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Latin is the language of the Romans. Through the continuing influence of Roman civilization and the use of Latin by the Catholic Church many genealogical resources are written in Latin. This page provides information about the language, including grammar, and a Latin to English wordlist.<br> | |||
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=== Usage === | |||
Nearly all Roman Catholic church records used Latin to some extent. | |||
Latin was used in the records of most European countries and in the Roman Catholic records of the United States and Canada. Because Latin was used in so many countries, local usage varied. Certain terms were commonly used in some countries but not in others. In addition, the Latin used in British records has more abbreviations than the Latin used in European records. | Latin was used in the records of most European countries and in the Roman Catholic records of the United States and Canada. Because Latin was used in so many countries, local usage varied. Certain terms were commonly used in some countries but not in others. In addition, the Latin used in British records has more abbreviations than the Latin used in European records. | ||
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Some words can be either masculine or feminine, such as ''patrinus'' (godfather) and ''patrina'' (godmother). This word list usually gives only the male form even though a female form may occur in Latin records. Thus, given the word ''famulus'' (servant), you can conclude that ''famula'' is a female servant. Similarly, this word list gives only ''natus est'' ("he was born"). You can conclude that ''nata est'' means "she was born." The plural form ''nati sunt'' means "they were born." | Some words can be either masculine or feminine, such as ''patrinus'' (godfather) and ''patrina'' (godmother). This word list usually gives only the male form even though a female form may occur in Latin records. Thus, given the word ''famulus'' (servant), you can conclude that ''famula'' is a female servant. Similarly, this word list gives only ''natus est'' ("he was born"). You can conclude that ''nata est'' means "she was born." The plural form ''nati sunt'' means "they were born." | ||
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==== Examples and Exceptions<br> ==== | ==== Examples and Exceptions<br> ==== | ||
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This word list includes only the words ''most commonly found in genealogical sources''. For further help, use a Latin-English dictionary. Latin-English dictionaries are available on each floor of the [[Family History Library|Family History Library]]. The call numbers begin with 473.21. | This word list includes only the words ''most commonly found in genealogical sources''. For further help, use a Latin-English dictionary. Latin-English dictionaries are available on each floor of the [[Family History Library|Family History Library]]. The call numbers begin with 473.21. | ||
Many resources exist that will help you read Latin genealogical records. One of these is the [https://www.familysearch.org/learn/researchcourses Reading Handwritten Records Series] of free online classes available at familysearch.org. This series includes one interactive lesson about Latin words and phrases, which includes a printable handout of key words and phrases. | |||
Another resource is the National Archives of England, they have 12 online lessons covering latin records from 1086 to 1733, each lesson provides step by step instructions and is listed under the title of "[http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/latin/beginners/tutorial/default.htm Beginners' Latin Tutorial]". | |||
The Internet can be of great assistance in trying to translate Latin. There are some dictionaries and word lists as well as some sites that will translate for you. One good website is [http://archives.nd.edu/words.html William Whitaker's Words] for translating words. [http://www.sunsite.ubc.ca/LatinDictionary/HyperText/latin-dict-full.html Latin Dictionary] and [http://archives.nd.edu/latgramm.htm Latin Dictionary and Grammar Aid] are Latin dictionaries. It is important to remember with using any of these websites that you have to be careful about accepting the meaning. Be sure that the meaning makes sense with what you are trying to translate.<br> | |||
The following Latin-English dictionary is available on microfilm for use in [[Introduction to LDS Family History Centers|Family History Centers]]: | The following Latin-English dictionary is available on microfilm for use in [[Introduction to LDS Family History Centers|Family History Centers]]: | ||
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[[Category:Word_List]] </div> | |||
[[Category:Word_List]] | |||