{"id":4162,"date":"2013-07-23T19:53:48","date_gmt":"2013-07-23T19:53:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.genealogybank.com\/?p=4162"},"modified":"2021-04-06T10:36:30","modified_gmt":"2021-04-06T14:36:30","slug":"deciphering-19th-century-handwriting-and-type-in-records-newspapers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.genealogybank.com\/blog\/deciphering-19th-century-handwriting-and-type-in-records-newspapers.html","title":{"rendered":"Deciphering 19th Century Handwriting and Type in Records & Newspapers"},"content":{"rendered":"

19th Century newspapers and handwritten records (such as the census) can be hard to read.<\/p>\n

If you are having difficulty deciphering the handwriting or type, read through the issue of a newspaper or page in the census to see if other words on the page can give you clues to the editor\u2019s or census taker\u2019s writing style.<\/p>\n

For example: here we have Eliza Markham living with her husband and family in Gerry, Chautauqua County, New York, as recorded in the 1855 New York State Census.<\/p>\n

\"photo<\/a>
Credit: FamilySearch.org
1855 New York State Census
https:\/\/familysearch.org\/pal:\/MM9.1.1\/K6SG-7SG<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Look carefully at the handwritten entry for Eliza Markham.<\/p>\n

\"photo<\/a>
Credit: FamilySearch.org
1855 New York State Census
https:\/\/familysearch.org\/pal:\/MM9.1.1\/K6SG-7SG<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Is her name \u201cEliza\u201d or \u201cEleru\u201d?<\/p>\n

Is this a 19th Century name you\u2019re not familiar with\u2014or is it simply a handwriting style you don\u2019t recognize?<\/p>\n

Not so simple is it?<\/p>\n

As you look at each handwritten letter in her name, you have to think through the options. Some letters are easier to read then others.<\/p>\n

What you want to do is to carefully review the other words on the page to become more familiar with the census taker\u2019s handwriting.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s examine each letter in this name:<\/p>\n