Reading & Understanding Old Documents

Is it a C or a G? An F or an S? What did they mean by calling my ancestor a pettifogger? What month is Fructidor? What the heck is Sütterlin script?

Reading and understanding old documents often presents a challenge for genealogists of all skill levels. Like most things, it requires patience and a lot of practice. But with the right tools and some hands-on practice, you'll soon be reading and understanding old documents like a pro! Once you feel you understand the basics, the best way to really learn the craft is to practice, practice, practice.  Did I say practice? These online document and handwriting examples and tutorials should help you get started.