just enough to life for us to know those that still impact us today. When I find excel spreadsheets or indexes I’m thrilled to find them. For they help me in the search for the actual documents that are the real treasures. I don’t rely on the indexes and excel spreadsheets by no means. They are just a clue in search for that real treasure. You must remember that indexes and excel spreadsheets are created by those that are wanting to help you, which is great. But just with anything that is created by humans, there can be errors that can lead you in the wrong direction. So, do not solely base your research on indexes or excel spreadsheets. For the documents are what holds the true answers you search for! So, when we find a handwritten document, a new quest begins. Deciphering. Deciphering the scripts. Where do you start? And how do you start? Paleography is the study of old handwriting. We all deal with old handwriting at some point in our genealogical research. The handwriting of the 1700s does not match that of today’s handwriting. Then add in the aspect of writing styles of different cultures. For example: Mexicans and Germans do not write their letters the same way. Now add in the style that individuals may have added in to be different. Uniqueness! Here is a list of websites to visit that can help you be a great detective in deciphering the old script documents. FamilySearch Handwriting Tutorials Making sense of Old Handwriting (English, German, Dutch, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian and Latin) National Archives: Reading Old Documents List of Paleographic Resources (MS Word) Latin Language and Script Oldest Hebrew Script and Language Paleo Hebrew Alphabet Irish (Gaeilge) Once you take the time to go through the tutorials that best suits your needs, then the task of deciphering your documents begins. Happy Hunting for documents and Good Luck on the deciphering.
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Penny Alvarez-KellerGraduated from Arkansas Tech University with a degree in Management / Marketing and a degree in Economics / Finance Archives
February 2023
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