United States Handwriting

United States Handwriting

English
Early American colonial handwriting in English is similar to other English handwriting of the period. For more information see:


 * England Language and Languages Wiki article
 * English Script Tutorial
 * Despain, Marci. Reading English Handwritten Records Lesson 1: English Secretary Hand Letters. (25 minute online video) FamilySearch Research Classes Online, 2010.
 * Despain, Marci. Reading English Handwritten Record Lesson 2: Dates and Latin Words. (25 minute online video) FamilySearch Research Classes Online, 2010.
 * Kirkham, E. Kay. The Handwriting of American Records for a Period of 300 Years . Logan, Utah: Everton Publishers, 1973; Digitized by Family History Archives.
 * Kirkham, E. Kay. How to read the handwriting and records of early America: the reading and interpretation of the handwriting, symbols, abbreviations, legal terminology, etc. as found in original records and on microfilm for researchers in American genealogy and history . Salt Lake City: Kay Publ., 1961; Digitized by the Genealogical Society of Utah, 2008.
 * Sperry, Kip. Reading Early American Handwriting. Baltimore: Genealogical Publ., 1998. [].
 * Stryker-Rodda, Harriet Mott. Understanding Colonial Handwriting, rev. ed.. Baltimore: Genealogical Publ., 1986. [].

Latin
Some American records are written partially or mostly in the Latin language. For more information see:


 * Latin Genealogical Word List Wiki article
 * Merriman, Ruth. Latin Lesson: Key Words and Phrases in Latin Records. (25 minute online video) FamilySearch Research Classes Online, 2010.