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Old Photographs, Recognition, Handwriting Deciphering => Handwriting Deciphering & Recognition => Topic started by: Gadget on Thursday 03 September 20 08:42 BST (UK)

Title: what day of May, please?
Post by: Gadget on Thursday 03 September 20 08:42 BST (UK)

From a burial entry in 1636 ~

Thanks


Gadget

Title: Re: what day of May, please?
Post by: Karen McDonald on Thursday 03 September 20 08:49 BST (UK)

Hi Gadget,

As you know, I'm no expert at this  ;D, but could it be eighth?

Edit: It looks as though it starts with "e", but the "i" is back-to-front for secretary hand (I think). The last 2 letters could well be "th", though...

Let's see what the experts say.  :)

Best regards,
Karen

Title: Re: what day of May, please?
Post by: Gadget on Thursday 03 September 20 08:52 BST (UK)

Thanks, Karen - you're much better than me!

I can see an e in there!

Title: Re: what day of May, please?
Post by: Karen McDonald on Thursday 03 September 20 08:53 BST (UK)

Sorry - I edited while you were replying and I didn't get a red message, for some reason...

Title: Re: what day of May, please?
Post by: Gadget on Thursday 03 September 20 08:59 BST (UK)

 I can make out an e and ^th but not the other letters  :-\

Title: Re: what day of May, please?
Post by: goldie61 on Thursday 03 September 20 09:03 BST (UK)

I'd say the 'xxiijth day of Maij', so that would be the 23rd of May.

The last '1' of a number was always written as a 'j'.
I've seen months ending in 'ij' before, but I can't remember why!
Perhaps someone can enlighten us.  :)

Title: Re: what day of May, please?
Post by: JenB on Thursday 03 September 20 09:05 BST (UK)

Surely it says xxiij, i.e. 23?

Edit red message but I'll still post it  :-X

Title: Re: what day of May, please?
Post by: Gadget on Thursday 03 September 20 09:10 BST (UK)

Thanks.   

I did think if roman numerals  at first sight  but I still don't see xx - the first two look like e and a lose o or e.

Title: Re: what day of May, please?
Post by: JenB on Thursday 03 September 20 09:12 BST (UK)

Isn't it strange how we see things differently - I can't see anything but an 'x'  :)

Title: Re: what day of May, please?
Post by: Gadget on Thursday 03 September 20 09:22 BST (UK)

 ;D

I can see a scrawled x that looks like an ec but not 2

PS - it's the burial of my 6 x great grandfather!

Title: Re: what day of May, please?
Post by: goldie61 on Thursday 03 September 20 09:31 BST (UK)

Quote from: Gadget on Thursday 03 September 20 09:22 BST (UK)

;D

I can see a scrawled x that looks like an ec but not 2

PS - it's the burial of my 6 x great grandfather!

Definitely 2 'x's Gadget.
Big loopy things before the 'iij'

Added:
Have you got some more of the page?
Can you see the dates of the month for the other entries?
Perhaps that will help work out this one.

Title: Re: what day of May, please?
Post by: Karen McDonald on Thursday 03 September 20 09:37 BST (UK)

I wish I hadn't written anything. I am absolutely clueless.  :-[

I'm so glad we have experts on here!  :)

Title: Re: what day of May, please?
Post by: Gadget on Thursday 03 September 20 09:52 BST (UK)

Quote from: goldie61 on Thursday 03 September 20 09:31 BST (UK)

Added:
Have you got some more of the page?
Can you see the dates of the month for the other entries?
Perhaps that will help work out this one.

Sorry - my line keeps dropping.  The previous entry is the first line.

Title: Re: what day of May, please?
Post by: Old Bristolian on Thursday 03 September 20 09:57 BST (UK)

That says xvij th, that is 17th

Title: Re: what day of May, please?
Post by: Gadget on Thursday 03 September 20 10:03 BST (UK)

Thanks all.

I now see that Karen and I read the first x as an e because of the upstroke join to the next one!

Sloppy joined up writing  ;D ;D ;D

(FindMyPast has it as 23rd  :) )

Title: Re: what day of May, please?
Post by: goldie61 on Thursday 03 September 20 10:05 BST (UK)

Quote from: Gadget on Thursday 03 September 20 10:03 BST (UK)

Thanks all.

I now see that Karen and I read the first x as an e because of the upstroke join to the next one!

Sloppy joined up writing  ;D ;D ;D

Yes! Very 'sloppy' 'x's from out perspective.  :)