Genealogy Chat

I have just found a will on the national archive site for my gggg grandfather dated 1787 proved 1807 but I am having a lot of trouble reading it. Is there anyone out there who can read old handwriting?

I am usually quite reasonable aat this sort of thing and would not mind giving it a go. I will pm you my e-mail, but I probably won't be able to look at it till morning. Dea x

Thankyou very much Dea. I was quite excited when I found the will and then felt a bit deflated when I couldn't actually read it.

I have a couple of the Ariel wills from Bristol. They are written in the old text. Early 1800s. Also have them typed. So if you get stuck, I could scan a couple of pages of both types and you might be able to work it out. A friend has done that with one of hers, but another had completely different lettering.

Annie, there is a free course that you can do on the National Archives website ... pause to see if I can find it.... http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/palaeography/ Might help. Kate.

Nearly there Annie Just typing it out for you now but have to give my eyes a 'little rest' !!!!!! It will be with you later today. Dea x

On it's way !! Dea Xxx

Annie - Have you received it? Dea x

A very big cyber thankyou Dea, I have just finished work and come back and found it. iIhope it did not strain your eyes too much. I felt guilty as it was such a hot day. Now why did he leave his liquor barrels and contents to his daughter rather than his son. I will have to find who Mr. Kelson was. So many loose ends if you could only go back in time and ask them.

No Annie - the liquor barrels went to his son, along with his silver tankard etc. Dea Xxx (One problem sorted eh ?)

I suppose that is one definition of a gentleman. I found a marriage entry for Samuel Palmer (the son) where his father's occupation is given as yeoman and gentleman.