My high school senior nephew cannot read or write cursive

[wishstar]

154. Important skill, since so many letters and records are in cursive

Many government offices still must review forms and applications and evidentiary proof records that are handwritten in cursive. My job would be much more difficult without ability to read handwriting, so I know there must be many jobs that the ability to read cursive will remain an important skill for many more years.

In historical and genealogical research, the ability to decipher cursive is essential for accurate reading and understanding of so many historical records, from Censuses to Ellis Island immigrant ship manifesto records, to church and court records, and personal letters.

Many old records have been and are continuing to be partially transcribed into print, but often the transcribed data is incorrect, missing, incomplete or totally lacking whereas an ability to read the original cursive handwriting can provide complete and accurate understanding of the records.

As a child I was an early voracious reader and read every book in the library children's section except the Babar books that were in cursive, since it took me until 2nd grade or so until I could read cursive.