A vexing problem for many retracement surveyors is reading the cursive script found in many older land records. Surveyors who cannot effectively read cursive are at risk of discovering they missed important information, or simply worrying they may have. Reading old cursive does not need to be as daunting as some believe. It is not a foreign language, and as with any other surveying task, study and practice is the key. This seminar will offer tips on interpreting cursive writing, from odd abbreviations and contractions to confusing letter styles, and the instructor will help the class “translate” several old documents.