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

Post by **emanday** » Sat Sep 23, 2006 11:43 am

Downloaded a 2 page 1666 Will/Testament for the earliest Girtrig on SP.

You see, I'm having trouble tracing backwards, so thought I'd see if the trail could be followed down the generations. Family name, right area - seemed like a potential help.

As soon as I saw it I realised I was in for some tough times. The handwriting is totally alien to me. I can make out a few words, but only a very few, but some of them are names which could be of real help if I knew what the context was.

Anyone know if there is an organisation who could transcribe it for me. Although it is over 2 pages, it actually only takes up the bottom quarter of the first page and top third of the second page.

I've cropped out the relevant bits and could try uploading them.

Russell · Post by **Russell** » Sat Sep 23, 2006 11:53 am

Hi Mary

Yes please. Upload them. That sounds like a real challenge!

Tell us where since some names were quite local and that might help deciphering things.

Russell

Post by **emanday** » Sat Sep 23, 2006 12:02 pm

I'll get them uploaded ASAP.

He was Thomas Girtrig and the area was St Quivox, Ayr, which is where the ones I have been able to trace back all came from. Thomas is a name that runs right down, as is Margaret, which also seems to be one of the names mentioned. I think there is also a Marion on there. Though not carried down far, this name also figures in my Grandmother's family. Her aunt was a Marion.

By the way, Gran's middle name was Girtrig.

I'm off to upload

Post by **emanday** » Sat Sep 23, 2006 12:16 pm

OK, that's them uploaded so just waiting for admin approval for "1st Part of testament" and "2nd part of testament" to be available.

http://talkingscot.com/gallery/displayi ... p?pos=-771
http://talkingscot.com/gallery/displayi ... p?pos=-772

Gallery URLs added - AndrewP

Post by **emanday** » Sat Sep 23, 2006 1:33 pm

Thanks, Andrew

Russell · Post by **Russell** » Sat Sep 23, 2006 5:28 pm

Well Mary

you have set a real challenge

This will take a bit of deciphering since it is auld Scots and legal terminology.

So far I have only about half of each line from the first page and nothing yet from the second page.

Have you looked at http://www.scottishhandwriting.com You have to think in auld Scots first then try to identify where he has used abbreviations before it even begins to make any sense.
So far I have not picked out names at all other than 'Commissariot of Glasgow' plus the date on the bottom line 'last day of July 1666'
I'm looking forward to a couple of nights of study
DavidWW would probably read it straight off.

Thanks for the challenge.

Russell

karenc · Post by **karenc** » Sat Sep 23, 2006 6:24 pm

I can definately see thomas girtrig and marion girtrig mentioned. also the name margret seems to be there, but other than a few random words the rest is foreign to me

Karen

Post by **emanday** » Sat Sep 23, 2006 7:01 pm

Yes, it's a real toughy, isn't it?

Russell, I've had a look on that site and might just have to do one of their tutorials

You've certainly done better than I have if you've deciphered some of it. I couldn't see that date till you mentioned.

Karen, I'm glad it isn't just wishful thinking that I could see those names. Very reassuring that you read them too.

My son had a great idea that is helping a bit. He placed a clear sheet over the printed out (and enlarged) image so that I could circle any of the very few words I though I could read. If I come across another word with similar characters, it's easier to see the words I've got.

By the way, it was him who got me to change the brown and cream image to grayscale. It is a LOT easier to read.

Post by **AnneM** » Sat Sep 23, 2006 10:07 pm

First two words are testament dative but that's as good as it gets so far!

Anne

Post by **emanday** » Sat Sep 23, 2006 10:26 pm

Last three words, same line "sommes of mony = sums of money", so if it follows the eaxmple on SP the top line should read something like "The testament dative and inventer of the goods gear sums of money"

If you could see me right now

Magnifying glass, notepad with loads of scribbled out stuff, large Malt

but I'm having fun (even if my son thinks I'm nuts

)