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Old Photographs, Recognition, Handwriting Deciphering => Handwriting Deciphering & Recognition => Topic started by: Claddagh on Monday 05 March 18 19:37 GMT (UK)

Title: Can you please help me decipher this faded handwriting?
Post by: Claddagh on Monday 05 March 18 19:37 GMT (UK)
Hello everyone,  I need a miracle! I am having a hard time deciphering the names in this marriage entry.

Marriage date: October 24,1831
Groom: James D? (The second letter looks like an l then an o but it can't be.)
Bride: Bridget Lenhan (correct)
Witness Male: Murtagh Lenhan (bride's brother) (correct)
Witness Female: ? Heydon (I'm hoping that it's Eliz as in Elizabeth but the first letter looks like an L or F).

What does everyone think?

Thank you for taking the time to look! I am at my wit's end.

Your assistance is always appreciated.
Claddagh
Title: Re: Can you please help me decipher this faded handwriting?
Post by: Thornwood on Monday 05 March 18 20:00 GMT (UK)
Are you sure the second witness is female because it looks like Thomas to me?
I'm still working on the groom's name!
Title: Re: Can you please help me decipher this faded handwriting?
Post by: Thornwood on Monday 05 March 18 20:05 GMT (UK)
Could the first letter of the groom be a Q. I seem to remember learning to write a capital Q a bit like a number 2 when at school many years ago. The second letter would then be a 'u'.
Title: Re: Can you please help me decipher this faded handwriting?
Post by: Claddagh on Monday 05 March 18 20:38 GMT (UK)
Could there be two male witnesses? I've never seen that before. Anything is possible.

I believe that Thomas D is the husband. Look at the Thomas Metcalf on the same page. It's so much easier to decipher handwriting with a fresh pair of eyes.

Thanks Thornwood!  :)
Title: Re: Can you please help me decipher this faded handwriting?
Post by: Claddagh on Monday 05 March 18 20:51 GMT (UK)
Maybe Elizabeth D with the surname that looks familiar to Thomas D husband of Bridget Lenhan is related to the groom?

I believe that the surname is "Duane". Does anyone agree with me?
Title: Re: Can you please help me decipher this faded handwriting?
Post by: orkrad on Tuesday 06 March 18 01:28 GMT (UK)
 Could Elizabeth's last name be DIVINE ?   Regards Orkrad
Title: Re: Can you please help me decipher this faded handwriting?
Post by: Ruskie on Tuesday 06 March 18 01:36 GMT (UK)
Elizabeth Dunne?
Title: Re: Can you please help me decipher this faded handwriting?
Post by: Wiggy on Tuesday 06 March 18 07:41 GMT (UK)
to help a little maybe . . .  first snip


I think it could be Dunne as in Elizabeth in later snip suggested by Ruskie  :-\  (Could be Duane - any others in the district?)

I am with Thornwood - think second witness could be Thomas - or just maybe John.  Very faint initial letter.

Wiggy
Title: Re: Can you please help me decipher this faded handwriting?
Post by: Girl Guide on Tuesday 06 March 18 07:51 GMT (UK)
Have you tried turning the positive into a negative?  Sometimes that helps.  Instructions below.

https://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch001331.htm
Title: Re: Can you please help me decipher this faded handwriting?
Post by: Wiggy on Tuesday 06 March 18 08:39 GMT (UK)
Yes - already tried inverting - didn't help me much at all really.   ;)
Title: Re: Can you please help me decipher this faded handwriting?
Post by: Claddagh on Tuesday 06 March 18 18:01 GMT (UK)
Thank you everyone for having a look!

I too am thinking that the groom is Thomas Dunne.

Could the second witness be Honor Heydon?

I'm attaching a larger photo so that you can zoom in. It might help.

All your input is much appreciated!
Claddagh