of handwriting and the characteristics of old documents. The opening portion of the book introduces the reader to the challenges that come with deciphering old records, highlighting the importance of perseverance and methodical learning. The author discusses the evolution of handwriting styles over generations, emphasizing how personal and educational influences shape an individual's script. Thoyts also sets the stage for the content of the book by expressing the author's own experiences as a novice, reinforcing the book's purpose as a resource for those seeking to engage in antiquarian research and to understand the nuances involved in reading and interpreting historical deeds and manuscripts. (This is an automatically generated summary.)