What Does That Say? Interpreting Messages from the Past

What Does That Say? Interpreting Messages from the Past

If you ever scratched your head trying to decipher handwriting from the 18th and 19th centuries, the upcoming presentation by Dr. Leah Grandy in the York-Sunbury Historical Society’s Virtual Speaker Series is for you.

This FREE ZOOM presentation will take place at 7 pm, Thursday, April 20, 2023, and all are welcomed to attend. Please contact the Fredericton Region Museum at frmoperations@gmail.com for the ZOOM link.

Palaeography is the art of reading and deciphering historic handwriting.  In this presentation, you will be introduced to the basics of palaeography and its approach to historical documents.

Techniques and practical tips for interpretating documents from the 18th and 19th century British Atlantic World will be explored through examples related to central New Brunswick. Other topics will include cursive writing versus typescript, transcription practices, writing materials, “hands,” and evaluating the work of individual writers and documents for historical clues.

This talk will be of interest to the experienced researcher and newcomers alike.

Leah Grandy has a PhD in History and works regularly with documents from 18th and 19th-century New Brunswick. Her other specialties include loyalist biography, 18th century naming practices, New Brunswick newspapers, Maritime sports history, and historical blogging.