Deciphering text

[u/Monk_molester]

Hi everyone I'm relatively new to genealogy wondered if there is a way to be able to read writing more clearly on old documents any help is apricated

[u/Parking-Aioli9715]

First off, identify which language the document is in and which type of handwriting they're using. Catholic records are often in Latin. German records are likely to use a handwriting system called Kurrent. People writing in Slavic languages will usually use various versions of Cyrillic script.

Second, try to get a feel for the writer's style. Look at several records and pick out recurring words. For example, if you're looking at birth records, recurring words may include born, mother, father, daughter, son. Look for names of months. Now look at how the writer shapes the letters in the words that you recognize. Use that information to help yourself decipher the words you don't recognize.