Editor’s note: A Meadville resident, Tanialee Bowman, has been studying handwriting analysis for about 15 years. While recovering from surgeries, she spent her time studying the Lindbergh kidnaping case, then also became very interested in the JonBenet Ramsey case in the mid-1990s. Both of these focused on handwriting analysis, and gave Bowman a deep interest in the topic. Readers who are interested in discussing aspects of handwriting analysis with her may contact Tanialee at topolx@yahoo.com.



By Tanialee Bowman

special to the meadville tribune

Handwriting analysis, or graphology as it is commonly referred to, is simply a scientific tool with which to determine the makeup or personality of the individual who did the writing.

Graphology’s roots go as far back as the Roman Empire. The word graphology is derived from Greek: ghraphein which means “to write” and ology which means “the study of.”

Camillo Baldi, an Italian physician who lived during the 1600s, produced the first treatise on graphology. However, it wasn’t until 1872 that two French monks developed a systematic study and handwriting analysis received its

proper due. From there, it spread to Germany and onto the United States. Some universities in the U.S. teach handwriting analysis as part of their curriculum.

As noted American author Milton N. Bunker stated in his book, “What Handwriting Tells You,” handwriting is a splendid example of cause and effect. When one puts pen to paper, one is leaving undeniable clues. Neurological impulses sent down from the brain into the fingertips produce handwriting “fingerprints” that can only be detected by the trained eye.

This is where the certified handwriting analyst can make an entrance. Businessmen, physicians, psychologists, police departments and your average “Joe” can utilize this expertise. Haven’t you ever wanted to know why your boss overlooked you for that raise you thought you’d get? Or did Aunt Janey really like that odd gift you sent her for Christmas last year? The thank-you card she sent you may hold some clues.

Sad to say but one of the most-asked graphology questions is, “Is he cheating on me?” The answer to that lies within the young man’s “p” strokes! Of course this is just a minute sampling of what graphology can reveal.



Most famous case

It was the Lindbergh kidnapping case of 1932 that initiated my becoming a certified analyst. I had been studying this fascinating but outdated case for years. I’ve never held to the theory that Bruno Richard Hauptman was guilty of kidnapping the Lindbergh baby, therefore I would agree with many others that he probably didn’t write the ransom notes either.

Hauptman died in the electric chair swearing that he was innocent and that God would be the avenger of the truth. Many noted handwriting experts of that era attested to the fact that Hauptman was indeed the author of the notes. However, Bunker has detailed in his book, “The Science of Determining Personality by Graphoanalysis” that Bruno Hauptman was not the author of the ransom notes and explicitly explains why.

The unique blending of the Lindbergh case and graphology has led me on a marvelous course, one which seems to take on never ending twists and turns.