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Old Photographs, Recognition, Handwriting Deciphering => Handwriting Deciphering & Recognition => Topic started by: Riddlebrick on Tuesday 03 February 09 09:49 GMT (UK)

Title: Handwriting Help
Post by: Riddlebrick on Tuesday 03 February 09 09:49 GMT (UK)
Hello

Attached is the parish christening record for Helen Skene in 1804, I am trying to decipher what the names of the parents are, it looks like the father is James but not too sure on the mothers name, looks like Al? and I can't work out the maiden surname.

Can anyone assist ?

Thanks

Emma

Title: Re: Handwriting Help
Post by: lizdb on Tuesday 03 February 09 09:52 GMT (UK)
Looks like James and Al Davidson, with dots after the Al implying it is an abbreviaiton.

So could be Alice?
Title: Re: Handwriting Help
Post by: lizdb on Tuesday 03 February 09 09:55 GMT (UK)
On second look - are they the parents? It says "witnesses"
Title: Re: Handwriting Help
Post by: Riddlebrick on Tuesday 03 February 09 10:03 GMT (UK)
Hmm, not sure. 
The start if the record says Al Skene (not sure of the next word/s) had a daughter (not sure of the next word/s) named Helen. 

So this Al, could be different to the one on the end.

Emma
Title: Re: Handwriting Help
Post by: PaulineJ on Tuesday 03 February 09 10:07 GMT (UK)
Could word #3 be the village/hamlet "Craig.."

Pauline
Title: Re: Handwriting Help
Post by: Riddlebrick on Tuesday 03 February 09 10:14 GMT (UK)
Pauline

Yes that would be Craig, just looked at the whole page.  I also believe that Helens son  was born in Craig so that makes sense.
Title: Re: Handwriting Help
Post by: JAP on Tuesday 03 February 09 10:54 GMT (UK)
It seems to read:
Al: Skene Craig Ley had a daughter Bap
tized Named Helen Witnesses: James & Al: Davidson

The batch on the IGI has several baptisms with just the father's name - Al SKENE.

But there is one which might give a further clue:
Catharine SKENE, 1814, parents Alexr SKENE & Elizabeth DINNIE

JAP
Title: Re: Handwriting Help
Post by: Riddlebrick on Tuesday 03 February 09 11:24 GMT (UK)
JAP

Thanks, I'll have a look at that.

Emma