The Advanced Genealogy Class

Homework: Week Two: Paleography

Visit the website " Martha Ballard's Diary Online" and try your hand at transcribing the page from Martha Ballard's diary.

There's a wonderful online course edited by Andrew Zurcher, English Handwriting 1500-1700. Practice your transcription expertise on Lesson 9: Mermelate of Quinces.

Browse the web for other examples of handwriting. If you visit either of the following, you may be glad your genealogical research has not extended too far into the past.
The "Great Isaiah Scroll Directory"
"The Charrette Project: Chretien de Troyes"

Review your own records. If you have a document you have had difficulty understanding, try some of the techniques discussed in class and see if you are more successful.