Code in a Non-Conformist Register

[Storm™]

Runes are split into Futharks. Each age has it's own Futhark. Their my speciality but no it's not runic in the Nordic sense.

[Marmaduke 123]

Amazing! I've never seen anything like this. I have seen things in registers which were tittletattle, or the writers own opinion of the person who had died. My guess is that this is something scandalous about the person , or their family.

Anne

[Ruskie]

Nothing obvious comes up when googling "monk code" (no images anyway) - look forward to what you can dig up Storm. 

[Wiggy]

I had to look up Futhark - the definition was not helpful! 

 But thanks for hitting that suggestion out of play - one less possibility to think about - a nice clear NO is very helpful!

Wiggy     

[JillJ]

How intriguing this is!  The shorthand doesn't look like Pitman to me, at least not the one I learned many moons ago!

Samuel Pepys wrote his famous diaries using the Shelton system and I don't think it's that either; it can be viewed here:

http://www.fireoflondon.org.uk/resources/imagebank/set1/Diary+of+Samuel+Pepys.htm

Jill

[Storm™]

Hahaha I know what you mean. Basically the word could be replaced with alphabet. It's called Futhark because the order of the runes as they are used by Nordic races makes the first few look like the word Futhark. But I am still leaning towards the monk codes. I wish I could remember where I had read it. Till I'm at my PC I won't be able to find it. Sat here at a well known supermarket chain minding the dog while OH fights through the crowds.

[sargie]

To get back to the op, the chap who wrote the register was the Reverend Samuel Say Toms.  I haven't found out why he used code or shorthand, but there are a few mentions of him.
From the Eastern Unitarian site - "Toms was quite a celebrity in Framlingham, and his retirement was marked by a famous dinner in the Crown Hotel.  He is buried in St Michael's churchyard, to the east of the church, beneath a large table tomb that bears witness to the regard in which he was held."

[Storm™]

Right well had a fair rummage online over the last hour,

ruled out several. I have a book, sadly in storage which has these symbols in. Cant get at it until I have a new house. However I think its some form of greek/phoenician. Here is a link which may help the OP but will, having had a quick glance help the second poster. With several symbols matching especially from the greek 800 - 600 BC selection. There would of course be regional differences and also error on the part of the drawer/writer. You find this with rune craft through the ages. Also with runes a square up on its point so it looks like a diamond means farm or enclosure. An X or kiss, means gift. Combine the two and you get a window design. This was known as a bind rune. And literally meant a gift of a farm or house depending on the context. X in fact is why we put kisses at the end of letters. It is a gift to the recipient from us. This may well be the case with this language. Also there is something about the dots I remember as well though I cannot recall it. I suspect the dots change the meaning of the symbol. You will notice that at sentence type intervals there is a slanted semi colon. I have not found this symbol as yet and it may well be that this denotes the end of a sentence. We see the same at the end of text written with italic pens in medieval times. Four little italic diamonds forming a big diamond. End of passage. We use this even today to terminate something.

Ill keep looking but it may well be a good place to start.

Here: http://members.peak.org/~jeremy/dictionary/chapters/pix/alphabet.gif

[netti]

thanks Storm, I have sent it to a friend who studied Greek, will let you all know what she says!