Some help for those attempting to read old handwriting

The recently released images of Roman Catholic parish records have been perplexing to those of us unused to reading old handwriting.  While there is no simple recipe for converting the handwriting of long dead priests into modern type (or even early 20th century Palmer method penmanship), the following guide to recognizing how the letters of the alphabet were written during the last several centuries might help.  Thanks to Pat Sullivan for this reference.