By Maureen A. Taylor
Can you establish a time frame for
an undated document? The answer is yes, but it can be challenging. Try
answering these questions:
• What style is the handwriting? First, try to identify the handwriting style to provide a general sense of when the document was written. Don't forget to compare the penmanship to other records possibly written by the same person.
• Is there a watermark? Wearing gloves, hold the sheet of paper up to the light. Watermarks are set into the paper and identify the paper manufacturer. If there is one, you can then research that company at a large public library to see when that particular watermark was used.
• What type of paper is it? Various styles of paper became fashionable at different dates, so examine the sheet of paper for color, edging and size. For example, parchment paper was not manufactured in the United States until 1885.
• What was used to create the
document? Other factors such as type of pen or pencil, ink erasure marks, and even drying sand and blotters can help you learn more about the document in your hands. Certain styles of pen nibs became popular at various times, so by comparing the undated document to another one from the same person may help you judge when it was created.
• Does a stamp appear on the
document? Postage stamps and wax seals can reveal a date for a document.
Still having trouble? Consult a professional. If establishing a date becomes important, contact the American Society of Questioned Document Examiners. The society maintains a referral list of members on its Web site at www.asqde.org.