Acronyms and Abbreviations: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 18:13, 16 July 2010

There are many acroymns and abbreviated words unique to genealogy and family history research that may not be easily found in any other industry's terminology. Here are some of the more commonly used acronyms and abbreviations:

ACPL: Allen County Public Library; library in Fort Wayne, Indiana with extensive genealogy collections.

AF: Ancestral File; patron-contributed lineage-linked family information submitted to FamilySearch.org prior to 1991.

bap / chr: Baptized / Christened

BMD / BDM: Births, Marriages, and Deaths

c / ca. / circa: approximately (ex. "ca. 1535" means "in about 1535")

CNBL: Cannot Be Located

DAR: Daughters of the American Revolution; Lineage society for female descendants of soldiers who fought in the Revolutionary War. The DAR Library in Washington, D.C. houses significant genealogical collections and is open to the public.

dob: Date of Birth

FHC: Family History Center (to find a Family History Center near you, click here)

FHL: Family History Library, largest genealogical library in the world. Located in Salt Lake City, Utah and sponsored by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

FHLC: Family History Library Catalog; searchable catalog of microfilm, fiche, books and periodicals available through FamilySearch.org.

GEDCOM: GEnealogical Data COMmunications (a file format for transferring family history data)

ill.: Illegitimate (often recorded on birth certificates and other birth records)

IGI: Inernational Genealogical Index

LDS: Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

LOC: Library of Congress; Research arm of the US Congress. Digital collections include historic newspapers, photographs, family genealogies, biographies and other items of interest to family history researchers.

NARA: National Archives Records Administration; repository of official US government records including census, military, immigration, and other documents of interest to family history researchers.

NGS: National Genealogical Society; provides education and training in genealogical research methods and works to promote access to and preservation of genealogical records.

PAF: Personal Ancestral File; freeware genealogy software available at FamilySearch.org.

PRF: Pedigree Resource File (a database within FamilySearch.org)

PRO: Public Records Office; National Archives repository for official public records (birth, marriage, death, census, etc.) for the United Kingdom.

SSDI: Social Security Death Index; master file of US death records reported to the Social Security Administartion available for free on-line through FamilySearch.org, ssdi.rootsweb.ancestry.com, genealogybank.com and other web sites.

External Links[edit | edit source]

Common Genealogical Acronyms -http://austega.com/familyhistory/courses/acronyms.htm
Association of Professional Genealogists: Abbreviations and Acronyms -http://www.apgen.org/resources/aa.html
Genealogical Acronyms and Glossary -http://homepages.nildram.co.uk/~jimella/acronyms.htm
The A to Z of British Genealogical Research (The Emery Paper): Abbreviations - http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/EmeryPaper.html#Abbreviations
International Society of Genetic Genealogy's: DNA - Newbie Glossary -http://www.worldfamilies.net/glossary.html
List of abbreviations for English given names - Wikipedia - http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Appendix:Abbreviations_for_English_given_names

Family History Library Resources[edit | edit source]

There are also books which give the definitions of many abbreviated words. One such book is "Abbreviations & Acronyms: a guide for family historians" compiled by Kip Sperry (FHL book US/Can 929.103Sp37a.)

Use a Title search for "abbreviations" in the Family History Library Catalog found on the www.familysearch.org website for other books which define abbreviations and acronyms such as: Acronyms, Initialisms, and Abbreviations Dictionary: a guide to acronyms, abbreviations, contractions, alphabetic symbols, and similar condensed appellations by Jennifer Mossman (FHL book US/Can 428.1 M855a v.1 pt.1 1995.)

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-{{MormonLDSRemoval}}<br>
+There are many acroymns and [[Abbreviations Found in Genealogy Records|abbreviated words]] unique to genealogy and family history research that may not be easily found in any other industry's terminology. Here are some of the more commonly used acronyms and abbreviations: <br>
-===Acronyms and Abbreviations===
+;ACPL&nbsp;
-There are many acronymns and [[Abbreviations Found in Genealogy Records|abbreviated words]] unique to genealogy and family history research that may not be easily found in any other industry's terminology. Here are some of the more commonly used acronyms and abbreviations: <br>
+:[[Allen County Public Library|Allen County Public Library]];&nbsp; library in Fort Wayne, Indiana with extensive genealogy collections.
-<br>
+;AF&nbsp;
+:[[Ancestral File]]; patron-contributed lineage-linked family information submitted to FamilySearch.org prior to 1991.
-;Abt
+;bap / chr&nbsp;
-:About or Circa; an guessed date, e.g., "Abt 1745"
+:Baptized / Christened
-;ACPL
+;BMD / BDM&nbsp;
-:[[Allen County Public Library|Allen County Public Library]]; library in Fort Wayne, Indiana with extensive genealogy collections. Librarians at the Allen County Public Library maintain PERSI, the [[Periodical Source Index (PERSI)|PERiodical Source Index]], which indexes genealogical and local history sources from periodicals.<br>
+:Births, Marriages, and Deaths
-;AF
+;c / ca. / circa
-:[[Ancestral File]]; Ancestral File is a collection of over 35 million names linked into family groups and pedigrees. The records include information voluntarily contributed to familysearch.org by patrons from 1978-1991.
+:approximately (ex. "ca. 1535" means "in about 1535")
-;Aft
+;CNBL&nbsp;
-:After. The date is known to be later than a specified date, e.g., "Aft 1900".
-;AG
-:Accredited Genealogist. Title given to individuals who pass accreditation exams of the [http://www.icapgen.org/icapgen/ International Commission for the Accreditation of Professional Genealogists].
-;;AGBI
-:[[American Genealogical Biographical Index (AGBI)|American Genealogical Biographical Index]]; A large name index of genealogies published by the [http://www.godfrey.org/ Godfrey Memorial Library]. The data also include unindexed and partially indexed genealogies and several specialized vital record collections and census data from 1790.
-;bap.
-:Baptized
-;Bef
-:Before. The date is known to be before the specified date, e.g. "Bef 1930".
-;BMD
-:Births, Marriages, and Deaths; sometimes written BDM.
-;Cal
-:Calculated. The date was calculated from a source. If you can only calculate, for example, a birth/marriage date based upon a census or the birth date based upon the death date, e.g. "Cal 1854".
-;CFI
-:Computer File Index, later known as the [https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/list International Genealogical Index ](IGI).
-;CG
-:Certified Genealogist. Title given to individuals who pass the certification exam of the Board for Certification of Genealogists.
-;chr
-:Christened
-;c / ca
-:Circa. Approximately (ex. "ca 1535" means "in about 1535")
-;CNBL
 :Cannot Be Located
-;DAR
+;DAR&nbsp;
 :[http://www.dar.org/ Daughters of the American Revolution]; Lineage society for female descendants of soldiers who fought in the Revolutionary War. The [[Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Library|DAR Library]] in Washington, D.C. houses significant genealogical collections and is open to the public.
-;DOB / DOD
+;dob&nbsp;
-:Date of Birth / Date of Death
+:Date of Birth
-;DUP
-:[http://www.dupinternational.org/ International Society Daughters of the Utah Pioneers]; Lineage society for female descendants of early Utah settlers. Sponsors Pioneer Memorial Museum, and Pioneer Histories Digitization Project.
-;EKA
-:Earliest known ancestor.
-;Est
-:Estimated. The date was estimated based upon family stories / traditions / standard genealogical estimations, e.g. "Est 1848". Standard genealogical standards include: man marrying at 25, woman marrying at 21, first child one year after marriage, and subsequent children every two years. For example, marriage in 1825, would give the husband's birth "Est 1800", wife's birth "Est 1804", first child's birth "Est 1826", second child's birth "Est 1828", etc.
-;FASG
-:Fellow of the American Society of Genealogists.
-;FGS
-:Federation of Genealogical Societies
-;FGRA
+;FHC&nbsp;
-:[[Family Group Records Collection|Family Group Records Archive]]. This file was maintained by the [[Genealogical Society of Utah|Genealogical Society of Utah]], a forerunner of the current FamilySearch Library and FamilySearch. The archive consists of Family Group sheets in two parts: a MAIN section containing patron submissions from 1942-1969; and a PATRON section containing patron submissions from 1962-1979.
+:[[Introduction to LDS Family History Centers|Family History Center]] (to find a Family History Center near you, '''[http://www.familysearch.org/Eng/Library/FHC/frameset_fhc.asp click here]''')<br>
-:Submissions to the MAIN section were verified for accuracy and received additional processing when they were submitted. Both sections were microfilmed and made available to FamilySearch Centers.
+;FHL&nbsp;
+:[[Family History Library|Family History Library]], largest genealogical library in the world.&nbsp; Located in Salt Lake City, Utah and sponsored by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.<br>
-;FHC
+;FHLC&nbsp;
-:[https://www.familysearch.org/en/centers/about FamilySearch center] (to find a FamilySearch center near you, '''[https://www.familysearch.org/centers/locations/ click here]''')<br>
+:[http://www.familysearch.org/Eng/Library/FHLC/frameset_fhlc.asp '''Family History Library Catalog''']; searchable catalog of microfilm, fiche, books and periodicals available through [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/default.asp FamilySearch.org].<br>
-;FHL
+;GEDCOM&nbsp;
-:[https://www.familysearch.org/en/library/ FamilySearch Library], largest genealogical library in the world. Located in Salt Lake City, Utah and sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.<br>
+:GEnealogical Data COMmunications (a file format for transferring family history data)
-;FamilySearch Catalog
+;ill.&nbsp;
-:[[Introduction to the FamilySearch Catalog|FamilySearch Catalog]]; searchable catalog of microfilm, fiche, books and periodicals available through [https://www.familysearch.org/ FamilySearch.org].<br>
-;FSG
-:Fellow of the Society of Genealogists (London).
-;GEDCOM
-:[[Gedcom|GEnealogical Data COMmunications]] (industry standard file format used by genealogy software programs to transfer data)
-;IAJGS
-:[http://www.iajgs.org International Association of Jewish Genealogical Societies]
-;ill.
 :Illegitimate (often recorded on birth certificates and other birth records)
-;inst.
+;IGI&nbsp;
-:Instant. Present or current month; e.g., "He departed this life on the 25th inst., after a long illness..."
+:[[International Genealogical Index|Inernational Genealogical Index]]
-;IGI
-:[https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/list International Genealogical Index]
-;JGS
-:Jewish Genealogical Society (see IAJSG)
-;LDS
-:[https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]
-;LOC
-:[https://www.loc.gov/ Library of Congress]; Research arm of the United States Congress. Digital collections include historic newspapers, photographs, family genealogies, biographies and other items of interest to family history researchers.
-;NARA
-:[http://www.archives.gov/ National Archives Records Administration]; repository of official US government records including census, military, immigration, and other documents of interest to family history researchers.
-;NEHGS
-:[[New England Historic Genealogical Society|New England Historic Genealogical Society]]
-;NGS
+;LDS&nbsp;
-:[https://www.ngsgenealogy.org/ National Genealogical Society]; provides education and training in genealogical research methods and works to promote access to and preservation of genealogical records.
+:'''[http://www.lds.org Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]'''
-;PERSI
+;LOC&nbsp;
-:The PERiodical Source Index maintained by the [[Allen County Public Library|Allen County Public Library]] of genealogical and local history periodicals, listed by source. PERSI's objective is to, over time, compile a complete subject index of all such periodicals--past and present.
+:[http://www.loc.gov/index.html Library of Congress]; Research arm of the US&nbsp;Congress. Digital collections include historic newspapers, photographs, family genealogies, biographies and other items of interest to family history researchers.
-;PAF
+;NARA&nbsp;
-:Personal Ancestral File; freeware genealogy software previously provided by [[FamilySearch]]; discontinued July 15, 2013.
+:[http://www.archives.gov/ National Archives Records Administration]; repository of official US&nbsp;government records including census, military, immigration, and other documents of interest to family history researchers.
-;PRF
+;NGS&nbsp;
-:[[Pedigree Resource File|Pedigree Resource File]]; lineage-linked family information submitted by patrons to [[FamilySearch]].
+:[http://www.ngsgenealogy.org/cs/home National Genealogical Society]; provides education and training in genealogical research methods and works to promote access to and preservation of genealogical records.
-;PRO
+;PAF&nbsp;
-:Public Records Office; [https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/default.htm National Archives] repository for official public records (birth, marriage, death, census, etc.) for the United Kingdom.<br>
+:'''[http://www.familysearch.org Personal Ancestral File]'''; freeware genealogy software available at [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/default.asp FamilySearch.org].
-;SSDI
+;PRF&nbsp;
-:[[Social Security Death Index (SSDI)|Social Security Death Index]]; master file of US death records reported to the [https://www.ssa.gov/ Social Security Administration] available for free on-line through {{RecordSearch|1202535|Social Security Death Index}}, [https://www.ancestry.com/c/family-history-learning-hub/ssdi Ancestry], [https://www.genealogybank.com/explore/ssdi/all GenealogyBank] and other websites.
+:'''[http://www.familysearch.org/Eng/Search/frameset_search.asp?PAGE=prf/search_PRF.asp&clear_form=true Pedigree Resource File]''' (a database within FamilySearch.org)<br>
-;TIB
+;PRO&nbsp;
-:Temple Records Index Bureau, a card-file index system maintained from 1927-1970 containing references to births, christenings and marriages for deceased (dating from 1500) and living persons (to 1970). The TIB was replaced by the CFI (later the [[International Genealogical Index (IGI)|IGI]]).
+:Public Records Office; [http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/default.htm National Archives] repository for official public records (birth, marriage, death, census, etc.) for the United Kingdom.<br>
-=== Additional Resources  ===
+;SSDI&nbsp;
+:[[Social Security Death Index (SSDI)|Social Security Death Index]]; master file of US&nbsp;death records reported to the [http://www.ssa.gov/ Social Security Administartion] available for free on-line through [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/search/frameset_search.asp?PAGE=ssdi/search_ssdi.asp&clear_form=true FamilySearch.org], [http://ssdi.rootsweb.ancestry.com/ ssdi.rootsweb.ancestry.com], [http://www.genealogybank.com/gbnk/ssdi/ genealogybank.com] and other web sites.
-==== Websites  ====
+=== External Links  ===
-*[https://homepages.rootsweb.com/~sam/abbr.html Abreviations found in Genealogy] at Rootsweb.
+*Common Genealogical Acronyms -'''http://austega.com/familyhistory/courses/acronyms.htm'''
-*[https://support.ancestry.com/s/article/Glossary-of-genealogical-terms Glossary of Genealogical Terms] at Ancestry.
+*Association of Professional Genealogists: Abbreviations and Acronyms -'''http://www.apgen.org/resources/aa.html'''
-*[http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/EmeryPaper.html#Abbreviations The A to Z of British Genealogical Research (The Emery Paper): Abbreviations] at GENUKI.
+*Genealogical Acronyms and Glossary -'''http://homepages.nildram.co.uk/~jimella/acronyms.htm'''
-*[https://www.geni.com/projects/Abbreviations-Acronyms-for-Genealogy-The-Accepted/3096 Abbreviations & Acronyms for Genealogy - The Accepted] at GENi.
+*The A to Z of British Genealogical Research (The Emery Paper): Abbreviations - '''http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/EmeryPaper.html#Abbreviations'''
-*[http://www.genealogyintime.com/dictionaries/list-of-occupation-abbreviations-page-a.html List of occupation abbreviations] at GenealogyInTime.
+*International Society of Genetic Genealogy's: DNA - Newbie Glossary -'''http://www.worldfamilies.net/glossary.html'''
-*[https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Appendix:Abbreviations_for_English_given_names Abbreviations for English given names] at Wiktionary.
+*List of abbreviations for English given names - Wikipedia - '''http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Appendix:Abbreviations_for_English_given_names'''
-==== FamilySearch Library Resources  ====
+=== Family History Library Resources  ===
-*There are also books which give the definitions of many abbreviated words. One such book is "'''{{FSC|1123166|title-id|disp=''Abbreviations &amp; Acronyms: a guide for family historians''}}'''" compiled by Kip Sperry (FS Library book US/Can 929.103Sp37a.)
+*There are also books which give the definitions of many abbreviated words. One such book is "'''[http://www.familysearch.org/Eng/Library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&titleno=1123166&disp=Abbreviations+&+acronyms&columns=*,0,0 ''Abbreviations &amp; Acronyms: a guide for family historians'']'''" compiled by Kip Sperry (FHL book US/Can 929.103Sp37a.)
-*Use a [https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog Title search] for "abbreviations" in the [https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog FamilySearch Catalog] found on the '''www.familysearch.org''' website for other books which define abbreviations and acronyms such as: '''{{FSC|981218|title-id|disp=''Acronyms, Initialisms, and Abbreviations Dictionary: a guide to acronyms, abbreviations, contractions, alphabetic symbols, and similar condensed appellations''}}''' by Jennifer Mossman (FS Library book US/Can 428.1 M855a v.1 pt.1 1995.)
+*Use a Title search for "abbreviations" in the Family History Library Catalog found on the '''www.familysearch.org''' website for other books which define abbreviations and acronyms such as: '''[http://www.familysearch.org/Eng/Library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&titleno=981218&disp=Acronyms,+initialisms,+and+abbreviat&columns=*,0,0 ''Acronyms, Initialisms, and Abbreviations Dictionary: a guide to acronyms, abbreviations, contractions, alphabetic symbols, and similar condensed appellations'']''' by Jennifer Mossman (FHL book US/Can 428.1 M855a v.1 pt.1 1995.)
-[[Category:Abbreviations]]
+[[Category:FamilySearch]]