i have an old document from the 1600's 12 pgs, it looks maybe like old english? who checks these things out?

Question

Ok...i just dug it out, the tag on the cardboard frame that it is in, not enclosed, says its family accounts between a mother and her son. its hard to understand but the first paragrah goes...Le vingt et cinquicine? tauv doctobice? neif fise ecncefoisoante er disc avant Midy, ( the question marks are mine, some letters i can't make out) then it starts again with Devant, noua Rene Baslaud Molaiue ? Royal a Chaugontier Fuvem ? and goes on... the first side of the last page has Morng ir mouer Notaive Royal Ludier, on the last page left hand side is, Cont I Ce qu, map moiu m, jon A or I letter. on the right side is Du 25. October 1670. Conjte fait Entien ? Madame De La Cheuallrie ? El Monsiour Du Chastirgnir jon filt ?... it is also written on both sides in caligraphy style, and oh, I found this at a thrift store in Minnesota. any ideas on how to preserve this? Thanks again

Answer 1

Antiques Road Show.

Answer 2

I don't know where you live, but any document from the 1600s could be valuable. If you live near a university, take it to their library archives, and ask for an opinion. Curious as to where you got such a document! Can you read or understand any of the old English? The script is a lot like German in appearance (old German, not modern day German) and the letter 's' looks like an 'f'. Handle it very carefully -- actually, you should wear white cotton gloves when you touch the pages. I'm not kidding -- oils from your skin can damage old parchment.
Sounds like it's going to be fun finding out where it came from, and what it says.

Answer 3

You may want to contact The Huntington Library in Pasadena, California. They have an enormous amount of old manuscripts and documents and can probably assist you in finding out how to authenticate yours. Or try the Library of Congress. They once sent me information on preserving WW2 newspapers. Both can be found on the Internet.

Answer 4

I would go to the foreign language department of the nearest university and see if you can find someone to translate the French.

I'm doubting it's worth much unless it's your family, then it would have sentimental value. Or if it is the writing of a historical figure.

Don't get greedy about it, enjoying the mystery is much more worth the excitement.

Good luck.

Answer 5

Contact a good University or if you're near to London, The British Museum. Do this as soon as you can. Keep the document out of direct sunlight, flat and do not expose it to extremes of temperature. Good luck!

Answer 6

Ask British Library which was India Office Library.

Answer 7

Don't tell me I'm the only one on here who recognizes French.
I only had one semester of that language but I recognize a few of the words. Example: vingt, the French word for the number five.(oon, doo,twah, katra,vingt...etc.)
If it were mine I would be very excited...It may be Louisiana Purchase related. Guard it.

Answer 8

If it's from the 1600s, it would probably be Early Modern English (hard to believe, it's so different from what we recognize), the same that Shakespeare wrote in.

I would suggest calling your local museum or historical society to see if they have anyone to reccomend.

Answer 9

PLEASE do not scan it, under any circumstances, light destroys manuscripts. It's early modern French, without a doubt. Sounds like a family tree, dates and some references to "sons" possibly ("fils" = "son" in modern French). Take it to a linguist, then an antiquities dealer.

Answer 10

The best thing to do is call your public library and ask if they have an expert that can help you. You don't want to lose it.

Keep it safe. Hopefully, you can stand with library expert, as he/she goes through it.

Don't let it out of your sight.