Idaho Genealogical Society: A Quick and Dirty Guide for Reading Old Handwriting & Script

Decoding old handwriting can feel like cracking a secret code — but with the right tools, you can master it! This lively session strips away the mystery and gives you practical, proven techniques to more confidently read letters, records, and documents written decades or even centuries ago. You’ll learn how to recognize tricky letterforms, spot common handwriting quirks, and discover reliable resources to turn to when you hit a scribbly brick wall. Whether you’re a genealogist, historian, or curious reader of the past, this session will help you bring old words back to life.

A professional researcher, writer and certified Master Trainer, Kelley Barrett’s genealogy journey began in childhood. Family stories of suspicious name changes, disappearances, cattle rustling, and other mysteries sparked her imagination and a lifelong passion for family history. Following a successful career in Human Resources, she turned her skills in investigation, analysis, and documentation toward finding “lost” relatives, solving family mysteries, and breaking through brick walls.

Follow Kelley’s genealogy adventures in her blog “Jaunts and Junkets” and learn more by visiting her website www.ancestor-hunter.com.

To learn more about this event and the Idaho Genealogical Society, visit idahogenealogy.org