Read old scripture: I have learned this self-educated by doing it. Today but also in former days there were people they can write more accurate or less. And there are writings easier to read and less easy. And sources are sometimes in a better and sometimes in a worse condition or the copies (micro films) they are in a better or worse condition. In my opinion, learn of reading of “the” old scripture by a textbook is not possible because “the” old scripture is not existing. Every era has its own style. I have brought some examples from different periods:

1930
1904
1877
1828
1751
1709
1650
1565
1483
1485
1481

1930 (marriage record Großheppach):

1904 (marraige record Großheppach):

1877 (marriage record Großheppach):

1828 (marriage record Großheppach):

1751 (marriage record Großheppach):

1709 (burial record Großheppach):

d[en] 12. Marty ward ein Elender Tropff begraben, Namens Albrecht Weller, Rudlolph Wellers gewesenen burger allhie hinterlaßner Ehl: Sohn, atat: gegen 42 Jahr, hat Sich das letzte Jahr bey seiner Schwester, Hanß Jerg behen weib auffgehalten, ist also von derselbigen liderley tractiert worden.

1650 (marriage record Großheppach):

1565 (marriage record Großheppach):

Jtem den 3 Nouembris ein Ehe
vsgeruff[en] Ciliac Rebman, Margre=
tha Caspars Schmid[en] verlasne
Witfrau beede vo[n] Grossen Hep
pach anno [15]65

1483 (tax record: inventory book Großheppach):

Hanns Löffler Schuldthaiß,
Zins[t] außer Ain morgen wisen
Jnn Wagwisen Zwischen Caspar
Treybern Vnd Hanns Schert=
lin Allt gelegen, Oben An
Vz Vayhinger, Vnnd vnden
vf den weg Stossende
Fünfzehen Schilling

1485 (tax record: Stock book Großheppach):

Vo[n] Zinß vnd gilt der pfar[r] zü grossen=
Heckbach erneüwert vor aine[n] gantzen
gericht in dem Jar alß ma[n] zalt nach
crist geburt M iiii^c lxxxv [1485]

1481 (Tax record: Stock book Großheppach):

Jtem der Jung lang Hensin git all Jar
vß He[r]vß ai[ne] Halben morgen
wingartz, gena[n]t der pfad ist an
stösser oben an walther meßners
wingart vnd darneben Hanß bon-
holtz winga[r]t git Conlin wernher

As the people were more or less writing, as they learned or heard it, there are influences of dialects. So it is easier, if you know something about the dialect.

Often there are used abbreviations. To learn these autodidactic is sometimes difficult or not possible. I want to do two recommendations: One is the reference book „Taschenbuch für Familiengeschichtsforschung“, and the small but very efficient book from Jörg Heinrich and Martin Klöpfer about abbreviations mostly from their researches in Württemberg "Abkürzungen und Schriftbesonderheiten ...”. Details you will find in the bibliography.