Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania Language and Handwriting: Difference between revisions

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Back to [[Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Germany Genealogy|Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania Page]]►
[[Category:Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Germany]]
[[Category:Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Germany]]
[[Category:Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Germany]]
==Reading the Records==
==Reading the Records==


*It's easier than you think! You do not have to be fluent in French and German to use these records, as there is only a limited vocabulary used in them.  By learning a few key phrases, you will be able to read them adequately.  Here are some resources for learning to read German records.
*It's easier than you think! You do not have to be fluent in French and German to use these records, as there is only a limited vocabulary used in them.  By learning a few key phrases, you will be able to read them adequately.  Here are some resources for learning to read German records.
:::[[German Word List|German Genealogical Word List]]  
{{Block indent|[[German Word List|German Genealogical Word List]] |3}}
:::[[Germany Handwriting|German Handwriting]]
{{Block indent|[[Germany Handwriting|German Handwriting]]|3}}
*These video webinars will teach you to read German handwriting:
*These video webinars will teach you to read German handwriting:
:*[https://familysearch.org/ask/learningViewer/375 Old German Script Part 1]
{{Block indent|*[https://www.familysearch.org/help/helpcenter/lessons/old-german-script-part-1 Old German Script Part 1]}}
:*[https://familysearch.org/ask/learningViewer/377 Old German Script Part 2]   
{{Block indent|*[https://www.familysearch.org/help/helpcenter/lessons/old-german-script-part-2 Old German Script Part 2]  }}
:*[https://familysearch.org/ask/learningViewer/426 Old German Script (German Church and Civil Records) Part 3]
{{Block indent|*[https://www.familysearch.org/help/helpcenter/lessons/old-german-script-german-church-and-civil-records-part-3 Old German Script (German Church and Civil Records) Part 3]}}
*Also online interactive slideshow lessons are available to help you learn to read these records:  
*Also online interactive slideshow lessons are available to help you learn to read these records:  
:*[https://familysearch.org/learningcenter/lesson/reading-german-handwritten-records-lesson-1-kurrent-letters/69 '''Reading German Handwritten Records Lesson 1: Kurrent Letters''']
{{Block indent|*[https://www.familysearch.org/help/helpcenter/lessons/german-paleography-seminar-the-alphabet '''Reading German Handwritten Records Lesson 1: Kurrent Letters''']}}
:*[https://familysearch.org/learningcenter/lesson/reading-german-handwritten-records-lesson-2-making-words-in-kurrent/70 '''Reading German Handwritten Records Lesson 2: Making Words in Kurrent''']
{{Block indent|*[https://www.familysearch.org/help/helpcenter/lessons/german-paleography-seminar-key-words '''Reading German Handwritten Records Lesson 2: Making Words in Kurrent''']}}
:*[https://familysearch.org/learningcenter/lesson/reading-german-handwritten-records-lesson-3-reading-kurrent-documents/71 '''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.
{{Block indent|*[https://www.familysearch.org/help/helpcenter/lessons/german-paleography-seminar-process-of-deciphering-records '''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.}}
:*[https://familysearch.org/learningcenter/lesson/german-script-tutorial/91 '''German Script Tutorial''']
{{Block indent|*[https://script.byu.edu/german-handwriting/introduction '''German Script Tutorial''']}}
This converter will show you how any phrase or name might look in German script:
This converter will show you how any phrase or name might look in German script:
*[http://www.kurrentschrift.net/index.php?s=schreiben: Kurrentschrift Converter] (enter German genealogical word, click on "convert", view your word in Kurrentschrift (Gothic handwriting)
*[http://www.kurrentschrift.net/index.php?s=schreiben: Kurrentschrift Converter] (enter German genealogical word, click on "convert", view your word in Kurrentschrift (Gothic handwriting)
===Latin Records===
Records of the Catholic church will usually be written in Latin:
*[[Latin Genealogical Word List|'''Latin Genealogical Word List''']]
==Research Strategies==
==Research Strategies==
Effective use of church records includes the following strategies:  
Effective use of church records includes the following strategies:  

Latest revision as of 20:36, 19 August 2025

Back to Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania Page

Reading the Records[edit | edit source]

  • It's easier than you think! You do not have to be fluent in French and German to use these records, as there is only a limited vocabulary used in them. By learning a few key phrases, you will be able to read them adequately. Here are some resources for learning to read German records.
  • These video webinars will teach you to read German handwriting:
  • Also online interactive slideshow lessons are available to help you learn to read these records:
*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.

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)

Latin Records[edit | edit source]

Records of the Catholic church will usually be written in Latin:

Research Strategies[edit | edit source]

Effective use of church records includes the following strategies:

  • Search for the relative or ancestor. When you find his or her birth record, search for the births of brothers and sisters.
  • Next search for the parents' marriage date and place. The marriage record will often lead to the parents' birth records.
  • You can estimate the ages of the parents and determine a birth year to search for their birth records. If more than one possible candidate is found, search confirmation, marriage, and burial records to determine the correct individual. If available, census-type records or family books can be used as well.
  • Try to find the parents death/burial entries, since these records may give their age at death.
  • Use the above strategies for both the father and the mother.
  • If earlier generations are not in the record you are using, search neighboring parishes and other denominations.
  • Search the burial registers for all family members.