During the nineteenth century there was a move away from regular styles of handwriting, subsequently individuals developed their own styles which makes Victorian handwriting very challenging. The traditional method of teaching palaeography – literally “old writing” in Greek – concentrates on recognising established letter forms but Victorians did not write in this way. This course is designed to help participants develop the skills needed to read 19th and early 20th century documents with an emphasis on records useful for family history.   

The first session will be an introductory presentation on the techniques to use in deciphering unfamiliar handwriting which is illustrated with worked examples. The second will look at reading the 1851 census which has more details of interest to genealogists than the earlier 1841 census. This session will also introduce the tools that can be used to make on-line documents easier to read and give participants their first transcription exercise. The third and fourth sessions will cover reading the census from 1861-1921 and developing transcription skills. The independent transcription exercises involve participants working on transcriptions with feedback from the tutor. The remaining two sessions will provide facilitated practical transcription exercises using parish registers and family correspondence to give you confidence in reading Victorian handwriting.   

Participants are invited to provide, in advance of the course, copies of documents from their collections that they have difficulty reading so that they can be incorporated into the exercises.  

Recordings available until 31 July. Pre-booking essential.

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