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Old Photographs, Recognition, Handwriting Deciphering => Handwriting Deciphering & Recognition => Topic started by: mijath on Sunday 19 November 17 23:41 GMT (UK)

Title: The name of Hamlet's wife
Post by: mijath on Sunday 19 November 17 23:41 GMT (UK)
Can anyone tell me the name of the wife of Hamlet Broughill, the first burial in the attached image? Thank you.
Title: Re: The name of Hamlet's wife
Post by: Maiden Stone on Monday 20 November 17 00:01 GMT (UK)
At 1st sight I thought "Priscilla" but letter L in Hamlet and Broughhill have loops. Other examples of capital P on page are different, so it may not be P.
2nd word looks like Arifolo_ or Orifol_. Is the last letter d?
Title: Re: The name of Hamlet's wife
Post by: groom on Monday 20 November 17 00:07 GMT (UK)
Is the first word a name? It looks as if it is the same for the first three entries and possibly the fifth?
Title: Re: The name of Hamlet's wife
Post by: Maiden Stone on Monday 20 November 17 00:22 GMT (UK)
Quote from: groom on Monday 20 November 17 00:07 GMT (UK)
Is the first word a name? It looks as if it is the same for the first three entries and possibly the fifth?
Aha! I was puzzled why she seemed to have 2 names. I only had a quick look before. You are correct IMO.  An entry further down has "Mary dau of...". 1st word of some entries, including Hamlet's wife, may be connected with the rule about being buried in wool. When & where was burial? Are all entries on page burials? They may have ben included with baptisms in early registers. 1st name of the lady in question may be 2nd word on line.
When I saw this query I was tempted to answer "Gertrude". Sorry for levity.
Title: Re: The name of Hamlet's wife
Post by: mijath on Monday 20 November 17 00:45 GMT (UK)
Apologies, I should've said - the first column of words are the localities within the parish - Sutton for the first three and then Eccleston!
Title: Re: The name of Hamlet's wife
Post by: horselydown86 on Monday 20 November 17 02:03 GMT (UK)
First five letters are probably: O-r-f-i-l

However the third letter could possibly be an s.

Then probably an o.

The last letter is difficult.  It may be an e, similar to that on wife following.

So perhaps:  Orfiloe
Title: Re: The name of Hamlet's wife
Post by: Skoosh on Monday 20 November 17 08:43 GMT (UK)
Ashfield?

Skoosh.
Title: Re: The name of Hamlet's wife
Post by: Rattus on Monday 20 November 17 09:18 GMT (UK)
Quote from: horselydown86 on Monday 20 November 17 02:03 GMT (UK)
First five letters are probably: O-r-f-i-l

Very tempting to read it as a phonetic transcription of Ophelia...
Title: Re: The name of Hamlet's wife
Post by: shanghaipanda on Monday 20 November 17 09:21 GMT (UK)
It has been translated as Orsiloe on the Lancashire site, and it certainly could be worked out as that although I can't find any other examples of such a  name.
Title: Re: The name of Hamlet's wife
Post by: McGroger on Monday 20 November 17 10:09 GMT (UK)
Typed this before seeing shanghai panda's and Rattus's posts. Will leave it as written.

I was tempted by horselydown’s “Orfiloe”, perhaps a variation/corruption of “Ophelia” - wife of “Hamlet(t)”. But I’m pretty sure the third letter is an “s”. Notice how this writer’s strokes for the descenders are consistently formed in opposite directions: clockwise for “s” and anti-clockwise for “f”. Making the word "Orsiloe". But can't find that anywhere.

Stop the presses! This site translates it as “Orsiloe”, noting that “BT gives name as “Ursula”.

http://www.lan-opc.org.uk/St-Helens/sthelen/burials_1697-1700.html
 (http://www.lan-opc.org.uk/St-Helens/sthelen/burials_1697-1700.html)
Title: Re: The name of Hamlet's wife
Post by: Maiden Stone on Monday 20 November 17 13:26 GMT (UK)
The next name was transcribed as Purnell on LAN OPC site. Wonder what she was really called. Pernella?

PS. A Hamlet Broughill married 1st Aug. 1697, 6 weeks after Ursula's burial. Bride not named. His children had common names, John, Jane, Sarah, Thomas.