If you’re struggling to read your Irish ancestor’s records, you’re not alone. Historical Irish documents can be a nightmare to interpret given the unfamiliar scripts and confusing abbreviations and Latin phrases used in them.
Finding that 18th-century baptismal record you’ve been missing in your family tree can be rewarding, but wait till you’re greeted by a mess of looping and cramped letters.
For the many clients we have worked with at Irishresearchers.com, all they can do is stare at the scribbles and faded inks that to them look more like a medieval wizard’s spell than anything like their ancestor’s record.
Why does the record seem to refer to some Philib O’Byrne? Wait, is that even an O?
And since many are unable to navigate this old handwriting, they risk overlooking crucial records and details hiding in plain sight.
The good news is that deciphering these scripts is possible provided you employ the right approach. Before we look into these approaches, let’s understand the complexities in these Old Irish records.
Why Are Old Irish Records So Hard to Read?
Several factors make it a challenge to read Irish genealogy records, but the major ones include the evolution of handwriting styles, the Latinization of church records, and the common usage of abbreviations back then.
Handwriting Styles Changed Over Time
Handwriting styles in Irish records changed with time from the secretary hand back in the 16th century to the cursive copperplate one used later. The former involved a mix of sharp strokes and loops where some letters could be easily mistaken for others.
The cursive copperplate style was a bit elegant but exaggerated with sweeping flourishes and capitals that obscured other letters. Surnames like O’Malley appear as O’Mafley due to the long-tailed “I” that looks like an “f.”
In the secretary hand style, letters like “r” resemble “n,” making it easy to mistake words like “Burn” with “Bum.” Similarly, “s” looks like “f,” so a record showing “Jofeph Sullivan” could actually mean “Joseph Sullivan.”
Latinized Versions of Names
Church records are a crucial resource in Irish genealogy, but most of these, including baptism, marriage, and burial registers, were Latinized, making it impossible for an untrained eye to follow through.
And it’s not just names; phrases alike might throw you off in the most unexpected ways. Examples include ““filia Patricii” to mean daughter of Patrick and “uxor Jacobi” for wife of James.
Common Use of Abbreviations
Abbreviations help us save time and space, and this was very important in historical record keeping. The clerks, census takers, and priests relied on abbreviations, some of which were intuitive and others misleading.
Some of the common abbreviations you’re likely to come across in Irish records include wife of (w/o), baptized (Bp), married (Mx), and died without issue (d.s.p). The latter means the decedent had no children but has been commonly mistaken to mean a “different cause of death,” leading to unnecessary alterations in the whole family tree.
How to Actually Read Old Irish Records: Expert Tips & Tricks
Understanding the reasons Old Irish Records are so hard to read is one thing, but tackling the problem firsthand is another. Nonetheless, there are quick workarounds that can help you crack the code and navigate the records like a pro.
Start with the Obvious Words
Once you get hold of the Old Irish record with somewhat illegible handwriting, look for words that may be easier to recognize. The census forms, baptismal records, wills, etc., contain standard legal wording and repetitive phrasing that can serve as anchors.
For wills and probate records, look for phrases like “In the year of our Lord.” Census records will also show the “Head of household, Son, Daughter, Servant,” and more.
Compare Letters to Identify Patterns
One big mistake you can make is trying to read the whole word or phrase at once rather than breaking it down. The best strategy is to focus on a letter like “J” or “P” and compare it to others in the document. Also take note of the letter shape to easily maneuver through some of the most confusing words in the record.
If, for example, you come across “Philib” but aren’t sure about it, check if each of the letters matches other words in the document. If this proves futile, try looking at other crucial records like gravestones and census records.
Use Online Paleography Tools
You don’t have to figure everything out on your own. Some of the crucial resources to help you identify historical Irish script styles include The National Archives of Ireland’s Paleography Guide, The Irish Genealogical Research Society’s handwriting examples, Latin Name Converters, FamilySearch.org, and more.
Be sure to also join Irish genealogy groups and forums such as Reddit’s r/Genealogy and Facebook groups like Irish Genealogy Research Community. Note that many online sites offer transcriptions for old Irish records but may not always be accurate.
Work With an Irish Researcher
Working with a professional Irish genealogy researcher is the surest and most accurate bet on quickly extracting all details in an old Irish record. So, if your personal efforts fail, consider tapping into this expertise, as most professionals have everything at their fingertips.
Besides helping decipher old Irish handwriting in your ancestor’s records, professional Irish genealogists understand the Irish nuances and can offer a more efficient and reliable way to trace your Irish family tree.
Leverage our free consultation with our Irish genealogy experts at IrishResearchers.com and let us decode your family history for you.
Don’t let old handwriting stop you from discovering your Irish roots.