The current debate about whether cursive writing will be taught in schools or not has brought up the question, will people in the next generation or so be able to write? And if they can’t write, will they be able to read old handwriting?
We often have a hard time reading the handwriting in courthouse records, family letters, and other documents. I learned to read difficult handwriting due to some relatives, my godmother and some co-workers.
The October-December issue of the National Genealogical Society Magazine has a short article by Susan Zacharias that points readers to several websites where there are tutorials and other guides to deciphering various types of handwriting. There are nine steps for deciphering handwriting at http://wikihow.com/Read-Old-Handwriting, which covers basic tips for transcribing, and various tips including the old practice of an "s" looking like an "f" that confuses modern folk. For those wanting tutorials about different languages, check Script Tutorials at http://script.byu.edu/. This site has a great English tutorial, with others for other languages under development. It is worth checking out.
There are also books on the subject that can be found via a Google search or going to a major genealogical publisher. It is always important that if you can’t read something well enough in an old document that you leave a blank and get another opinion or two, if the word or phrase is important.
Identity theft and genealogy
A recent discussion on Dick Eastman’s free online newsletter, which any serious genealogist ought to subscribe to, centered on whether or not people should be giving their mother’s real maiden name when asked to do so for “security purposes.”
I stopped doing that a decade ago after a major identity theft was launched against me. Eastman himself uses a word he made up. Others suggested picking another ancestor. While we don’t know how many crooks are astute enough to use genealogy sources to root out such information, why take the chance? Check out his newsletter and sign up; just search for “Eastman’s Online Genealogy Newsletter.”
Webinars are worth attending
Make it your New Year's resolution to sign up and attend an online lecture known as a "webinar." Many groups are hosting them. The Georgia Genealogical Society will schedule one for 8 p.m. on the third Wednesday of each month. Check the society's website to learn how to register at www.gagensociety.org and go to GGS Events. It's free; limited to the first 100 registrants.
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