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Old Photographs, Recognition, Handwriting Deciphering => Handwriting Deciphering & Recognition => Topic started by: Seoras on Monday 04 July 11 00:18 BST (UK)

Title: Coalman or boatman
Post by: Seoras on Monday 04 July 11 00:18 BST (UK)
Is Wm Gibb a coalman.That's what I thought it said but the first letter resembles that in 'born'.Also if it is coalman,would it be delivering coal,if it was mining wouldn't it say collier.This is from 1721.
Title: Re: Coalman or boatman
Post by: youngtug on Monday 04 July 11 00:31 BST (UK)
Looks like boatman to me.
Title: Re: Coalman or boatman
Post by: Seoras on Monday 04 July 11 00:54 BST (UK)
Thanks Youngtug,it is on the Firth of Forth so would make sense.I held that info back,didn't want to influence your decision ;)
Title: Re: Coalman or boatman
Post by: silvervista on Monday 04 July 11 01:53 BST (UK)
A vote for boatman from here too.  Check out the C in the preceding entry, then look at the b's -- definitely a difference.
Title: Re: Coalman or boatman
Post by: Seoras on Monday 04 July 11 02:01 BST (UK)
Cheers silvervista,I've had a look at the rest of the whole page and it is looking as if it is a B.
Title: Re: Coalman or boatman
Post by: SherlockBones on Monday 04 July 11 03:15 BST (UK)
Gotta go the boatman.


Jon
Title: Re: Coalman or boatman
Post by: veeblevort on Monday 04 July 11 05:45 BST (UK)
Believe it's boatman - a bit ambiguous because the writer does not cross 't's, but
'l's are written with a loop, and no loop in this word. Also, the first letter matches
the 'b' in 'born' very closely.

vv.
Title: Re: Coalman or boatman
Post by: Wiggy on Monday 04 July 11 06:11 BST (UK)
Another vote for 'boatman'  - (before I looked to see what others thought!!)

Wiggy   :)
Title: Re: Coalman or boatman
Post by: carol8353 on Monday 04 July 11 08:19 BST (UK)
Believe it's boatman - a bit ambiguous because the writer does not cross 't's, but
'l's are written with a loop, and no loop in this word. Also, the first letter matches
the 'b' in 'born' very closely.

vv.

That's exactly what I was going to say- look at the b in 'born',same as the b in 'boatman'  ;D
Title: Re: Coalman or boatman
Post by: Seoras on Monday 04 July 11 11:21 BST (UK)
Thanks for your input everyone,a boatman he was then.Wonder if he delivered coal in this boat ;D