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Identifying Place Names in German documents (view source)
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=== IDENTIFYING PLACES NAMES IN GERMAN DOCUMENTS === | |||
==== Introduction ==== | ==== Introduction ==== | ||
What do these names have in common: Geminipontis? Duobus Pontibus? Biponte? Deuxponts? 2brücken? Czweynbrucken? Tzweinbrucken? Each place refers to the locality name | What do these names have in common: ''Geminipontis''? ''Duobus Pontibus''? ''Biponte''? ''Deuxponts''? ''2brücken''? ''Czweynbrucken''? ''Tzweinbrucken''? Each place refers to the locality name ''Zweibrücken ''as found in original German documents. Interpreting place names can be a challenge for all researchers. It becomes the "highest priority" to determine the correct spelling of a place name. Indeed, without such knowledge, it is virtually impossible to proceed.<br> When you find two or three German family researchers huddled in a library around one microfilm reader in animated conversation and with puzzled looks on their faces, it is quite likely they are trying to determine the correct spelling of a place name [or surname]. Place names as they occur in German documents are not really misspelled. They reflect the language, dialect, the education, and sometimes even the frugality of the scribe. The location (place) where the document was written must also be taken into consideration. Researchers should ask these questions? In what language was the place name written? Has the name been Latinized? Was the document written near the boundaries of another language area, for example: France ? Denmark, or Poland? Was the document recorded in a German colony in Russia, or Hungary? When was the document written? Is the handwriting difficult to decipher? Has the name been abbreviated? The answers to these and numerous other questions will help you determine the spelling of a given name so you can locate the place name on modern maps and in modern gazetteers. <br> German research is first of all "locality" research, then surname research. To begin genealogical research in Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and other German-speaking areas in Europe it is necessary to know the exact place of origin. In many areas of Germany "even the slightest error in the locality searched could easily produce a pedigree of incorrect lineage" A surname can be very common in any given area. Search for complete family units, specific time periods, verify the location, and search all available records to build a correct pedigree. | ||
==== Phonetic Spellings ==== | ==== Phonetic Spellings ==== | ||
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After the gazetteers had been searched without being successful in finding this place, the reference consultant began to analyze the problem to determine what the German spelling for this place could be. Viceneck is not a Germany spelling but a phonetic American spelling. The German spelling could be Weisneck, Weissneck, Weisnek, Weissnek, Weisseneck, Weissenek, Weisnick, Weissnick, Weisnik, Weissnik, Weisnich, Weissnich, etc. | After the gazetteers had been searched without being successful in finding this place, the reference consultant began to analyze the problem to determine what the German spelling for this place could be. Viceneck is not a Germany spelling but a phonetic American spelling. The German spelling could be Weisneck, Weissneck, Weisnek, Weissnek, Weisseneck, Weissenek, Weisnick, Weissnick, Weisnik, Weissnik, Weisnich, Weissnich, etc. | ||
The reference consultant then check the gazetteers for many different spellings but could not find any of them, and he realized that such place does not exist. He wanted to get a clue and find out what was wrong with the spelling of this place name in order to help the patron with this research problem. The consultant asked the patron how the spelling of this place name was obtained and who had given the name to the patron. He was informed that the name of the place was given by word of mouth by a living relative from Germany who did not speak English too well.<br>When the patron asked this relative where his ancestor was born, the answer given was: "Weiss nicht." The answer had been given in the German language. "Weiss nicht" translated into English means "I don't know." The patron, who didn't know the German language thought that "Weiss nicht" was the place where the ancestor was born, which phonetically spelled would be recorded as "Viceneck." | The reference consultant then check the gazetteers for many different spellings but could not find any of them, and he realized that such place does not exist. He wanted to get a clue and find out what was wrong with the spelling of this place name in order to help the patron with this research problem. The consultant asked the patron how the spelling of this place name was obtained and who had given the name to the patron. He was informed that the name of the place was given by word of mouth by a living relative from Germany who did not speak English too well.<br>When the patron asked this relative where his ancestor was born, the answer given was: "Weiss nicht." The answer had been given in the German language. "Weiss nicht" translated into English means "I don't know." The patron, who didn't know the German language thought that "Weiss nicht" was the place where the ancestor was born, which phonetically spelled would be recorded as "''Viceneck''." | ||
==== Places by the same Spelling ==== | ==== Places by the same Spelling ==== | ||
Phonetic spellings of place names is only one of several difficulties in trying to determine correct spellings for places of origin for ancestors from Europe. Another difficulty is that there are sometimes several places by the same spelling in the same province or canton of a German-speaking country. More often there are places by the same spelling found in different provinces or cantons of a certain country. It is also possible that the place name could refer to a place name in a German-speaking area outside of Germany. Problems of this nature are often difficult but not uncommon. <br>The gazetteer of the 1871 Empire of Germany is titled [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&titleno=325694&disp=Meyers+Orts%2D+und+Verkehrs%2DLexikon+de%20%20&columns=*,0,0 Meyers Orts- und Verkehrs- Lexikon]. This gazetteer lists: | |||
35 places by the name of Rosenberg<br>44 places by the name of Kirchberg<br>60 places by the name of Bruch<br>32 places by the name of Bruck<br>48 places by the name of Bühl<br>75 places by the name of Holzhausen<br>81 places by the name of Grünhof<br>96 places by the name of Weinberg<br>100 places by the name of Moos<br>308 places by the name of Neuhof<br>347 places by the name of Neumühle | 35 places by the name of Rosenberg<br> 44 places by the name of Kirchberg<br> 60 places by the name of Bruch<br> 32 places by the name of Bruck<br> 48 places by the name of Bühl<br> 75 places by the name of Holzhausen<br> 81 places by the name of Grünhof<br> 96 places by the name of Weinberg<br> 100 places by the name of Moos<br> 308 places by the name of Neuhof<br> 347 places by the name of Neumühle | ||
In a recent article in the German periodical ''Saarländische Familienkunde ''Bernd Gölzer discusses some of the common errors that can occur in family history research. Focusing on place names he identifies some of the problems that have occurred in the compilation of local family books and family histories when the wrong assumptions have been made by the authors. He illustrates with the place name "Brücken," denoting the word "bridge." He notes that in the church books of Niederkirchen, "Brücken" stands for "Osterbrücken," in the church registers of Mimbach, it stands for "Ohmbachbrücken," and in the court records of Blieskastel, it stands for "Bliesbrücken." He also questions why researchers only search records of Kutzenhausen by Augsburg or Herbitzheim an der Blies when they find these names listed in a family book, when the same place names can be found in the bordering areas of France. He suggests that authors compiling local family books and family histories should clearly identify small localities, such as mills and farms to make searching easier for other researchers.<br> In another example from this same article Gölzer mentions the entry of the marriage of Georg Pitz of Biernbach and Anna Gitinger from Kirkel. The author of one town family book has assumed Biernbach is the same as Birnbach im Rottal. This false assumption has misled many researchers. He explains that "Biernbach" is generally known as "Bierbach bei Blieskastel," and there the marriage entry Bietz-Gutdücken will be found, noting the spelling variation of the surnames.<br> In "Place Names in German-Speaking countries, Gerhard Jeske gives this research example: | In a recent article in the German periodical ''Saarländische Familienkunde ''Bernd Gölzer discusses some of the common errors that can occur in family history research. Focusing on place names he identifies some of the problems that have occurred in the compilation of local family books and family histories when the wrong assumptions have been made by the authors. He illustrates with the place name "Brücken," denoting the word "bridge." He notes that in the church books of Niederkirchen, "Brücken" stands for "Osterbrücken," in the church registers of Mimbach, it stands for "Ohmbachbrücken," and in the court records of Blieskastel, it stands for "Bliesbrücken." He also questions why researchers only search records of Kutzenhausen by Augsburg or Herbitzheim an der Blies when they find these names listed in a family book, when the same place names can be found in the bordering areas of France. He suggests that authors compiling local family books and family histories should clearly identify small localities, such as mills and farms to make searching easier for other researchers.<br> In another example from this same article Gölzer mentions the entry of the marriage of Georg Pitz of Biernbach and Anna Gitinger from Kirkel. The author of one town family book has assumed Biernbach is the same as Birnbach im Rottal. This false assumption has misled many researchers. He explains that "Biernbach" is generally known as "Bierbach bei Blieskastel," and there the marriage entry Bietz-Gutdücken will be found, noting the spelling variation of the surnames.<br> In "Place Names in German-Speaking countries", Gerhard Jeske gives this research example: | ||
Family Tradition might say that an ancestor who spoke German came to the United States from Europe in 1825 from a place by the name of Baden. If this ancestor came from Germany, there are at least three possibilities as to the place of origin. | Family Tradition might say that an ancestor who spoke German came to the United States from Europe in 1825 from a place by the name of Baden. If this ancestor came from Germany, there are at least three possibilities as to the place of origin. | ||
1) The ancestor may have come from the former grand duchy of Baden.<br>2) His place of origin might be the city of Baden, now known as Baden-Baden, which is a district city in the Schwarzwald area (Black Forest) in the former Grand Duchy of Baden, now in the German state of Baden-Württemberg.<br>3) The ancestor could have come from the village of Baden in the district (Kreis) of Achim in the former Prussian province of Hannover, now in the German state of Niedersachsen. | 1) The ancestor may have come from the former grand duchy of Baden.<br> 2) His place of origin might be the city of Baden, now known as Baden-Baden, which is a district city in the Schwarzwald area (Black Forest) in the former Grand Duchy of Baden, now in the German state of Baden-Württemberg.<br> 3) The ancestor could have come from the village of Baden in the district (Kreis) of Achim in the former Prussian province of Hannover, now in the German state of Niedersachsen. | ||
In addition to these three possibilities in Germany, there are two more possibilities, one in Switzerland and one in Austria. | In addition to these three possibilities in Germany, there are two more possibilities, one in Switzerland and one in Austria. | ||
1) The ancestor may have come from the city of Baden in the Canton of Aargau, Switzerland.<br>2) His place of origin might be the city of Baden in Niederösterreich (Lower Austria), Austria. | 1) The ancestor may have come from the city of Baden in the Canton of Aargau, Switzerland.<br> 2) His place of origin might be the city of Baden in Niederösterreich (Lower Austria), Austria. | ||
In such cases every possible effort should be made by the researcher to find some facts in addition to family tradition as to the place of origin of the ancestor, by searching existing records in the United States which might tell where the ancestor originated in Europe. | In such cases every possible effort should be made by the researcher to find some facts in addition to family tradition as to the place of origin of the ancestor, by searching existing records in the United States which might tell where the ancestor originated in Europe. | ||
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==== Gazetteers and Place Name Dictionaries ==== | ==== Gazetteers and Place Name Dictionaries ==== | ||
Did your ancestor come from Schweindorf [Hog village]; Black Cat [Schwarze Katze, Pomerania]; Sumatra [in Brandenburg]; Over-seas [Übersee, Bavaria]; White Flea [Weisse Floh]; Yorkstown [Brandenburg]; Pommern [in Rhineland]; To the Seven Electors [zu den sieben Kurfürsten, Silesia]; or did he live in one of the 20 places in Germany called | Did your ancestor come from ''Schweindorf ''[Hog village]; Black Cat [''Schwarze Katze'', Pomerania]; ''Sumatra ''[in Brandenburg]; Over-seas [''Übersee'', Bavaria]; White Flea [''Weisse Floh'']; Yorkstown [Brandenburg]; ''Pommern ''[in Rhineland]; To the Seven Electors [''zu den sieben Kurfürsten'', Silesia]; or did he live in one of the 20 places in Germany called ''Amerika''? These are just a few of the unusual place names found in German gazetteers. <br> A "gazetteer" is a geographic dictionary. Genealogists use gazetteers to obtain information such as, where, in a certain country, their research is centered, where a given place is found, how its name is spelled, or, if the place is small, where, in a nearly town or village, parish, court, or civil records can be located.5 Place name dictionaries provide examples from documents showing the evolution of a place name and its many spelling variations. <br> When an exact place of origin is known and the researcher wants to find it, gazetteers must be checked. Gerhard Jeske identifies some of the important gazetteers for Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and German settlements in other European countries . Many others are available in print and also on the internet. | ||
Gazetteers - Germany<br>Meyers Orts- und Verkehrs- Lexikon des Deutschen Reichs [FHL 943 E5mo; Film 496,640 and 496,641; fiche 6000001 to 6000029).<br>Müllers Grosses Deutsches Ortsbuch [FHL 943 E5m]<br>Gemeinde und Ortslexikon des Deutschen Reichs [FHL 599,563].<br>Amtliches Gemeinde- und Ortsnamenverzeichnis der Deutschen Ostgebiete under fremder Verwaltung [FHL 943.8 E5b; film 824,243].<br>Kleiner historischer Städtenamen-Schlüssel für Deutschland und die ehemaligen deutschen Gebiete [FHL 943 E5ve]. | '''Gazetteers - Germany'''<br>''Meyers Orts- und Verkehrs- Lexikon des Deutschen Reichs ''[FHL 943 E5mo; Film 496,640 and 496,641; fiche 6000001 to 6000029).<br>''Müllers Grosses Deutsches Ortsbuch ''[FHL 943 E5m]<br>''Gemeinde und Ortslexikon des Deutschen Reichs ''[FHL 599,563].<br>''Amtliches Gemeinde- und Ortsnamenverzeichnis der Deutschen Ostgebiete under fremder Verwaltung ''[FHL 943.8 E5b; film 824,243].<br>''Kleiner historischer Städtenamen-Schlüssel für Deutschland und die ehemaligen deutschen Gebiete ''[FHL 943 E5ve]. | ||
Gazetteers -Switzerland<br>Schweizerisches Ortslexikon [FHL 949.4 E8s].<br>Geographisches Lexikon der Schweiz [FHL 949.4 E5g; film 599,323]<br>Historisches-Biographisches Lexikon der Schweiz [FHL 030.494 H629a]. | '''Gazetteers -Switzerland'''<br>''Schweizerisches Ortslexikon ''[FHL 949.4 E8s].<br>''Geographisches Lexikon der Schweiz ''[FHL 949.4 E5g; film 599,323]<br>''Historisches-Biographisches Lexikon der Schweiz ''[FHL 030.494 H629a]. | ||
Austria<br>Ortsverzeichnis von Österreich [FHL 943.6 E5o]<br>Müllers Ortsbuch für das Land Österreich [FHL 943.6 E5om].<br>Verzeichnis der Post- und Telegraphenämter in Österreich, Ungarn, und in Bosnien-Hercegovina sowie der Österreichischen Postanstalten im Fürstentum Liechtenstein und in der Levante [FHL 943.6 E5a] | '''Austria<br>'''''Ortsverzeichnis von Österreich ''[FHL 943.6 E5o]<br>''Müllers Ortsbuch für das Land Österreich ''[FHL 943.6 E5om].<br>''Verzeichnis der Post- und Telegraphenämter in Österreich, Ungarn, und in Bosnien-Hercegovina sowie der Österreichischen Postanstalten im Fürstentum Liechtenstein und in der Levante ''[FHL 943.6 E5a] | ||
German Settlements in other European Countries<br>Deutsch-fremdsprachiges (fremdsprachig-deutsches) Ortsnamenverzeichnis [FHL 940 E5kt; film 583,457 and 590,387]<br>Gemeindeverzeichnis für Mittel- und Ostdeutschland und die früheren deutschen Siedlungsgebiete im Ausland. [FHL 940 E5v]. | '''German Settlements in other European Countries'''<br>''Deutsch-fremdsprachiges (fremdsprachig-deutsches) Ortsnamenverzeichnis ''[FHL 940 E5kt; film 583,457 and 590,387]<br>''Gemeindeverzeichnis für Mittel- und Ostdeutschland und die früheren deutschen Siedlungsgebiete im Ausland''. [FHL 940 E5v]. | ||
Place Name Dictionaries<br>The following are examples of place name dictionaries available for German areas. Many others are available. | '''Place Name Dictionaries'''<br> The following are examples of place name dictionaries available for German areas. Many others are available. | ||
• Germany - General:<br>Förstemann, E. Altdeutsches Namenbuch, II Die Ortsnamen, 3 Aufl. Bonn 1913-16. | • Germany - General:<br>Förstemann, E.''Altdeutsches Namenbuch, II Die Ortsnamen'', 3 Aufl. Bonn 1913-16. | ||
• Baden:<br>Krieger, A. Topographisches Wörterbuch des Grossherzogtums Baden. Heidelberg, 1904.<br>Karlsruhe Stadtamt. Eingemeindungen und Namesnänderungen von badischen Gemeinden. [Name changes and incorporations of towns in Baden, Germany. [FHL 1180442]. | • Baden:<br>Krieger, A. ''Topographisches Wörterbuch des Grossherzogtums Baden''. Heidelberg, 1904.<br>Karlsruhe Stadtamt. ''Eingemeindungen und Namesnänderungen von badischen Gemeinden''. [Name changes and incorporations of towns in Baden, Germany. [FHL 1180442]. | ||
• Brandenburg:<br>Enders, Lieselott. Historisches Ortslexikon für Brandenburg. Teil VIII. Uckermark. [FHL 943.15 E5e v. 8]. | • Brandenburg:<br>Enders, Lieselott. ''Historisches Ortslexikon für Brandenburg''. Teil VIII. Uckermark. [FHL 943.15 E5e v. 8]. | ||
Lehmann, Rudolf. Historisches Ortslexikon für die Niederlausitz. Band 2. Die Kreise Cottbus, Spremberg, Guben und Sorau. Marburg, 1979. [DD 491 .L395 L39 Bd. 2] | Lehmann, Rudolf. Historisches ''Ortslexikon für die Niederlausitz''. Band 2. ''Die Kreise Cottbus, Spremberg, Guben und Sorau''. Marburg, 1979. [DD 491 .L395 L39 Bd. 2] | ||
• Hessen:<br>Kaufmann, Henning. Rheinhessische Ortsnamen. Die Städte, Dörfer, Wüstungen, Gewässer und Berge der ehemaligen Provinz Rheinhessen und die sprachgeschichtliche Deutung ihrer Namen. Munich: Wilhelm Fink Verlag, 1976. [DD 801 .P491 R485]. | • Hessen:<br>Kaufmann, Henning. ''Rheinhessische Ortsnamen''. ''Die Städte, Dörfer, Wüstungen, Gewässer und Berge der ehemaligen Provinz Rheinhessen und die sprachgeschichtliche Deutung ihrer Namen''. Munich: Wilhelm Fink Verlag, 1976. [DD 801 .P491 R485]. | ||
• Palatine [Pfalz]<br>Dolch, Martin and Albrecht Greule. Historisches Siedlungsnamenbuch der Pfalz. Speyer, 1991. [LOC DD 801 .P43 D65]. | • Palatine [Pfalz]<br>Dolch, Martin and Albrecht Greule. ''Historisches Siedlungsnamenbuch der Pfalz''. Speyer, 1991. [LOC DD 801 .P43 D65]. | ||
• Posen:<br>Königliche Preußische Regierung. Verdeutschung polnischer Ortsnamen 1867-1919. [Germanization of Polish place names in Posen and other ethnic Polish areas during the rise of Prussian authority in Germany]. [FHL 474893-474909; 474920-474921]. | • Posen:<br>''Königliche Preußische Regierung. Verdeutschung polnischer Ortsnamen ''1867-1919. [Germanization of Polish place names in Posen and other ethnic Polish areas during the rise of Prussian authority in Germany]. [FHL 474893-474909; 474920-474921]. | ||
• Rhineland:<br>Dittmaier, Heinrich, Melchers, P., Bach, Adolf. Rheinische Flurnamen: [Dictionary of Rhenish field names. Bonn: Ludwig Röhrscheid Verlag, 1963. [FHL 943.42 E2]. | • Rhineland:<br>Dittmaier, Heinrich, Melchers, P., Bach, Adolf. ''Rheinische Flurnamen'': [Dictionary of Rhenish field names. Bonn: Ludwig Röhrscheid Verlag, 1963. [FHL 943.42 E2]. | ||
• Silesia<br>Slownik etymologiczny nazw geograficznych Slaska [Etymological dictionary of place names in Silesia, Poland, formerly in Germany]. Warsaw, 1968- [FHL 943.85 E2r vols. 1-9]. | • Silesia<br>''Slownik etymologiczny nazw geograficznych Slaska ''[Etymological dictionary of place names in Silesia, Poland, formerly in Germany]. Warsaw, 1968- [FHL 943.85 E2r vols. 1-9]. | ||
==== Research Examples Using Gazetteers ==== | ==== Research Examples Using Gazetteers ==== | ||
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Example No. 2<br> A patron wanted to find out where the town of Kleinich, now in the state of Rheinland-Pfalz, was formerly located. Meyers gazetteer was checked but a place by the name of Kleinich was not listed. Then Müllers gazetteer was checked and here Kleinich was found. However, this gazetteer does not indicate the former state or province in which the places were located before World War II. Next the German General Atlas (Deutscher General Atlas), [FHL Ref Q 943 E3m] was checked and on page 71 Kleinich was found. In addition a place by the name of Oberkleinich, south of Kleinich, and a place by the name of Thalkleinich, north of Kleinich, were found in the atlas.<br> All three of these places are listed in Müllers gazetteer, but only one of them, Thalkleinich, is listed in Meyers gazetteer. When the gazetteer of Prussia was checked it was found that Kleinich was formerly spelled with a "C," Cleinich. This was the reason why it was not found in Meyers under "K," Kleinich. Oberkleinich was also spelled with a 'C," Obercleinich, but Thalkleinich was spelled with "k." The spellings of the places as listed in the Prussian gazetteer (on microfilm 475,861) were also found in Meyers gazetteer and the former province in which these three places were located was Rhineland, Prussia. | Example No. 2<br> A patron wanted to find out where the town of Kleinich, now in the state of Rheinland-Pfalz, was formerly located. Meyers gazetteer was checked but a place by the name of Kleinich was not listed. Then Müllers gazetteer was checked and here Kleinich was found. However, this gazetteer does not indicate the former state or province in which the places were located before World War II. Next the German General Atlas (Deutscher General Atlas), [FHL Ref Q 943 E3m] was checked and on page 71 Kleinich was found. In addition a place by the name of Oberkleinich, south of Kleinich, and a place by the name of Thalkleinich, north of Kleinich, were found in the atlas.<br> All three of these places are listed in Müllers gazetteer, but only one of them, Thalkleinich, is listed in Meyers gazetteer. When the gazetteer of Prussia was checked it was found that Kleinich was formerly spelled with a "C," Cleinich. This was the reason why it was not found in Meyers under "K," Kleinich. Oberkleinich was also spelled with a 'C," Obercleinich, but Thalkleinich was spelled with "k." The spellings of the places as listed in the Prussian gazetteer (on microfilm 475,861) were also found in Meyers gazetteer and the former province in which these three places were located was Rhineland, Prussia. | ||
Example No. 3<br> A birth and christening record from the Evangelical parish of Gontkowitz Kreis Militsch, Schlesien (Silesia), Prussia, now G¹dkowice, Wroc³aw, Poland for the year 1839 indicated that the residence of the parents was Nr. Woidnikowe. The residences of the godparents were listed as Ob. Woidnikowe and N. Woidnikowe. The abbreviations N. and Nr. Stand for the descriptive word "Nieder" meaning "lower" and the abbreviation Ob. stands for the descriptive word "Ober," meaning "upper." The birth record was very legible, omitting the possibility of misinterpreting the handwriting.<br>Listed below are some of the most common reasons why place names cannot be found when the given spelling is wrong:<br>1. Misinterpretation of handwriting.<br>2. Incorrect spellings given by those recording the information, including official scribes, ministers, and civil registrars.<br>3. Localities have been absorbed by larger towns.<br>4. Places are no longer in existence because of destruction by nature or through wars.<br>5. Place name changes have occurred over the years. | Example No. 3<br> A birth and christening record from the Evangelical parish of Gontkowitz Kreis Militsch, Schlesien (Silesia), Prussia, now G¹dkowice, Wroc³aw, Poland for the year 1839 indicated that the residence of the parents was Nr. Woidnikowe. The residences of the godparents were listed as Ob. Woidnikowe and N. Woidnikowe. The abbreviations N. and Nr. Stand for the descriptive word "Nieder" meaning "lower" and the abbreviation Ob. stands for the descriptive word "Ober," meaning "upper." The birth record was very legible, omitting the possibility of misinterpreting the handwriting.<br>Listed below are some of the most common reasons why place names cannot be found when the given spelling is wrong:<br> 1. Misinterpretation of handwriting.<br> 2. Incorrect spellings given by those recording the information, including official scribes, ministers, and civil registrars.<br> 3. Localities have been absorbed by larger towns.<br> 4. Places are no longer in existence because of destruction by nature or through wars.<br> 5. Place name changes have occurred over the years. | ||
<br> Taking these possibilities into consideration, 12 different gazetteers were checked to find Nieder and Ober Woidnikowe, but none of these gazetteers listed the places. Following is a list of gazetteers that were checked:<br>1. Meyers Orts- und Verkehrs-Lexikon des Deutschen Reichs. [FHL 943 E5mo].<br>2. Gemeindelexikon für die Provinz Schlesien. [FHL 943 E5kp vol. 6]<br>3. Gemeindelexikon für den Freistatt Preussen, Provinz Niederschlesien. [FHL 943 E5fp Vol. 6]<br>4. Müllers Grosses Deutsches Ortsbuch. [FHL 943 E5m]<br>5. Amtliches Gemeinde- und Ortsnamenverzeichnis der Deutschen Ostgebiete unter fremder Verwaltung. [FHL 943.8 E5b Vol. 2]<br>6. Historisch-geographisches Wörterbuch des deutschen Mittelalters. [Ref 943 E5oe].<br>7. Henius Grosses Orts- und Verkehrs-Lexikon für das Deutsche Reich. [943 E5ho]<br>8. Namensänderungen ehemals preussischer Gemeinde von 1850 bis 1942. [FHL 943 E5vf].<br>9. Deutsch-fremsprachiges (fremdsprachig-deutsches) Ortsnamenverzeichnis. [Q 940 E5kt].<br>10. Gemeinde und Ortslexikon des Deutschen Reichs (1901). [FHL 599,563]<br>11. S³ownik Geograficzny Królestwa Polskiego. [FHL 943.8 E5c]<br>12. Spis Miejscowosci Polskieg Rzeszypospolitej Ludowej. [943.8 E5s]<br>13. Kowallis, Otto. A Genealogical Guide and Atlas of Silesia. | <br> Taking these possibilities into consideration, 12 different gazetteers were checked to find Nieder and Ober Woidnikowe, but none of these gazetteers listed the places. Following is a list of gazetteers that were checked:<br> 1. Meyers Orts- und Verkehrs-Lexikon des Deutschen Reichs. [FHL 943 E5mo].<br> 2. Gemeindelexikon für die Provinz Schlesien. [FHL 943 E5kp vol. 6]<br> 3. Gemeindelexikon für den Freistatt Preussen, Provinz Niederschlesien. [FHL 943 E5fp Vol. 6]<br> 4. Müllers Grosses Deutsches Ortsbuch. [FHL 943 E5m]<br> 5. Amtliches Gemeinde- und Ortsnamenverzeichnis der Deutschen Ostgebiete unter fremder Verwaltung. [FHL 943.8 E5b Vol. 2]<br> 6. Historisch-geographisches Wörterbuch des deutschen Mittelalters. [Ref 943 E5oe].<br> 7. Henius Grosses Orts- und Verkehrs-Lexikon für das Deutsche Reich. [943 E5ho]<br> 8. Namensänderungen ehemals preussischer Gemeinde von 1850 bis 1942. [FHL 943 E5vf].<br> 9. Deutsch-fremsprachiges (fremdsprachig-deutsches) Ortsnamenverzeichnis. [Q 940 E5kt].<br> 10. Gemeinde und Ortslexikon des Deutschen Reichs (1901). [FHL 599,563]<br> 11. S³ownik Geograficzny Królestwa Polskiego. [FHL 943.8 E5c]<br> 12. Spis Miejscowosci Polskieg Rzeszypospolitej Ludowej. [943.8 E5s]<br> 13. Kowallis, Otto. A Genealogical Guide and Atlas of Silesia. | ||
==== Checking Detailed Maps ==== | ==== Checking Detailed Maps ==== | ||
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==== Places names in foreign languages ==== | ==== Places names in foreign languages ==== | ||
Place names can take a variety of forms when applied to different languages. Note these endings of place names and the changes that can occur when applied to various languages. | |||
-dorf = ville [French] = wieƒ [Polish] = village<br> -hof = -gaard [Danish] = farm<br> -feld = mark [Danish] = field<br> -wald = -fôret [French] = forest<br> -mühle = mølle [Danish] = mill<br> -holz = skov [Danish] = grove | -dorf = ville [French] = wieƒ [Polish] = village<br> -hof = -gaard [Danish] = farm<br> -feld = mark [Danish] = field<br> -wald = -fôret [French] = forest<br> -mühle = mølle [Danish] = mill<br> -holz = skov [Danish] = grove | ||
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==== Slavic Influence ==== | ==== Slavic Influence ==== | ||
Both Polish and Russian are highly inflected languages. This means that endings are added to stems of words to signal changes in meanings. Nouns, adjectives and pronouns can be declined and change the structure of a word. A place name can take on a different look when various endings are added. This can be confusing to researchers even if the Polish or Russian equivalent name of the place is known. Some common place name forms in Germany and Polish are:<br> Ober = górny = upper<br> Unter = dolny = lower<br> Gross = wielki = large<br> Neu = nowy = new | |||
German and equivalent Sorbic place names from the German Postal Directory. Wendish (Sorbic) areas of Germany include: | German and equivalent Sorbic place names from the German Postal Directory. Wendish (Sorbic) areas of Germany include these: | ||
<br> | <br> | ||
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Latin names for localities are found frequently in parish register entries. ''Villa nova ''(Latin); ''Villeneuve'' (French); and ''Neuhof'' (German), and Newtown or Newton (English) are names for the same place. . Latin or Greek place names are very common in University matriculation records. (see illustration). The Latin prepositions "ex" [from or out of] and "de" [from] often precede the Latin places names. Latinized place names when following a preposition commonly have these endings: -anus, -inus, and -ensis. Examples of Latin places names:<br> Parthenopolis = Magdeburg<br> Regiomont(i)um or "ex Regiomontanus" = Königsberg or "from Königsberg"<br> Borussia = Prussia<br> Marchia = Mark Brandenburg<br> Gryphiberga = Greiffenberg, Schlesien, Prussia<br> Guelferbytum or Wolfenbuttela = Wolfenbüttel, Braunschweig | Latin names for localities are found frequently in parish register entries. ''Villa nova ''(Latin); ''Villeneuve'' (French); and ''Neuhof'' (German), and Newtown or Newton (English) are names for the same place. . Latin or Greek place names are very common in University matriculation records. (see illustration). The Latin prepositions "ex" [from or out of] and "de" [from] often precede the Latin places names. Latinized place names when following a preposition commonly have these endings: -anus, -inus, and -ensis. Examples of Latin places names:<br> Parthenopolis = Magdeburg<br> Regiomont(i)um or "ex Regiomontanus" = Königsberg or "from Königsberg"<br> Borussia = Prussia<br> Marchia = Mark Brandenburg<br> Gryphiberga = Greiffenberg, Schlesien, Prussia<br> Guelferbytum or Wolfenbuttela = Wolfenbüttel, Braunschweig | ||
Thomas Otto Achelis in "Die Bedeutung der Universitätsmatrikeln für den Familienforscher" [The importance of University Registers for the Family Researcher] states that students often gave the name of a larger, more well-known city as their place of origin instead of their native village or birthplace. Place names in Latin can be found on the internet at [http://www.columbia.edu/acis/ets/Graesse/contents.html Orbis Latinus online ]. | Thomas Otto Achelis in "Die Bedeutung der Universitätsmatrikeln für den Familienforscher" [The importance of University Registers for the Family Researcher] states that students often gave the name of a larger, more well-known city as their place of origin instead of their native village or birthplace. Place names in Latin can be found on the internet at [http://www.columbia.edu/acis/ets/Graesse/contents.html Orbis Latinus online ]. | ||
==== Key to Locating Places Names ==== | ==== Key to Locating Places Names ==== | ||
Often the first letter of a given spelling for a certain place name is incorrect, but many times other letters in the middle of the place name are also incorrect. Some place names may have additional letters at the end which should not be there, other place names may have letters missing that should be there. The researcher who is familiar with German place names may recognize the correct name of a misspelled town or village, but often it is very difficult and sometimes almost impossible to determine the correct spelling of a given place name. The examples below from actual research problems indicate how certain letters may have been used by the scribe and how they appear in modern gazetteers. | Often the first letter of a given spelling for a certain place name is incorrect, but many times other letters in the middle of the place name are also incorrect. Some place names may have additional letters at the end which should not be there, other place names may have letters missing that should be there. The researcher who is familiar with German place names may recognize the correct name of a misspelled town or village, but often it is very difficult and sometimes almost impossible to determine the correct spelling of a given place name. The examples below from actual research problems indicate how certain letters may have been used by the scribe and how they appear in modern gazetteers. | ||
'''Letters A and E''' | |||
''' Ai'''chberg, Württemberg found in gazetteer as '''Ei'''chberg | ''' Ai'''chberg, Württemberg found in gazetteer as '''Ei'''chberg | ||
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''' B'''ermesens, Pfalz, Bavaria was the place name given in United States records. It was identified as '''P'''irmasens in German gazetteers. | ''' B'''ermesens, Pfalz, Bavaria was the place name given in United States records. It was identified as '''P'''irmasens in German gazetteers. | ||
'''Letters C and K''' | |||
'''C'''albine, Arswaldy, Brandenburg = '''K'''ölpin, Arnswalde, Brandenburg<br> | '''C'''albine, Arswaldy, Brandenburg = '''K'''ölpin, Arnswalde, Brandenburg<br> | ||
'''Letters C and Z''' | |||
''' C'''yzow | ''' '''Example''': C'''yzow was found in the gazetteer as '''Z'''üssow, Pommern.<br> | ||
'''Letters Ch and G''' | |||
Ber'''ch'''eim = Ber'''g'''en | Ber'''ch'''eim = Ber'''g'''en | ||
'''Letters Ch, Ck & K''' | |||
Na'''ch'''e = Na'''ck''' | Na'''ch'''e = Na'''ck''' | ||
'''Letters Cz and Sch''' | |||
Ca'''''cz'''''lin (parish Zirke) Posen = Kat'''''sch'''''lin | |||
D T | '''Letters D and T''' | ||
| Bree<u>'''d'''</u>sen = Brie<u>'''t'''</u>zen, Schlesien | ||
'''Letters E and A ''' | |||
Gutm'''''e'''''dingen = Gutm'''a'''dingen<br> | |||
'''Letters E and I''' | |||
Borod'''ee'''no, Bessarabia = Borod'''i'''no, Bessarabia<br> | |||
'''Letters Ei and I''' <br> | |||
'''Letters F and V''' | |||
Al'''f'''ertissen = Al'''v'''erdissen | |||
F | '''Letters F and Pf''' | ||
Rhinefalls = Rheinpfalz<br> | |||
'''Letters F and W <br>''' | |||
'''Letters F and Ph <br>''' | |||
'''Letters G and K''' | |||
I'''g'''en = E'''ck'''en, Schleswig-Holstein | |||
I Ei Kris = Kreis [district]<br> | '''The letter H''' (it can be added to a word or omitted). | ||
Hoen-Selchow = Hohenselchow, Pommern<br> | |||
'''Letters I and E''' | |||
Posin = Posen<br> | |||
I Ei | |||
Kris = Kreis [district]<br> | |||
I Y Baiern = Bayern<br> | I Y Baiern = Bayern<br> | ||
I J Gierrup = Gjerrup<br> | I J Gierrup = Gjerrup<br> | ||
J Y <br> | J Y <br> | ||
J I <br> | J I <br> | ||
K C <br> | K C <br> | ||
K Ch Tükskov = Tüchschau, Schleswig-Holstein<br> | K Ch | ||
Tükskov = Tüchschau, Schleswig-Holstein<br> | |||
K G | |||
Aklitten, East Prussia = Auglitten, Ostpreussen<br> | |||
Ks X Rocksheim = Roxheim, Pfalz<br> | Ks X | ||
Rocksheim = Roxheim, Pfalz<br> | |||
L N <br> | L N <br> | ||
M N <br> | M N <br> | ||
N M <br> | N M <br> | ||
O U | O U | ||
Bookheim, Friberg = Buchheim, Freiburg, Baden<br>Ow Au | Bookheim, Friberg = Buchheim, Freiburg, Baden<br> | ||
Ow Au | |||
Schwiesow = Schwiesau<br> | Schwiesow = Schwiesau<br> | ||
P B <br> | P B <br> | ||
Ph F <br> | Ph F <br> | ||
p ss (deciphering ß as p) Prupia [Prußia]= Prussia or Hepe [Heße]= Hessen<br> | p ss (deciphering ß as p) Prupia [Prußia]= Prussia or Hepe [Heße]= Hessen<br> | ||
Qu Kw <br> | Qu Kw <br> | ||
Qu Kv | Qu Kv | ||
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R H <br> | R H <br> | ||
S Z | S Z | ||
Elsens = Elsenz, Pfalz<br> | Elsens = Elsenz, Pfalz<br> | ||
Sch Sz Borschymman, East Prussia = Borszymmen, Ostpreussen<br> | Sch Sz Borschymman, East Prussia = Borszymmen, Ostpreussen<br> | ||
Sch Ch <br> | Sch Ch <br> | ||
Sch S | Sch S | ||
Schwanstrup = Svanstrup<br> | Schwanstrup = Svanstrup<br> | ||
Sch Cz <br> | Sch Cz <br> | ||
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Bamesh Leebow = Böhmisch Liebau<br> | Bamesh Leebow = Böhmisch Liebau<br> | ||
T D | T D | ||
Alfertissen = Alverdissen<br> | Alfertissen = Alverdissen<br> | ||
Ts Z <br> | Ts Z <br> | ||
Tsch & Tzsch Z <br> | Tsch & Tzsch Z <br> | ||
Tz Z <br> | Tz Z <br> | ||
T Th Tedinghaused = Thedinghausen<br> | T Th Tedinghaused = Thedinghausen<br> | ||
U O Stulp = Stolp, Pommern<br> | U O Stulp = Stolp, Pommern<br> | ||
U V <br> | U V <br> | ||
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V U Faverby = Fauerbye, Schleswig-Holstein<br> | V U Faverby = Fauerbye, Schleswig-Holstein<br> | ||
V W Vestermølle = Westermühle, Schleswig-Holstein<br> | V W Vestermølle = Westermühle, Schleswig-Holstein<br> | ||
W V <br> | W V <br> | ||
W M <br> | W M <br> | ||
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X Chs Hexum = Hechtsheim<br> | X Chs Hexum = Hechtsheim<br> | ||
Y J <br> | Y J <br> | ||
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Y I Bylevelt = Bielefeld, Westfalen<br> | Y I Bylevelt = Bielefeld, Westfalen<br> | ||
Z S Zelnowo = Sellnowo<br> | |||
<span id="fck_dom_range_temp_1269036228734_822" />Z C <br> | |||
Z S | |||
Zelnowo = Sellnowo<br> | |||
Note: Vowel sounds can be substituted in a variety of combinations: For example: | Note: Vowel sounds can be substituted in a variety of combinations: For example: | ||