Heritage Script

Let us help you unlock your past

Expert palaeography and transcription of British historical documents —
Wills, parish registers, deeds and legal records from 1550–1900

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Can't Read Your Historical Document?

You've found it — an ancestor's will, a property deed, a court record, a parish register. It could unlock your family history. But secretary hand, court hand, and other historical scripts from the 16th–19th centuries can be impossible to decipher without specialist training.

That's where Heritage Script comes in. A professional palaeography and transcription service based in Sussex, specialising in British historical documents from 1550–1900. Old handwriting isn't simply messy — it follows entirely different rules, with unfamiliar letter forms, heavy abbreviation and Latin legal phrases. Find out more in the glossary.

30 Years Legal Experience

Former legal secretary at prestigious London law firms. I understand legal terminology, document structure, and the language of wills, deeds, and court records.

Specialist Palaeographer

Trained in reading 16th–19th century historical scripts including secretary hand, court hand, and early modern legal scripts. What looks impossible to most researchers is readable to me.

Accuracy & Context

I don't just transcribe—I provide context. Uncertain readings are clearly marked. Archaic terms are explained. You get a document you can actually use.

From Manuscript to Transcription

A letter written in 1589 by Henry Herbert, Earl of Pembroke, in his own secretary hand — and the opening lines as I transcribed them.

Autograph letter from Henry Herbert, 2nd Earl of Pembroke, dated 2 October 1589, in secretary hand

Transcription · opening lines

  1. After my verie hartie comendac[i]ons. I receaved th[e] 1. of October
  2. from the ll. of her ma[jes]t[ie]s privey Councell, the l[ett]res wherof I have
  3. sent yow a copie heerinclosed: yt hathe pleased her ma[jes]tie (as
  4. yow knowe) for the meet accomplishment of theise and the like
  5. s[er]vice (w[hi]ch in places soe scattered as the Counties are wherin I
  6. am authorized Lieutenant, can not by my self in p[er]son be p[er]formed)

The National Archives, C 115/98, fol. 20. Each line matches the original, with abbreviations expanded in square brackets. See the full sample and plain-English reading.

How It Works

1

Send Your Document

Email me photographs or scans of your document — phone photos are usually fine.

2

Free Quote

I'll assess the document and provide a no-obligation quote within 24 hours. A small assessment fee applies for complex documents — deducted from your invoice if you proceed.

3

I Transcribe

Careful, accurate transcription with uncertain readings marked and terms explained where needed.

4

Preview & Payment

I'll email you the first page (or about 25% of shorter documents) as a PDF preview to verify quality. Once you're happy and payment is received, you receive a Google Docs link to the complete transcription.

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What Clients Say

★★★★★
“With her unique skillset, she brought to life documents that otherwise were completely unintelligible. I cannot recommend her more highly.”

Melanie Fein

17th-century Chancery documents

★★★★★
“The final report was very detailed; exactly what I needed. The fee was reasonable, especially when you consider the high quality of the product.”

Paul S.

Will transcription, 16th-century document

★★★★★
“First class. Simply the best from start to finish in terms of service, quality and cost.”

Ed Harris

Will transcription, 18th-century document

Read all reviews

Documents I Transcribe

I work with the full range of British historical documents from 1550–1900. If you have a document not listed here, get in touch — I can usually help with any handwritten English-language record.

Wills & Probate Records

Last wills and testaments in secretary hand, probate inventories, letters of administration, executor accounts. 17th and 18th century wills are a speciality.

Parish Registers

Baptism, marriage, and burial registers from Anglican and Nonconformist churches. Often the key to unlocking earlier generations of your family tree.

Property Deeds & Indentures

Conveyances, lease agreements, mortgage deeds, marriage settlements. Often contain crucial family information beyond simple property transfers.

Court Records & Depositions

Quarter Sessions records, trial depositions, witness statements, settlement examinations, removal orders, bastardy bonds.

Personal Correspondence

Letters, diaries, journals, family papers — often the most intimate and revealing documents in your family history.

Manorial & Land Records

Manorial court rolls, tithe maps and apportionments, enclosure awards, land tax assessments, hearth tax records.

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Serving Family Historians Worldwide

Whether you're researching in the UK or tracing British ancestry from overseas, Heritage Script provides expert transcription of historical documents.

USA Clients

Tracing British ancestry? Being in the UK means your document can be worked on while you sleep. Payment in USD via PayPal.

Australia & New Zealand

Colonial ancestors, convict records, British family origins—I understand the documents you're finding and can make them readable.

Canada

British-Canadian ancestry research? English and Scottish records transcribed with expertise in historical and legal documents.

UK Clients

Based in West Sussex. Member of Sussex Family History Group. Expert in English, Scottish, and Irish records. Quotes within 24 hours and local knowledge.

Payment: PayPal or bank transfer. Quotes in GBP (£); international clients can pay in USD, AUD, CAD, or any currency.

Ready to Unlock Your Documents?

Stop struggling with impossible handwriting. Let an expert help you discover what your ancestors left behind.

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