RootsChat.Com

Old Photographs, Recognition, Handwriting Deciphering => Handwriting Deciphering & Recognition => Topic started by: genieweb on Friday 26 September 14 11:03 BST (UK)

Title: Inventory 1853
Post by: genieweb on Friday 26 September 14 11:03 BST (UK)
Hi,
This is an ancestor's 'inventory' - possessions left after his early death in Calcutta.  It's quite readable except for the lines beginning '2 peacock....' & '2 Turkish....'  Any suggestions please?
Thanks, Genieweb.
Title: Re: Inventory 1853
Post by: clayton bradley on Friday 26 September 14 11:52 BST (UK)
2 Turkish meerschaums and a brass ?? pickdannie
Must be some sort of paraphernalia to go with the pipes. I have tried the OED, but got nowhere, cb
Title: Re: Inventory 1853
Post by: Ruskie on Saturday 27 September 14 01:51 BST (UK)
I think clayton bradley is correct about the pipes:
http://turkishmeerschaumpipes.com/
And it seems likely that a "pickdannie" relates to the pipes. Like cb I can't find anything sensible that it might be.

The peacock 'whatever' has me stumped though ...... It appears to be 'chownes' but I can't find anything online that suggests what peacock chownes are.

I did find the two bottles of cod liver oil amusing.  :)
Title: Re: Inventory 1853
Post by: Kezlyn on Saturday 27 September 14 11:38 BST (UK)
I have found a single reference via Google of a brass "pickdani" which seems to have been a type of spittoon for tobacco juice.

Kez :)

And on further Googling, "pikadani" is Bengali for spittoon :)
Title: Re: Inventory 1853
Post by: Ruskie on Saturday 27 September 14 11:56 BST (UK)
Quote from: Kezlyn on Saturday 27 September 14 11:38 BST (UK)
I have found a single reference via Google of a brass "pickdani" which seems to have been a type of spittoon for tobacco juice.

Kez :)

And on further Googling, "pikadani" is Bengali for spittoon :)

Excellent find Kez!  ;D

Can you work out what the peacock thing is?  ;D
Title: Re: Inventory 1853
Post by: Kezlyn on Saturday 27 September 14 12:11 BST (UK)
A little while ago I came across the Hindi word "jharan" (please excuse my Qwerty keyboard) which I think means "switch", as in a type of broom, but I've lost the reference. I was thinking of those large peacock feather fans you often see in old movies.

I've also been trying to make the "chownes" into "chairs" because peacock chairs are definitely a thing.

Kez :)
Title: Re: Inventory 1853
Post by: durhamgirl73 on Saturday 27 September 14 12:21 BST (UK)
Is it peacock chouries - if you google it has some entries
Title: Re: Inventory 1853
Post by: Flattybasher9 on Saturday 27 September 14 12:57 BST (UK)
Two spellings, Chouries and Chowries, both meaning fans, mainly made from Peacock tail feathers.

Regards

Malky
Title: Re: Inventory 1853
Post by: Ruskie on Saturday 27 September 14 22:35 BST (UK)
Well done durhamgirl and Malky.  ;D

For some reaon these words have been bugging me over the past few days, and I've found myself drawn back to them, but making no progress despite several attempts.

I'm very relieved that the words and meanings have been clarified.

 ;D
Title: Re: Inventory 1853
Post by: genieweb on Monday 29 September 14 10:19 BST (UK)
Hi to Ruskie, Kez, Durham girl, & Malky,
Thank you so much for deciphering these lines, this is a great result, though I'd rather not think about the spittoon!  Peacock feather fans would have been useful in Calcutta.
Thanks again,
Genieweb.    :)  :D  :)  :-*