Deciphering Handwriting

momat · Post by **momat** » Mon Jun 22, 2009 9:46 am

Anyone game to translate the Marriage for Hovell.
This would be some of the worst writing I have come across.

http://talkingscot.com/gallery/displayi ... ?pos=-1859

Cheers,

Post by **AndrewP** » Mon Jun 22, 2009 9:57 am

Hi Maureen,

Here is my first attempt.

1881 Marriages in the District of St Andrew in the Burgh of Dundee

1881 on the Twentieth day of May at 13 Alman(?) Street, Dundee
After publication according to the forms of thr Established Church of Scotland
(signed) Isaac Hovell, Bachelor, Brass Finisher (Jour.)(?), Bachelor, 21, 53 William Street, Dundee
(signed) Annie Donald, P______ H______, Spinster, 20, 17 ______ Street, Dundee
Thomas Hovell, Mill Manager, Caroline Hovell, M.S. Johnston
David Donald, ______ (_____), Margaret Donald, M.S. Paton, Dec.
(signed) David J Robertson, Minister of ______ Church
(signed) Maria Annie Hovell, witness, David Donald, witness
1881, May 23rd at Dundee, ______ _____, Registrar

All the best,

AndrewP

momat · Post by **momat** » Mon Jun 22, 2009 10:05 am

Thanks Andrew,
That's more than i could get from it.
Cheers,

LesleyB · Post by **LesleyB** » Mon Jun 22, 2009 11:09 am

I reckon the marriage took place at Alexander Street

I think Annie Donald was a Powerloom Winder who lived at Wolseley Street

Reckon it is Clepington Church

...and David Donald was a Caterpillar (Journeyman)???

Sorry, couldnt resist that one.

Post by **AndrewP** » Mon Jun 22, 2009 12:36 pm

LesleyB wrote:...and David Donald was a Caterpillar (Journeyman)??? Sorry, couldnt resist that one.

I also saw Caterpillar in there.

All the best,

AndrewP

WilmaM · Post by **WilmaM** » Mon Jun 22, 2009 1:20 pm

Could your caterpillars be a Cotton something weaver?

I'd be tempted to find the bride's parents on the 1881 census - and hope the same guy didn't write it up too!

LesleyB · Post by **LesleyB** » Mon Jun 22, 2009 2:34 pm

Hi Wilma

It could be a Cotton something, but I think that last word is an abbreviation for Journeyman as also seen in the forth column.

The chap tends to cross his letter Ts in rather a dramatic and erratic way, (ref. Street and Publication in the second column!) so I wonder if the cross belongs more to the upright letters at the end of the word: ref. Margaret, though anything is possible!

I did wonder about the occuption Catchpoller (Bailiff or Sheriff's assistant), but I don't think you'd be a Catchpoller journeyman as it is not a trade as such.

Also, cotton is not impossible, but cotton is not sitting comfortably in my head for Dundee in that time period - textile wise, people were more likley to be involved in flax or jute manufacture there. As you say, the 1881 is worth checking, (at work, no access to it at present) or even the marriage of the parents.

Best wishes
Lesley

grannysrock · Post by **grannysrock** » Mon Jun 22, 2009 9:02 pm

Hi all
Couldn't resist taking at peek at the 1881 census. At 17 Wolseley Street there is a David Donald, Lathsplitter. Now I can see his occupation in the marriage entry as Lathsplitter too .

Sally

( but i wish it were journeyman caterpillar ! )

WilmaM · Post by **WilmaM** » Mon Jun 22, 2009 9:20 pm

Ah NOW I can see an L

Pity, I liked the sound of Butterflies

LesleyB · Post by **LesleyB** » Mon Jun 22, 2009 9:40 pm

Well all I can say is thank goodness they got married in 1881 so a cross-ref with the census is possible (thanks Sally!) or the chap would have remained as a caterpillar!

It did conjour up an interesting picture though.... "What does your dad do?" "Oh, he's a caterpillar....."

Best wishes
Lesley