The Book of Me, Written by You - Week 42 - Handwriting

The Book Of Me, Written By You is a 15 month project set up by Julie Goucher at Anglers Rest.

Each week there are prompts which require answering.

Week 42 - Handwriting

I class my handwriting as neat, although I have noticed as I get older it does become more of a scrawl...but I put that down to too much writing at work.

Example of my great, great grandfather's handwriting
from Edward Davidson's notebook

It was always very clear and legible, but it has changed a lot over the years, when I look back at my school work it was always very neat especially in the first pages of the books. Now, if I am writing a lot at work and having to write fast it does become a bit of a scribble. I think my handwriting reflects both of my parents handwritings too, in different ways. 

I have always written using joined up writing, as we were taught to write in joined up writing from a very young age (although I remember friends from other schools who never did joined up writing). I have always and probably will always press down very hard when I am writing, so make quite an indent too.

Edward Davidson's signature on the 1911 census

I have two signatures, one which is neat and legible and one which I use at work which is a scribble for I have worked out I can sign my name more than 100 times a day sometimes, so it has to be a squiggle (and I get sick of signing my name on everything).

My great, great grandfather
Fred Poole's signature on the 1911 census 

I love looking at ancestral records in which my ancestors have signed their own names, I feel it gives me more of an insight into who my ancestors were. I wonder what my descendants will think about my handwriting down the years?

My great, great grandparents signatures on their wedding certificate alongside their witnesses and siblings.