This five-week course is a light-hearted entry into the world of palaeography.

We will start right at the beginning, looking at letter forms and abbreviations, and then gradually move onto different types of documents. The course is built around documents that genealogists and local historians might use, such as parish and poor law records and school and estate documents, and background to the documents will be given as we go along.

On the way, we will look at numbers, accounting and different record formats. 

Previous attendees have said,

Caroline "was very good at explaining the basic letter forms and how they vary between different time periods and handwriting styles. I also appreciated the handouts, which I can now use after the course to practice on my own!"

"I really enjoyed Caroline's choice of documents for all the sessions and all the tips and social background to each piece. I will never forget the deciphering of the accounts of Anne of Cleves and the significance in the portrait of Henry the VIII's only son and the beautiful hat. Caroline has a very visual, enthusiastic, encouraging and descriptive style of teaching palaeography which has greatly increased my confidence and skills. When I am trying to decipher documents now, I am visualising the letter forms and seeing the "easter egg e's and seagull r's" and it really works. Thank you. The course has opened another skill in my genealogy toolbox which I am certainly going to put into practice."

"She was brilliant at selecting documents that illustrated her points and she really helped. The course was also fun."

• 20% Discount for all Society of Genealogists Members
• Recordings available until 18 March for everyone who pre-books

Click here for information about our events.  Contact events@sog.org.uk if you have any questions.