Early will question. - Genealogists' Forum

HarrysMum · #1 12-02-10, 06:54

This might sound dumb....but here goes...

If I bought a will from from Hawkshead, Lancashire 1613, would it be in English??

Georgette · #2 12-02-10, 07:38

I think it would be Libby, but the style of writing might be difficult to read. This site has some snippets from 16th and early 17th century wills: http://www.btinternet.com/~tylcoat/handwrit.htm to give you an idea.

HarrysMum · #3 12-02-10, 07:50

Thanks Georgette. I think I'll risk it then.

I have one from 1743 which is actually easier to read than a couple of 1800s ones...lol

Mary from Italy · #4 12-02-10, 09:18

I have some Staffordshire deeds from the early 1600s, which are surprisingly easy to read (the hand seems relatively modern), and a couple of Staffs wills from the mid-1600s which are more difficult, but doable once you get used to the style of handwriting.

The ones you get from TNA are often harder to read than the ones you get from record offices, because they're transcribed in that horrible secretary hand or whatever it's called.

The probate part may be in Latin, but the rest is normally in English.

Olde Crone · #5 12-02-10, 09:23

Libby

Most of the Lancashire Wills I have, even the early ones, are written in English, as are most of the other documents I have for Lancashire at that time.

The Lancastrians appeared to have something against Latin, or maybe no scribes could write it, lol.

As the others have said, it may be the handwriting is more of a problem that the language. The Lancashire Records Office have transcribed quite a few of the more difficult ones - they used to be on A2A.

OC

Mary from Italy · #6 12-02-10, 09:25

This manual looks very good - it says it's for Scottish handwriting, but the examples I've looked at look the same as the writing I've seen in English documents:

http://www.scottishhandwriting.com/index.asp

HarrysMum · #7 12-02-10, 17:31

Thank you all.

I'll get a couple and see. I'm going to sort all these bits of paper I have if it kills me.....lol

*****I really need to win the lottery and come over*****

Kit · #8 13-02-10, 01:54

*gets on knees and begs * Can I come too??

HarrysMum · #9 13-02-10, 07:22

Kit................you'd be welcome.

I'll pick up OC on the way as well....she seems to be able to find all sorts of odd bits and pieces in Lancashire...

We might be gone a fair while. Do you mind the bub arriving in the Lakes District????