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Author Topic: Same person, different signature?  (Read 456 times)

Offline M_ONeill

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Same person, different signature?
« on: Thursday 04 July 19 20:02 BST (UK) »
Hey all,

So I'm currently investigating a possible candidate for my 5x great grandfather, and so I'm sorting through local records from the area of Monkhopton in Shropshire.

I've found two documents that I believe may be signed by this man, Thomas Smallman - his own 1761 marriage and as a witness to the marriage of his daughter Martha in 1787. My one doubt is based around the signatures, as they both seem to be in a different style, though some of the letters are similar.

I was wondering if I could get a collective opinion on whether these signatures are from different men or the same man with variance in signature.

Thanks in advance!

Offline Primrose11

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Re: Same person, different signature?
« Reply #1 on: Thursday 04 July 19 20:10 BST (UK) »
I'm no handwriting expert but I would say they are the same man. The letters are formed in the same way, just the second is using a thicker pen.
P
BATE
CHILWELL
DRURY
McCOLL

Online ShaunJ

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Re: Same person, different signature?
« Reply #2 on: Thursday 04 July 19 20:16 BST (UK) »
Remarkably similar considering they are 26 years apart.
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Offline Gadget

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Re: Same person, different signature?
« Reply #3 on: Thursday 04 July 19 20:29 BST (UK) »
Yes. The letters are remarkably similar. The difference is mainly to do with the different writing instruments.

Gadget
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Offline M_ONeill

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Re: Same person, different signature?
« Reply #4 on: Thursday 04 July 19 20:39 BST (UK) »
Thanks for the replies, all. It's nice to get confirmation! It's funny that you mention how similar all the letters are, both Martha Smallman and William (a witness at Thomas' wedding, a currently unknown relation) also form their letters very similarly. Whoever is teaching in the area was obviously very consistent!

Thanks once again.  :)
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