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Author Topic: help reading 16thC will  (Read 1346 times)

Offline Miriam

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help reading 16thC will
« on: Friday 28 January 05 12:27 GMT (UK) »
Hello all!

I download a will from 1583 earlier, and unsurprisingly, it's terribly hard to read! The actual scan is very good, the handwriting is just.. well, I'm sure you can imagine. It's not a particularly long will but I'm desperate to see what it says, so if anyone would like to help me just say and I can send you the file!

Thank you!
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Offline legs11

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Re: help reading 16thC will
« Reply #1 on: Friday 28 January 05 12:32 GMT (UK) »
will be happy to oblige, will give it a go
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Offline JillJ

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Re: help reading 16thC will
« Reply #2 on: Friday 28 January 05 15:41 GMT (UK) »
Hi Miriam,

I'll give it a go - without promises!  I'll p.m. you my email address.

Jill

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Offline JAP

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Re: help reading 16thC will
« Reply #3 on: Saturday 29 January 05 00:35 GMT (UK) »
Deciphering old Wills (or other old documents) can be a fun challenge.

A good site for anyone who is interested in learning how to decipher old writing is:
http://www.scottishhandwriting.com/

While this is specifically geared towards deciphering old Scottish documents, I've found it just as useful for English Wills.  It really helps one to become familiar with the way in which letters were shaped, especially by users of Secretary Hand.

There's also an absolutely brilliant online course (if you really want to take it seriously) at:
http://www.english.cam.ac.uk/ceres/ehoc/

Judy

Offline MarieC

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Re: help reading 16thC will
« Reply #4 on: Saturday 29 January 05 08:13 GMT (UK) »
Miriam

I've recently been helped on Rootschat to decipher a will.  If you haven't got enough helpers, I'll have a look (with no promises!)  Put a message here if you would like this and I'll pm you my email address.

MarieC
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Offline Marc100

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Re: help reading 16thC will
« Reply #5 on: Sunday 13 February 05 11:48 GMT (UK) »
Dear all,

Sorry to gatecrash this thread but I have the same request as Miriam. I have 2 wills that I have 'attempted' to transcribe, 80% complete, dated 1548 & 1557.  Some sections don't make grammatical sense, which probably means I am at the stage where I am making words up.

If anybody would be willing to help then please contact me and I will email scanned copies plus my transcriptions.

Best wishes

Marc.

PS: What file size should the copies be?
Surname - Ide
Area - Sussex

Offline JAP

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Re: help reading 16thC will
« Reply #6 on: Sunday 13 February 05 12:20 GMT (UK) »
Hello Marc!

I'd love to try!

I feel a bit loth to offer to transcribe whole wills but this sounds like much more of an interesting challenge given that you have an already "near complete" transcription!

I'm currently battling on with a Scottish one from 1618 - such scrawly writing you never did see!  Even where I know what the words *must* be I can't actually see them.

My email address is (I'll put at for @ and dot for .):
japhilipatozemaildotcomdotau

If you send direct I don't think file sizes matter - I have broadband.

Best regards,

Judy
PS: I'm sorry but I won't be familiar with the region you are researching.

Offline Marc100

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Re: help reading 16thC will
« Reply #7 on: Sunday 13 February 05 12:26 GMT (UK) »
Thanks.

I need to go and get them scanned as my scanners broke. I'll do this within an hour and send them off.

Thanks again.

Marc.
Surname - Ide
Area - Sussex

Offline JAP

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Re: help reading 16thC will
« Reply #8 on: Sunday 13 February 05 12:44 GMT (UK) »
Hiya Marc,

No hurry!

I'm in the Antipodes - so won't be looking again for at least another eight or so hours!

Judy
(it's currently about 23:15 Sunday 13th here in Adelaide)
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