There’s something special about seeing records with your ancestors’ handwriting on them. It’s easy to feel a wonderful connection to them, just by seeing or handling an object they once touched. But all too often, you may find yourself struggling to read the handwriting. This is especially frustrating if you’re indexing records, or if this is your only source. While reading old handwriting can be complicated enough to fill an entire college course, here are some of the basics.
There’s nothing quite like listening to the voices of your grandparents or parents telling their own story. You and your family have much to gain by listening to your ancestors where you can. But before you begin recording a relative’s precious words, it’s very important to come prepared.
While the world of genealogy revolves around all things past, the truth is it’s an evolving work that changes every day. New technology, discoveries, records and information surface constantly that change the study all the time.