
If you’ve ever tried to read a centuries-old document, you know that older handwriting can feel like trying to crack a secret code. Letters swirl into unfamiliar shapes, words seem like puzzles, and sometimes, entire sentences can leave you scratching your head. Welcome to the world of palaeography—the art of reading older handwriting. For genealogists, mastering palaeography is a crucial skill that allows you to unlock historical records and uncover the stories hidden within.
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What Is Palaeography?
Palaeography is the study of historical handwriting. The word comes from the Greek “palaios,” meaning “old,” and “grapho,” meaning “to write.” It’s not just about reading old letters, though—palaeography also includes understanding the context in which the documents were written, the materials used, and the cultural influences on writing styles.
For genealogists, palaeography is an essential tool. Historical documents like wills, parish records, land deeds, and letters are often handwritten, and being able to decipher these records can reveal crucial details about your ancestors. However, handwriting has changed significantly over the centuries, and the way people wrote 300 years ago can be drastically different from what we’re used to today.
Why Handwriting Changes Over Time
Handwriting styles evolve with cultural shifts, changes in education, and the tools people use to write. In the past, writing styles were influenced by whether someone was writing with a quill, pen, or pencil. Moreover, different regions and social classes often had their own distinct styles. For example, legal documents might use a highly stylized script, while everyday writing—like a farmer’s letter—might be more simple and straightforward.
Understanding these variations is key to becoming proficient in palaeography, but don’t worry—you don’t need to become an expert overnight. With practice, you’ll start to recognize patterns and styles that make older handwriting easier to interpret.
Recognizing Common Historical Handwriting Styles
Before you start deciphering older documents, it helps to be familiar with some of the most common handwriting styles used in historical records. Here are a few you’re likely to encounter in genealogical research:
Copperplate
Copperplate is known for its flowing, elegant strokes and uniform letters. It was commonly used in official documents, certificates, and formal writing from the 16th to the 19th centuries. Copperplate was typically written with a quill, giving it those signature sweeping loops.
You’ll recognize Copperplate by its well-formed, graceful letters. However, sometimes it’s too graceful—so much so that certain letters blend into one another, making them tricky to read at first glance. If you’re working with marriage or birth records from the 18th century, Copperplate is probably the style you’re dealing with.
Secretary Hand
Popular in England from the 16th to 17th centuries, Secretary Hand is a more compact, spidery script. You’ll often find it in legal records and correspondence from that period. This style is notorious for its use of abbreviations and distinctive letter shapes—some letters don’t look anything like what we’re used to today!
The trick with Secretary Hand is to become familiar with its quirks, like the way it writes the letter “r” or how certain vowels are formed. Once you spot these patterns, reading Secretary Hand becomes much more manageable.
Italic Hand
Italic hand emerged during the Renaissance and was considered a more legible alternative to Secretary Hand. It has a slanted, flowing appearance and was often used in personal writing and correspondence. If you’re lucky enough to be reading something in Italic, you’ll find it easier to navigate than the more ornate Copperplate or the quirky Secretary Hand.
Tips for Deciphering Difficult Handwriting
No matter the style, reading older handwriting can be a challenge. But with a few tricks up your sleeve, you’ll be able to tackle even the most cryptic documents. Here are some practical tips to help you get started:
Transcribe What You Can
Start by transcribing the document—writing down the words exactly as you see them. Don’t worry if you can’t read every letter or word right away. Focus on what you can decipher and work your way through the document. Transcribing not only helps you get familiar with the handwriting but also lets you see how certain letters are used repeatedly.
Compare Letters Across the Document
Sometimes, the key to understanding one word lies in another. If a letter or word is unclear in one part of the document, try comparing it to other words you’ve already figured out. For example, if you’ve identified the word “father” and are unsure about an “f” in another word, compare the two. Writers are usually consistent in their letter forms, so matching letters throughout the document can help unlock tricky sections.
Learn Common Abbreviations
In older documents, abbreviations were often used to save space or time, especially in legal and church records. Understanding these abbreviations will make reading these documents much easier. For instance, “bn” might stand for “born,” and “dau” for “daughter.” There are many online resources that list common genealogical abbreviations, so keeping a reference guide handy is a good idea.
Using Technology to Aid Palaeography
While learning to read older handwriting is an art, modern technology can lend a helping hand. You don’t have to struggle through faded or difficult text alone—here are a few tools that can assist you along the way:
Magnification Tools
Old documents can be small, and the ink might have faded over time, making certain sections hard to read. A magnifying glass or a magnification tool on your phone or computer can make a huge difference when trying to make out faint or tiny writing.
Image Editing Software
If you’re working with a digital image of a document, use photo-editing software to adjust the contrast, brightness, or sharpness. Sometimes, tweaking these settings can make faded writing easier to decipher. Many genealogists swear by this simple trick for bringing out text that was nearly invisible at first glance.
Online Palaeography Resources
There are many online resources dedicated to teaching palaeography. Websites like the UK National Archives offer free tutorials where you can practice reading different styles of historical handwriting. These resources often include examples from various time periods and regions, helping you become familiar with different scripts.
Patience and Persistence: The Keys to Palaeography
It’s easy to get frustrated when reading old handwriting, especially when the letters start to blur together. But like any skill, palaeography takes practice and patience. Some documents will be easy to read, while others will test your resolve—but don’t let that stop you. Each document you crack will boost your confidence and give you the tools to tackle even tougher ones.
Take Breaks When You Need To
Sometimes, stepping away from a challenging document can help. After all, staring at old handwriting for too long can make everything start to look the same. Take a break, clear your mind, and come back with fresh eyes. Often, you’ll find that the difficult word or phrase suddenly makes sense once you’ve had some time away from it.
Work with Other Genealogists
Genealogists are a supportive bunch, and working with others can help when you’re stumped by a particularly tricky document. Many online genealogy forums, like those on Facebook or Reddit, are full of people who are happy to help decipher old handwriting. You might even learn new tips and tricks from others who have tackled similar documents.










