Netherlands Languages

Netherlands Topics
Beginning Research
Guided Research Research Strategies Record Finder Finding Town of Origin Online Learning
Record Types
Cemeteries Census Church Records Civil Registration Court Records Directories Emigration & Immigration Compiled Genealogies Guardianship Heraldry Jewish Records Land & Property Military Records Naturalization & Citizenship Newspapers	Nobility Notarial Records Occupations Online Genealogy Records Periodicals Poor Law Population Registers Probate Records Religious Records Taxation Vital Records Websites
The Netherlands Background
Biography Church History Cultural Groups Dutch Word List Former Dutch Colonies Gazetteers Handwriting Historical Geography History	History, Military Languages Maps Names, Geographical Naming Customs Place Names Social Life & Customs For Further Reading
Local Research Resources
Archives & Libraries Societies FamilySearch Centers
Moderator
The FamilySearch moderator for The Netherlands is Daniel Jones.

Netherlands

Languages

Netherlands Languages

Word Lists

This list summarizes what languages are used in different records. For word lists and help with using Dutch in genealogical records, see Dutch Genealogical Word List

Click on the languages for a Word List:

Dutch: Used in Dutch Reformed Church records and Civil Registration after 1813. Used for any other government records. In most of the country except Frisian it was the commonly spoken language.
Frisian: This was the commonly spoken language in the province of Friesland and some neighbouring areas. Some records in those areas will use Frisian but often Dutch will still be used.
Latin: Used in Catholic Church records
German: Used in Lutheran Church records
French: Used in Wallonia Reformed Church records, and in pre-1813 Civil Registration
Portuguese: Used in some Sephardi Jewish records

For word lists and the basic grammar needed for genealogical research using documents of these languages, click on the links for each language, which will bring a page on the wiki devoted to that language.

Classes and Handouts

Dutch

• Reading Dutch Handwritten Records Lesson 1: The Dutch Alphabet.
• Reading Dutch Handwritten Records Lesson 2: Dutch Words and Dates.
• Reading Dutch Handwritten Records Lesson 3: Reading Dutch Records.
• Reading Dutch Birth Records
• Reading Dutch Marriage Records
• Reading Dutch Death Records

Latin

• Latin for Genealogists
• Key Words and Phrases in Latin Records

German

• Old German Script Part 1
• Old German Script Part 2
• Old German Script (German Church and Civil Records) Part 3
• Reading German Handwritten Records Lesson 1: Kurrent Letters
• Reading German Handwritten Records Lesson 2: Making Words in Kurrent
• Reading German Handwritten Records Lesson 3: Reading Kurrent Documents. In this lesson, you will explore several types of German genealogical records, including birth, baptismal, marriage, and death records.
• German Script Tutorial

This converter will show you how any phrase or name might look in German script:

• Kurrentschrift Converter (enter German genealogical word, click on "convert", view your word in Kurrentschrift (Gothic handwriting)

French

• Reading French Handwritten Records
  • 1: The French Alphabet,
  • 2: Key Words and Phrases
  • 3: Reading French Records
• French Records Extraction Manual, Full Manual
  • 1: OLD FRENCH RECORDS
    
  • 2: PARISH CHRISTENING AND CIVIL BIRTH ENTRIES
    
  • 3: MARRIAGE ENTRIES
    
  • 4: OTHER ENTRIES
    
  • 5: FRENCH HANDWRITING AND SPELLING
    

Portuguese

• Reading Portuguese Handwritten Records Lesson 1: Portuguese Letters
• Reading Portuguese Handwritten Records Lesson 2: Dates, Words, and Names
• Reading Portuguese Handwritten Records Lesson 3: Reading Portuguese Records. In this lesson, you will explore several types of Portuguese genealogical records, including birth, baptismal, marriage, and death records.