Guides: Primary Sources (U.S. History): Reading and Transcribing Original Documents

How to Read Old Style Documents/Writing?

Reading old documents can be very challenging. Lettering styles and spelling can seem foreign when compared to today's writing and spelling. Visit the links below for guidance and practice on becoming proficient at reading old documents.

Paleography: Reading Old Handwriting 1500-1800, A Practical Online Tutorial
"Palaeography is the study of old handwriting. This web tutorial will help you learn to read the handwriting found in documents written in English between 1500 and 1800."
English Handwriting 1500-1700: An Online Course
"This resource has been designed for students and scholars of early modern English letters, history, theology, and philosophy--for anyone whose research will embrace original English manuscript sources in this period. Drawing on the rich manuscript holdings of some of the older Cambridge colleges, it presents an extensive archive of manuscript images unparalleled in printed guides and introductions. Joined to this you will find a range of pedagogical materials--transcription conventions, tips on dating, a bibliography and list of links--suitable for beginners, but convenient also for continuing reference."
How to Decipher Unfamiliar Handwriting
From the Natural History Museum Archives, this guide offers techniques, tips, resources and practice documents that will help you develop your paleography skills.
National Archive Palaeopgrahy Ducking Stool Game
Have fun trying to reading old world handwriting while trying to save a 17th century woman from the ducking stool. If you transcribe the words incorrectly, she will be lowered closer to the water. Transcribe correctly, and you will save her.

How to Transcribe Documents

When transcribing old documents, there are certain guidelines that are usually followed so that transcriptions stay consistent no matter who does the transcribing. Below are the basic rules of transcribing to get you started.