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Scotland (Counties as in 1851-1901) => Scotland => Topic started by: Georgiec on Saturday 11 October 08 19:36 BST (UK)

Title: Secretary's Hand
Post by: Georgiec on Saturday 11 October 08 19:36 BST (UK)
I have a will written in Secretary's Hand.  I have tried to transcribe it with help from various websites but to no avail.  Could anyone advise me as to where I could help with the transcription.

Title: Re: Secretary's Hand
Post by: Little Nell on Saturday 11 October 08 21:43 BST (UK)
How old is it?  And how long is it?

Presumably it contains some good Scottish words - have you tried this site?

http://www.scottishhandwriting.com/

I've done lots of wills in secretary hand, but mostly English ones.  The Scots ones have a certain - shall we say difference - about them.

Nell
Title: Re: Secretary's Hand
Post by: Georgiec on Monday 13 October 08 20:33 BST (UK)
Hi Nell,

Many thanks for the reply.  I have tried that site but I think it really needs someone who has experience.  It is dated 1707 and is for a James Gibson who was captain of the Rising Sun boat which sunk on return from the Darian Expedition.  His brother was Walter Gibson who was provost of Glasgow.  I have found that my Gibson side of the family were related to Baron Rowallan's ancestors and in his book he refers to this Walter and James Gibson.  My aim with the will is to try and pick out names mentioned and the relationship, not all the details.  I think that the whole will is about 3and a quarter pages.  I wondered if there are people out there that transcribe for a living.

Georgina
Title: Re: Secretary's Hand
Post by: Little Nell on Monday 13 October 08 21:30 BST (UK)
Quote
I wondered if there are people out there that transcribe for a living.

Oh yes, plenty.  They advertise in the family history magazines frequently.  I just do it for fun, although I have to admit that the names can be the hardest, but they are sometimes the most important part. :-\

Nell

Title: Re: Secretary's Hand
Post by: Georgiec on Tuesday 14 October 08 18:26 BST (UK)
Hi Nell,

Many thanks for the help.  I will have a look in the magazines and see if I can find someone reasonable.  Never thought to look there.  Had tried on the internet but with no luck.

Thanks again.

Georgina
Title: Re: Secretary's Hand
Post by: jimbinnie on Thursday 30 October 08 16:45 GMT (UK)
Hi Georgina,

I noticed your e/mail mentioning that you are in possession of the last will and testament of Captain James Gibson of the ship Rising Sun which was lost off Carolina.  I am presently researching Captain Gibson and his brother Walter Gibson and am very interested in the information on the will as it may mention several interesting details useful to my article which I hope soon to publish.  Please let me know if I can be of any help.

Best wishes

Jim Binnie
Title: Re: Secretary's Hand
Post by: Berlin-Bob on Thursday 30 October 08 18:05 GMT (UK)
Hi Georgina,

You can find some topics on Secretary hand under Old handwriting in the
RootsChat Reference Library (http://surname.rootschat.com/lexicon/index.php) => Lexicon (click here) (http://surname.rootschat.com/lexicon/reflib-lexicon.php?letter=O)
(Tip: click on a category - on the right - for related topics)

Perhaps you will find some useful tips there.

Good luck,
Bob
Title: Re: Secretary's Hand
Post by: Sheila M on Thursday 30 October 08 18:43 GMT (UK)
I don't know if this is any help to you, but I work for a firm of solicitors and I'm used to reading old documents.  If your document is scannable I could have a go at transcribing it for you.
Title: Re: Secretary's Hand
Post by: Georgiec on Sunday 02 November 08 14:08 GMT (UK)
Hi Bob,

Thanks for that information.  I will try it.
Title: Re: Secretary's Hand
Post by: Georgiec on Sunday 02 November 08 14:14 GMT (UK)
Hi Sheila and Jim,

I have sent you personal messages which give you my e-mail address.  Many thanks for your interest.
Title: Re: Secretary's Hand
Post by: Sheila M on Sunday 02 November 08 17:37 GMT (UK)
Hi Georgina

I've e-mailed you back so you should now have my address to send your scanned document.

Sheila
Title: Re: Secretary's Hand
Post by: Georgiec on Sunday 02 November 08 18:12 GMT (UK)
Hi Sheila,

Have sent you the document this afternoon.  Hope you have received it.

Title: Re: Secretary's Hand
Post by: Sheila M on Monday 03 November 08 20:06 GMT (UK)
Hi Georgie

I have and I'm looking forward to trying to work out what it says!  I'll be able to do it this week  I think.

Sheila
Title: Re: Secretary's Hand
Post by: Georgiec on Monday 03 November 08 20:20 GMT (UK)
Hi Sheila,

I am quite excited at what you may find out.  Thanks again for taking the trouble to look at it, I know it is difficult.

Georgina
Title: Re: Secretary's Hand
Post by: Georgiec on Monday 03 November 08 20:24 GMT (UK)
Hi Jim,

Have sent you a personal message, hope you received it.  Would you like me to send you the transcript of the will of Walter's son Andrew.  May give you some info you need.

Georgina
Title: Re: Secretary's Hand
Post by: jimbinnie on Tuesday 04 November 08 08:53 GMT (UK)
Hi Georgina,

Got your message thanks.  Yes please send me the transcript of the will it would be much appreciated.  I hope the article I sent you on Walter Gibson was of use to you.

Best wishes

Jim
Title: Re: Secretary's Hand
Post by: x46pcs on Monday 09 March 09 21:42 GMT (UK)
I have just come across the correspondence about the Gibsons.

My ggggm was Margaret Steel Gibson of the Gibson of Hillhead family.  I knew the Gibson had been owners of a great deal of land in Hillhead, Glasgow and that one of their ancestors was Provost alter Gibson. I would love any links to fill my gap.

John
Title: Re: Secretary's Hand
Post by: Georgiec on Tuesday 10 March 09 17:53 GMT (UK)
Hi John,

Have sent you a personal message.  Hope you get it OK.

Georgina
Title: Re: Secretary's Hand
Post by: x46pcs on Tuesday 10 March 09 17:58 GMT (UK)
Thanks yes.

I've responded.


(John Gibson     c1770)
(James G             c1790                     = Jessie Wilson c1795)
(Mary Steel G    1825-1898            = John Dougan 1823-1884)
(Jessie Wilson Dougan                   =Robert Campbell
                                1864-1906            1861-1919)
(Mary Gibson Campbell                                =Peter Mitchell
                                1889-1947            1881-1956)
(John Mitchell                                   =Nell Keay
                                1911-1974            1917-1993)
(john Mitchell (ME) 1945              = Irene Brydon 1945.
Title: Re: Secretary's Hand
Post by: philipb on Monday 23 March 09 13:37 GMT (UK)
Hi John,

Have sent you a personal message.  Hope you get it OK.

Georgina

Hi Georgina,
I just wanted to congratulate you on your work on the family tree, mum (Margaret) showed me at the weekend and it made for some very interesting reading, I found a copy of the patent of what i think is Bobs buttering machine, let me know if you need it and i'll send it to you.
Keep up the good work.

Phil.
Title: Re: Secretary's Hand
Post by: Georgiec on Monday 23 March 09 14:00 GMT (UK)
Hi Phil,

Have sent you a personal message with my e-mail address.  I would like to see the patent of dad's buttering machine.  I knew he had made one but have never seen the patent.  The date of it would be interesting too.

Georgie