One Quick Handwriting Transcription Challenge Every Day-for the genealogist in you
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Signing My Intent Again
This German native signed his intent to become a citizen in Adams County, Illinois in December of 1854.
Monday, September 13, 2010
Becoming A Citizen
This native of northern-Germany, born in the 1790s, signed his declaration of intent in Adams County, Illinois in 1854
Sunday, September 12, 2010
The Name of the Child
This is the name of the child named in the guardianship referenced in the entries from the previous three days. This comes from an early 1920 document.
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Guardian for my sister's brother's child
This is another guardian petition--this one from 1925 (the same child's guardianship from the previous two days' posts).
This individual was born in the 1870s. This one's pretty easy--for those who thought they were getting too hard.
This individual was born in the 1870s. This one's pretty easy--for those who thought they were getting too hard.
Friday, September 10, 2010
My Sister's Child
This individual was appointed guardian for his sister's son in the early 1900s in Hancock County, Illinois.
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Just One Child
The widow of a deceased landowner signs and indicates her husband only had one child on this signature from Hancock County, Illinois, in 1912.
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Our Sponsor: Casefile Clues
Don't forget that Genealogy Transcriber is sponsored by Casefile Clues, my how to genealogy newsletter. Signatures and writing examples used here are sometimes discussed in more detail in issues of Casefile Clues. An annual subscription is only $17. Payment can be made via PayPal here.
My Working Papers
This native of upstate New York was born in the mid-19th century. This signature came from his employment papers in Chicago.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Settling the Neighbor's Estate
This is a signature from an estate settlement in the 1880s in Vernon County, Missouri, that I'm working on for an upcoming column of Casefile Clues.
I'm not certain of this individual's age or nativity, but he would have been at least twenty-one as he was administrating an estate. Most likely--he's older than that.
I'm not certain of this individual's age or nativity, but he would have been at least twenty-one as he was administrating an estate. Most likely--he's older than that.
Monday, September 6, 2010
My 1860 In Law
Any thoughts on the 58 year old male living in the household of Peter Friend in Davenport, Scott County, Iowa, in 1860?
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Guarding my Grandchildren
This German native signed the guardianship application for his grandchildren in 1918 (after the parents died of the flu).
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Releasing my Guardian
Having reached the age of majority, this ward of the court signed papers acknowledging the receipt of money from his parents' estate in 1922 in Hancock County, Illinois.
Friday, September 3, 2010
Guardian of my Sister's Children
This early 20th century signature comes from a guardianship case in Hancock County, Illinois.
Regular readers of my writing might know the last name, but the first one is one I don't write about too often.
Regular readers of my writing might know the last name, but the first one is one I don't write about too often.
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Selling Dad's Farm
This 1947 signature was from a deed where the widow is selling the farm she and her husband purchased from her father's estate approximately thirty years before. 

The writer was an Illinois native, born in the 1880s.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Signing My Alien Registration

There are two copies of the signature on this document (you will need to click on the image to pull up a larger picture).
This individual was a German native, signing his World War I era Enemy Alien Registration in Tyro, Kansas.
Monday, August 30, 2010
Another Dad
This is the name of a father on a 1932 death certificate for an individual who died in Golden, Adams, Illinois.Any thoughts?
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Whose Your Daddy?

This name for a father is all that appears in the box for name of father in a 1920s era death certificate for a resident of Warsaw, Hancock County, Illinois.
Any thoughts on this one?
Saturday, August 28, 2010
What to Post & Spread the News
Current followers of this site have been really great about posting suggestions and ideas regarding the signatures (and occasional census listing) that I've posted to the Daily Genealogy Transcriber. The other interpretations are interesting and actually helpful when thinking about how indexers may render names.
If you see any posts that are advertisements for services or just downright inappropriate, please let me know (michael.john.neill@gmail.com) and I'll remove them.
Feel free to spread the news about the Daily Genealogy Transcriber to other genealogists.
Thanks!
If you see any posts that are advertisements for services or just downright inappropriate, please let me know (michael.john.neill@gmail.com) and I'll remove them.
Feel free to spread the news about the Daily Genealogy Transcriber to other genealogists.
Thanks!
Getting My 1812 Bounty Land

This Maryland native, born ca. 1795 was signing War of 1812 Bounty Land application papers in Indiana in the 1850s.
Friday, August 27, 2010
Thursday, August 26, 2010
An Englishman Signs for His Wages

This mid-nineteenth century native of northern England is shown here signing his early twentieth century employment card for the Pullman Car Company in Chicago, Illinois.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Signing for My Wages
This signature is from an early 1900 employment card for a New York State native who worked for the Pullman Company in Chicago. 

Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Getting my Passport

This native of New York was born in the late 1800s. First and middle name should be no problem. This was from his 1920 era passport.
Monday, August 23, 2010
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Veteran in the Hospital

This comes from the "heading" of an entry for a veteran's home resident who served in World War I.
I don't know who wrote the name and unfortunately based opon the other handwriting on this page, the data on the page was NOT written by the same person as the one who made this entry.
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Signing the Inventory

This is one of the appraisers on an estate inventory in Chariton County, Missouri, in the 1860s.
I'm not certain where he was born, but based on the others on this document, Kentucky or Tennessee would be a good guess.
Friday, August 20, 2010
Testifying for my Homestead

This Illinois native signed his name on his 1880 era homestead application in Colorado.
(This one is supposed to be a little bit easier--for those who've been asking...)
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Receiving my Spousal Allowance

This German native (born in the 1820s) signed her husband's estate settlment in 1861 indicating she had received her husband's allowance.
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Posting the Answers
Ususally I post answers within a day of the original posting. Occasionally it takes me a little longer. I post as a comment here on the blog and I also post the answer to the "wall" we have on Facebook.
You can always send me an email at michael.john.neill@gmail.com if I forget to post or you can't see it.
Thanks!
Don't forget to let others know about "Daily Genealogy Transcriber."
You can always send me an email at michael.john.neill@gmail.com if I forget to post or you can't see it.
Thanks!
Don't forget to let others know about "Daily Genealogy Transcriber."
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Monday, August 16, 2010
Signing for My Marriage
This signature comes from an 1868 marriage record in County Cumberland, England. The bride here was approximately forty five years of age and a native of northern England.Sunday, August 15, 2010
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