Greece Reading Handwriting And Text: Difference between revisions

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==Introduction==
Most old records are handwritten. As you search old documents trying to find information for your ancestors,
This article will help you learn how to read Greek handwritten records. It will help you become familiar with variations of handwritten letters of the Greek alphabet, and the difference of records kept in various parts of Greece.  You will see the Greek alphabet typed and handwritten.
you may come across a handwritten record that seems impossible to read. Do not get discouraged. There are
===Two Lists of the Most Common Greek Words Used in Genealogy===
ways to get familiar with handwriting of individuals. Some suggestions follow:
*One list includes words of the old Greek language ('''Kathareuousa'''). This old language was used on all documents until 1980, and is still in use today by the Greek Orthodox Church in Greece and in other countries.
**[[Media:Greek Word List.pdf|'''Greek Word List: Words Used in Old Records (Kathareuousa)''']] shows the most common genealogical words, with handwritten versions.
**For a more complete list of '''Greek genealogical words (Kathareuousa)''' visit the [[Reading Greek Old Handwriting Made Easy#Chapter 10 The LANGUAGE--Link|'''Family History Research in Greece, 3rd edition Chapter 10 THE LANGUAGE p.135.''']]
*The other list includes words of the modern Greek language ('''Demotic'''). This list of words of the modern language will help you when you want to read a letter or the writings behind photographs sent from Greece.
**[[Greek Genealogical Word List|'''Greek Genealogical Word List (Demotic)''']]
 
===Greek Given Names===
*A list of the most common Greek given names is also included, to help you recognize them when you see them handwritten in a document.
**[[Media:Greek Given Name List 2.pdf|'''Several Greek Given Names in Handwriting''']] Not every name is given in handwriting. By becoming familiar with the names in this list, you will develop the skills to read the additional names in the following list.
*For more given names visit the [[Reading Greek Old Handwriting Made Easy#Appendix A GLOSSARY--Link| '''Family History Research in Greece, 3rd edition Appendix B.''']]
 
===How to Use the Handwriting Samples===
Included here are samples of handwritten records of the 1800’s and 1700’s. Each record appears in two copies. One copy has over each handwritten word the word typed. The other copy has each letter typed. This will help you become familiar with the handwriting of the recorder. Some of these samples were chosen from vital records and some from electoral correspondence of the 1843-1865. This will help you become familiar with the handwriting of the person who wrote each letter, who was the clerk of a municipality acting also as recorder of vital records of the towns that belonged to this municipality.
 
==Letters==
==Letters==
===Lesson One:Tips===
{|
{|
|-
|-
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*You may want to take note and maybe make a list of the letters that you have recognized so you can refer to this list later.
*You may want to take note and maybe make a list of the letters that you have recognized so you can refer to this list later.
===Lesson Two:===
|style="width:60%; text-align:left"|
[[File:Greek handwriting large.png|thumb|right|400px]]
|}
----
[[Media:Lica1.pdf|'''Reading Old Greek Handwriting Made Easy''']]<br>
[[Media:Lica1.pdf|'''Reading Old Greek Handwriting Made Easy''']]<br>
'''This handout will teach you to read:'''
'''This handout will teach:'''
*Combination of letters
*Combination of letters
*Variation of letters
*Variation of letters
Line 40: Line 28:
*Prefix of names
*Prefix of names
*Numbers
*Numbers
|style="width:40%; text-align:left"|
----
[[File:Greek handwriting large.png|thumb|right|500px]]
|
|}
 
===Lesson Three:===
[[Media:Lica2.pdf|'''Identifying Greek Handwriting Letters''']]<br>
[[Media:Lica2.pdf|'''Identifying Greek Handwriting Letters''']]<br>
'''This handout will teach you to read:'''
'''This handout will teach:'''
*Substitutes of letters
*Substitutes of letters
*Aspiration marks
*Aspiration marks
Line 54: Line 37:
----
----


==Samples of Documents: Certificates==
==Sample of Documents==
===Birth Certificate===
Some copies of old Greek documents are used here as samples, to assist you in recognizing the Greek old handwriting. Each document appears in two copies. The first copy of the document has over each word typed the same word. The second copy of the same document has over each letter the same letter typed. This will help in recognizing each letter of this particular handwriting. The various samples that are included here, have each of them a different handwriting, and are of various periods of time. Several samples have been used because the more individual handwritings you get familiar with, the easier you will recognize another person’s handwriting.
[[File:Birth Certificate3.jpg|1100px]]
**[[Media:Lica4.pdf|KERKYRA BIRTH 1822 by word]]
 
**[[Media:Lica5.pdf|KERKYRA BIRTH 1822 by letter]]
===Marriage Certificate===
**[[Media:Lica6.pdf|Birth Index 1860 by word]]
[[File:Screen Shot 2020-08-17 at 11.46.25 PM.png|1100px]]
**[[Media:Lica7.pdf|Birth Index 1860 by letter]]
 
**[[Media:Lica8.pdf|FTHIOTIS ELECTORAL 1862 by word]]
===Death Certificate===
**[[Media:Lica9.pdf|FTHIOTIS ELECTORAL 1862 by letter]]
[[File:Screen Shot 2020-08-17 at 11.46.45 PM.png|1100px]]
**[[Media:Lica10.pdf|ATHENS BIRTH 1908 by word]]
 
**[[Media:Lica11.pdf|ATHENS BIRTH 1908 by letter]]
==Samples of Documents: A Variety of Documents==
**[[Media:Lica12.pdf|FTHIOTIDOS ELECTORAL 1843 by word]]
*Some copies of old Greek documents are used here as samples, to assist you in recognizing the Greek old handwriting. Each document appears in two copies. The first copy of the document has over each word typed the same word. The second copy of the same document has over each letter the same letter typed. This will help in recognizing each letter of this particular handwriting. The various samples that are included here, have each of them a different handwriting, and are of various periods of time. Several samples have been used because the more individual handwritings you get familiar with, the easier you will recognize another person’s handwriting.
**[[Media:Lica13.pdf|FTHIOTIDOS ELECTORAL 1843 by letter]]
{|
**[[Media:Lica14.pdf|MAKRAKOMIS ELECTORAL 1843 by word]]
|-
**[[Media:Lica15.pdf|MAKRAKOMIS ELECTORAL 1843 by letter]]
|
**[[Media:Lica16.pdf|ATHENS DEATH 1884 by word]]
*[[Media:Lica4.pdf|KERKYRA BIRTH 1822 by word]]
**[[Media:Lica17.pdf|ATHENS DEATH 1884 by letter]]
|
**[[Media:Lica18.pdf|HALKIS DEATH 1872 by word]]
[[Media:Lica5.pdf|KERKYRA BIRTH 1822 by letter]]
**[[Media:Lica19.pdf|HALKIS DEATH 1872 by letter]]
|-
**[[Media:Lica20.pdf|PTELEOS ELECTORAL 1856 by word]]
|
**[[Media:Lica21.pdf|PTELEOS ELECTORAL 1856 by letter]]
*[[Media:6 Birth Index 1860 typed words (2).pdf|Birth Index 1860 by word]]
**[[Media:Lica22.pdf|HALKIS DEATH 1873 by word]]
|
**[[Media:Lica23.pdf|HALKIS DEATH 1873 by letter]]
[[Media:7 Birth Index 1860 typed letters (2).pdf|Birth Index 1860 by letter]]
|-
|
*[[Media:Lica8.pdf|FTHIOTIS ELECTORAL 1862 by word]]
|
[[Media:Lica9.pdf|FTHIOTIS ELECTORAL 1862 by letter]]
|-
|
*[[Media:Lica10.pdf|ATHENS BIRTH 1908 by word]]
|
[[Media:Lica11.pdf|ATHENS BIRTH 1908 by letter]]
|-
|style="padding-right:50px"|
*[[Media:Lica12.pdf|FTHIOTIDOS ELECTORAL 1843 by word]]
|
[[Media:Lica13.pdf|FTHIOTIDOS ELECTORAL 1843 by letter]]
|-
|
*[[Media:Lica14.pdf|MAKRAKOMIS ELECTORAL 1843 by word]]
|
[[Media:Lica15.pdf|MAKRAKOMIS ELECTORAL 1843 by letter]]
|-
|
*[[Media:Lica16.pdf|ATHENS DEATH 1884 by word]]
|
[[Media:Lica17.pdf|ATHENS DEATH 1884 by letter]]
|-
|
*[[Media:Lica18.pdf|HALKIS DEATH 1872 by word]]
|
[[Media:Lica19.pdf|HALKIS DEATH 1872 by letter]]
|-
|
*[[Media:Lica20.pdf|PTELEOS ELECTORAL 1856 by word]]
|
[[Media:Lica21.pdf|PTELEOS ELECTORAL 1856 by letter]]
|-
|
*[[Media:Lica22.pdf|HALKIS DEATH 1873 by word]]
|
[[Media:Lica23.pdf|HALKIS DEATH 1873 by letter]]
|}
 
==Translating the Records==
==Translating the Records==
For help translating the records into English, see all the help available in [[Family History Research in Greece, 3rd edition|'''Family History Research in Greece, 3rd edition:''']] Here are some important instructions and word lists.<br>
For help translating the records into English, see all the help available in [[Family History Research in Greece, 3rd edition|'''Family History Research in Greece, 3rd edition:''']]<br>
 
==[[Media:Lica Catsakis 10 The Language.pdf|'''Chapter 10 THE LANGUAGE''']]==  
==[[Media:Lica Catsakis 10 The Language.pdf|Chapter 10 The LANGUAGE--Link]]==  


It’s All Greek to Me ............................................................................................... 127   
It’s All Greek to Me ............................................................................................... 127   
Line 153: Line 92:
General Words......................................................................................................... 135
General Words......................................................................................................... 135


==[[Media:Lica Catsakis 11 Numbers and Units of Time.pdf|Chapter 11 NUMBERS AND UNITS OF TIME--Link]]==   
==[[Media:Lica Catsakis 11 Numbers and Units of Time.pdf|'''Chapter 11 NUMBERS AND UNITS OF TIME''']]==   
Numbers ................................................................................................................. 139  
Numbers ................................................................................................................. 139  
:Numbers in Numerical Order............................................................................. 139  
:Numbers in Numerical Order............................................................................. 139  
Line 162: Line 101:
:Days of the Week.............................................................................................. 141  
:Days of the Week.............................................................................................. 141  
:Months............................................................................................................... 141
:Months............................................................................................................... 141
 
==[[Media:Lica Catsakis 12 Appendix A Glossary.pdf|'''Appendix A GLOSSARY''']]==   
==[[Media:Lica Catsakis 12 Appendix A Glossary.pdf|Appendix A GLOSSARY--Link]]==   


Greek Words........................................................................................................... 143  
Greek Words........................................................................................................... 143  


English Words......................................................................................................... 145
English Words......................................................................................................... 145  
 
==Appendix B==
[[Media:Lica Catsakis 13 Appendix B, Names, English Equivalents, Namedays.pdf|'''Appendix B GREEK GIVEN NAMES, THEIR VARIATIONS, ENGLISH EQUIVALENTS AND NAME DAYS'''--Link]]


==[[Media:Lica Catsakis 13 Appendix B, Names, English Equivalents, Namedays.pdf|'''Appendix B GREEK GIVEN NAMES, THEIR VARIATIONS, ENGLISH EQUIVALENTS AND NAME DAYS''']]==
==ABOUT THE AUTHOR ==
[[Category:Greece]]
[[Category:Greece]]

Revision as of 21:53, 30 July 2020

Most old records are handwritten. As you search old documents trying to find information for your ancestors, you may come across a handwritten record that seems impossible to read. Do not get discouraged. There are ways to get familiar with handwriting of individuals. Some suggestions follow:

Letters[edit | edit source]

  • Try to recognize one letter at a time. In the samples that follow here, over each handwritten letter has been typed its corresponding printed letter.

  • Try to find in the document something that you already know, such as the date or the name of the place where the record was created. This will help you recognize the letters of this particular writing.

  • If you do not know the date, check in other places of the document where this may appear such as at the bottom, next to the signature(s) where the date or the place are repeated; maybe they appear clearer there.

  • If you do not know the place, maybe it appears on the heading of the document where the name of the place is usually printed.

  • You may want to take note and maybe make a list of the letters that you have recognized so you can refer to this list later.
Greek handwriting large.png

Reading Old Greek Handwriting Made Easy
This handout will teach:

  • Combination of letters
  • Variation of letters
  • Abbreviation of names
  • Abbreviation of words
  • Abbreviation of months
  • Prefix of names
  • Numbers

Identifying Greek Handwriting Letters
This handout will teach:

  • Substitutes of letters
  • Aspiration marks
  • Words within phrases
  • Numbers

Sample of Documents[edit | edit source]

Some copies of old Greek documents are used here as samples, to assist you in recognizing the Greek old handwriting. Each document appears in two copies. The first copy of the document has over each word typed the same word. The second copy of the same document has over each letter the same letter typed. This will help in recognizing each letter of this particular handwriting. The various samples that are included here, have each of them a different handwriting, and are of various periods of time. Several samples have been used because the more individual handwritings you get familiar with, the easier you will recognize another person’s handwriting.

Translating the Records[edit | edit source]

For help translating the records into English, see all the help available in Family History Research in Greece, 3rd edition:

Chapter 10 THE LANGUAGE[edit | edit source]

It’s All Greek to Me ............................................................................................... 127

How to Work With the Language .......................................................................... 127

The Alphabet ........................................................................................................ 128

Diacritic Marks ................................................................................................ 128

About Transliteration ............................................................................................. 129

Transliteration Chart – The Simple Transliteration System........................ 130

Pronunciation......................................................................................................... 131

Diphthongs....................................................................................................... 131
Digraphs........................................................................................................... 131

The Handwriting..................................................................................................... 132

Grammar ............................................................................................................... 132

Greek Genealogical Word List............................................................................... 133

Key Words........................................................................................................ 133
Words Indicating Relation ................................................................................ 133
Words Indicating Birth ...................................................................................... 133
Words Indicating Status of Birth ....................................................................... 133
Words Indicating Baptism ................................................................................. 134
Words Indicating Marriage ................................................................................ 134
Words Indicating Death ..................................................................................... 134
Colorful Expressions for death .......................................................................... 134
Words Indicating Burial...................................................................................... 134
Words Indicating Types of Records .................................................................. 134

General Words......................................................................................................... 135

Chapter 11 NUMBERS AND UNITS OF TIME[edit | edit source]

Numbers ................................................................................................................. 139

Numbers in Numerical Order............................................................................. 139
Cardinal Numbers in Alphabetical Order .......................................................... 140
Ordinal Numbers in Alphabetical Order............................................................. 140
Numbers in Alphabetic Form............................................................................. 141

Units of Time........................................................................................................... 141

Days of the Week.............................................................................................. 141
Months............................................................................................................... 141

Appendix A GLOSSARY[edit | edit source]

Greek Words........................................................................................................... 143

English Words......................................................................................................... 145

Appendix B GREEK GIVEN NAMES, THEIR VARIATIONS, ENGLISH EQUIVALENTS AND NAME DAYS[edit | edit source]

ABOUT THE AUTHOR[edit | edit source]

Numbers that denote quantity or how many. Examples: one, two, three

Numbers indicating position or order of something. Examples: first, second, third.

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