Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Relationships

Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

Original poster

Help with a very old secret letter

138 replies

Mindtrope · 17/12/2016 20:17

I have an old letter 1903, it has been found recently, and may explain some unknown parentage but we can hardly read it. In fragile but good condition, but written in such archaic / florid script we can hardly read. Is there a service we can use?

OP posts:
frauleinsallybowles · 18/12/2016 11:15

.

AtSea1979 · 18/12/2016 11:15

.

MopedManiac · 18/12/2016 11:16

I am used to deciphering Dr's shocking writing on referral forms so happy to give it a go! Besides I'm a sucker for a mystery! Grin

Original poster
Mindtrope · 18/12/2016 11:16

Just a part of it- I have left out addresses.

Help with a very old secret letter
OP posts:
oldbirdy · 18/12/2016 11:20

Can you change the contrast, lighten it a bit and make it black and white?

oldbirdy · 18/12/2016 11:21

He is talking about house hunting and taking a place in Holyrood place (palace?)

BoreOfWhabylon · 18/12/2016 11:22

Love this - come on MN experts!

Original poster
Mindtrope · 18/12/2016 11:22

Maybe clearer

Help with a very old secret letter
OP posts:
Original poster
Mindtrope · 18/12/2016 11:24

THis

Help with a very old secret letter
OP posts:
Original poster
Mindtrope · 18/12/2016 11:26

Or this

Help with a very old secret letter
OP posts:
NoSunNoMoon · 18/12/2016 11:36

I do hope you got ?well? safe back to your old home again, no place like home. So I hope you found all things going all right. I was up seeing Mrs Knott today and she is very busy house hunting. So I think they will be ?take? a room in Holyrood Place. What do you think of that ????? ????? together?

So you will have to excuse me in not writing ?early? but to tell you the truth. We have barely time to get our ???????? now it is work and sleep. But when I do start I am not ?easy? stopped. So I have never got a scrap of a ???????? together.

Huskylover1 · 18/12/2016 11:38

Some gaps, but this is what I read:

Back again to your old home again, so brave like
So now found all things going all right, I was up seeing (name) today and she is away busy house huntingthey will be take a room in Holyrood Place. What do you think of that? together now you have to because me waking but to tell you the truth we have barely time to get our meals how it is, work and sleep, but when I do start I am but barely stopped so have at a

Bear in mind Op, this letter was probably written by a Scottish person, aa Holyrood Place is in Edinburgh, so there may well be some regional dialect used.

oldbirdy · 18/12/2016 11:39

If they are ....Me they are far away....I could get plenty of them if I was wanting them and you know But never mind Mrs Watson they will need me before I need them But I don't like that dirty way in doing things (hole in paper) but Mrs Watson ....Were in the know....Her and ....Well and let me know I will never let them know where I got my information they will never think of you giving me news I will change my hand of write on the envelopes so as the postmen will not know where the letters are from and so that will keep them in the dark So dear Mrs Watson I have not much (ends)

myoriginal3 · 18/12/2016 11:43

Sounds like part of continuing correspondence.

Karrot · 18/12/2016 11:56

It definitely says Holyrood Place, not Palace - which is in Plymouth according to a quick google search, which makes more sense with where you knew your relatives lived, OP?

Original poster
Mindtrope · 18/12/2016 12:07

It would be Edinburgh, the address at top of the letter is Edinburgh.

OP posts:
Original poster
Mindtrope · 18/12/2016 12:10

There is no Holyrood PLace in Edinburgh though, so it must be palace.
I'll pm the full letter if anyone wants to see, I don't want the Daily Mail getting their hands on it.

OP posts:
luckiestgirl · 18/12/2016 12:12

Wow, well done PP. I wouldn't know where to start with that letter!

YetAnotherSpartacus · 18/12/2016 12:18

How fascinating! Please keep us updated with finds!

Bluebelle38 · 18/12/2016 12:21

Gosh, some of you are incredible. I was convinced it said "has been a a very busy mouse" lol. I'll get my coat... 😂😂😂

Ginkypig · 18/12/2016 12:24

maps.nls.uk/view/125334222

Hi I don't know if this is of help but this is a map of edinburgh from 1907

NoSunNoMoon · 18/12/2016 12:26

You can send it to me, please, happy to have a go. :)

Karrot · 18/12/2016 12:26

Wow, they must have been pretty well connected to get rooms in Holyrood palace!!! Love this kind of stuff.

Original poster
Mindtrope · 18/12/2016 13:13

I can't send an attachment on a pm. If anyone would like to have a go at the full letter pm me your email.
Thanks I appreciate your help.

OP posts:
Original poster
Mindtrope · 18/12/2016 13:15

Maybe they were staff at Holyrood?

OP posts: