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Old Photographs, Recognition, Handwriting Deciphering => Handwriting Deciphering & Recognition => Topic started by: Ladyfing on Friday 11 December 15 09:38 GMT (UK)

Title: Signature comparison 're: J Kerslake jnr as witness and groom.
Post by: Ladyfing on Friday 11 December 15 09:38 GMT (UK)
Parish Register for marriage, Sept 21 1794, between JOHN KERSLAKE widower and BETTY SEARLE widow, Ide, Devon, original page number 27. Looking at the second witness signature, JOHN KERSLAKE JUN.

Parish register for marriage between JOHN KERSLAKE and FRANCES TAYLOR Exeter St Thomas, Devon, Feb 8 (?) 1801, original page number 216. Groom signature, JOHN KERSLAKE.

I am using a Kindle HD and do not have access to either a desk top, lap top or a printer and wondered if anyone could take a look at the originals (FindMyPast) and compare the two signatures. I think the signature of the first name of the witness in 1794 looks very much like the signature of the first name of the groom of 1801. I know the K in Kerslake looks similar but both 'r' and 's' are different....
I am going cross eyed flipping screens.

I am happy for anyone and everyone's input.

Thank you
Lady

Title: Re: Signature comparison 're: J Kerslake jnr as witness and groom.
Post by: DavidG02 on Friday 11 December 15 09:49 GMT (UK)
Its always hard to judge signatures over the years and in this case from teenager to adult.

Saying that I would agree that the signatures have similar features and one not similar

The Js look to be similar and even the shaping of the name John. If you overlayed the 2 I think you would have a close match

The K in Kerslake also looks to be an extreme version of a K and in both cases they have similar tendencies.

The only issue for me would be the L in Lake. The earlier one is looped whereas the marriage one isn't. Minor point and easily explained as one from a youth and one as an adult.

All in all I would be comfortable adding this record to my tree. ( if this was the last nail )
Title: Re: Signature comparison 're: J Kerslake jnr as witness and groom.
Post by: DavidG02 on Friday 11 December 15 09:54 GMT (UK)
Here are the 2 snips
Title: Re: Signature comparison 're: J Kerslake jnr as witness and groom.
Post by: Ladyfing on Friday 11 December 15 12:54 GMT (UK)
Here are the 2 snips

Hi David,

Thank you so much for taking the time to take a look at the signatures and special thanks for posting the examples.

I believe the young Kerslake is to be found in Ides parish register for a baptism on 21 January 1770, parents John and Elizabeth Kerslake. I also found a marriage for John Kerslake and Elizabeth Tucker of Ide in the same register by banns, on 27 Jan 1764.
The pieces certainly seem to fit and now you have also confirmed what I see, namely the same 'characters' that are alike and those that are not.

I shall intermittently look further for any other possible signatures for comparison of John jun as a marriage witness in either Ide and Exeter but in the meantime I agree with you, based upon the signatures and the Ide register entries of 1764 and 1770, I am more than happy to add this record to my tree.

Grateful thanks again David.

Lady
Title: Re: Signature comparison 're: J Kerslake jnr as witness and groom.
Post by: Wiggy on Friday 18 December 15 23:08 GMT (UK)
Interesting that the second example the person is using the old fashinged tall 's' in Kerslake whereas on the first snip both Kerslake signatures are with the short 's' as we would sign it.

Wiggy 
Title: Re: Signature comparison 're: J Kerslake jnr as witness and groom.
Post by: Treetotal on Saturday 19 December 15 14:07 GMT (UK)
Its always hard to judge signatures over the years and in this case from teenager to adult.

Saying that I would agree that the signatures have similar features and one not similar

The Js look to be similar and even the shaping of the name John. If you overlayed the 2 I think you would have a close match

The K in Kerslake also looks to be an extreme version of a K and in both cases they have similar tendencies.

The only issue for me would be the L in Lake. The earlier one is looped whereas the marriage one isn't. Minor point and easily explained as one from a youth and one as an adult.

All in all I would be comfortable adding this record to my tree. ( if this was the last nail )


Yes I would agree that there are enough similarities to be convinced that they are the same had many years apart..the formation of the "Ks" in particular are quite distinct and have changed little over time.
So it's a yes from me too  ;)
Carol