How do I get this translated?.....

[ninatoo]

Good grief! Is that in English?

[emanday]

Well, it's the 17th century Scots version of English.

Add to that the fact that a kind of "shorthand" was used and a lot of the words seem to be written as the writer heard them

I mean "Procurator Fiscal of the Commissary of Glasgow" seems to be written as "Proc Fifally of ?? Comifrot of Glafgow"

I know our "s" was written like an "f" back then.

Horrific, innit but I'm having fun (Note to Self: I AM having fun)

[AnneM]

What looks like comifort is probably commisariat. There is also a date of month of Nov 1665 given which is probably the date of his will or the date of death.

Anne

[AndrewP]

Hi Mary,

Following onto Anne's first translation above, I think page 1, line 1 has in part "testament dative & inventor[y] of ... ... debt(?) & sum(me)s of mon[e]y". And on that basis, the single word in the last line on that page appears to be "inventor[y]"

You have set a considerable challenge with this one.

All the best,

AndrewP

[emanday]

Although I was beginning to go cross-eyed, I think I might have part of the fourth line, from the second word in...

"fathefullie (faithfully?) made up and given up be" followed by what could be a person's name? possibly?

I printed off an example testament and it's translation from SP and that has helped a bit, even though written in a different hand.

I am beginning to realise how much of a challenge this is, Andrew. It is, after all a foreign language to us now, and not helped by the shorthand used for some words.

You are all being great sports and I'm really appreciating your help =D>

[anne]

Mary

It looks to me that he lived at "braeheid of mainholme" in the parish of St Quivox at the time of his death, Nov 1665. The name of the person in line 4 after "faithfullie made and given up be" could be "Catherine Holme" ?? Whatever the name, she was his "relict", i.e. widow.
Will have another look later at it.

Anne

[emanday]

Oh Anne, that is great. I was wondering about that name, but couldn't quite make it out. Must see if I can find out anything about her as well.

I'm getting bits and pieces, but not close enough to each other to make a lot of sense out of it, yet.

Have to tell you; I usually read a chapter or two of a book before going to sleep. Not since I got this! I get all set up with my bed table, notepad and illuminated magnifying glass and this testament. And that isn't the only time I'm working on it. Burnt toast is the norm in my house at the moment

[DavidWW]

Good grief! Is that in English?

Yes, but the writing is known as secretary hand. See the website referred to above. ............, and despite Russell's vote of confidence I'm afraid that I'm no expert.

As someone says above, half the trick is knowing the standard terms and the types of abbreviations used.

David

[emanday]

Hi David,

Good site and I'm probably going to try their tutorials. I've also found the example and its transcript on SP quite useful.

It's still very difficult though. But I'm still having fun

I know you say you are no expert, but I'm betting you've had to deal with a few of these before, so your input would also be very welcome.

There weren't many of this lot as far as I can see, and they seemed to have been mainly in the Ayr area, then Glasgow. That has also got me wondering where they came from. Ayr would suggest Ireland, but that area of research will have to wait till I've got the ones in Scotland sorted out.

[anne]

Mary, definitely try the tutorials and then keep practising !!! I've let myself lapse a bit so it's taking me a while to "get my eye back in". But it's coming. Pleased to hear someone else finds this fun - I've had many a raised eyebrow when I tell folk I enjoy trying to decipher old handwriting.

Will keep at it. Maybe you could send me a personal message with what you have so far?

Anne