Shorthand transcription

[londonscorpion]

My mother was a prolific diary keeper, many pages of which contain shorthand. I do not know what kind of shorthand she used so I am attaching a scan of a 1935 dairy page. This page is a bit exceptional in that it's pretty much all shorthand - other pages have a few bits interspersed with normal writing.

Can anybody suggest the best way to get a transcription done.

[Suffolk Mawther]

Everyone has their own style of writing shorthand. Whilst some of the symbols look like Gregg to me, there seems to be a lot of 'thick and thin' which would suggest Pitman. Gregg was based on 'short and long'.

I use a few Gregg words when writing things down quickly, but I have lost most of it now.

Sorry can't be of more help.

SM ...

[redtonyt]

I'm almost certain it's Pitmans shorthand.  I can read some of it, albeit 50 years since I learnt.  Part of it says -

Saturday, 13th - Morris came round and bought birthday present.  I think it was very sweet of him.


Tony's wife

[redtonyt]

Sunday, 7th

Went to Communion in the morning with ..........  Went round to ?'s house.  She was out.  Cards(?) in the afternoon. Took dog for a walk and in the evening ......Mrs Sinclair(?). She said I must go(?)................... I did not see Stanley(?).

[londonscorpion]

Thanks very much for that. My mother was just 20 when that was written.

Any idea where I could get a number of pages ( and a lot of snippets) transcribed?

[redtonyt]

I'm certain  Rootschatters will be able to help as and when they come online.  It is definitely Pitmans shorthand and well written at that, so I don't think it will be too difficult.   I'm happy to 'have a go' and can probably translate more of the diary already posted as I suspect will others.

[HeatherLynne]

Hello, there are a handful of us on Rootschat who enjoy transcribing shorthand and I agree this is Pitman.  If the last squiggle on Sunday 7th is Stanley (and it could well be) then he's mentioned most days    I can't read it all but here's the gist of Tuesday and the first part of Wednesday, maybe some of the others can fill in the blanks

9 Tues : Met up in morning with Stanley also Jill (?)~ she ~ ~ by talking constantly the whole time. Went for a walk with Betty ~ (?)

10 Wed:  Maurice came round in evening with ~ for present. 

Heather

[redtonyt]

10th

Morris came round  with (catalogue) for ......  I was not going to see him but Mum told me not to be silly.   ?  supposed to be coming round but she did not come.

[Greensleeves]

13th Saturday

Longhand:  Jackie invited Morris and I down for picnic.  Hairdressers at 9.30.  Morris unfortunately can't come.
Shorthand:  Morris came round (? with) my birthday present.  I think it was very sweet of him.  Went to tea at .......  ......     (?Farm) Finchley.  Saw Peter talking to Morris.