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There are many abbreviated words related to genealogy and family history research. Some are not easily found in many glossaries that are available. Here is a list of a few of these:
{{MormonLDSRemoval}}<br>


*
===Acronyms and Abbreviations===
** AF = [http://www.familysearch.org/Eng/Search/frameset_search.asp?PAGE=af/search_AF.asp&clear_form=true '''Ancestral File'''] (a database within FamilySearch.org)<br>
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>  
** bap / chr = Baptized / Christened
** BMD / BDM = Births, Marriages, and Deaths <br>
** c / ca. / circa = approximately (ex. "ca. 1535" means in about 1535)


*
<br>  
** CNBL = Cannot Be Located
** dob = Date of Birth
** FHC = [[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>
** FHL = Family History Library (for more information about the Family History Library, '''[http://www.familysearch.org/Eng/Library/FHL/frameset_library.asp click here]''')<br>
** FHLC = [http://www.familysearch.org/Eng/Library/FHLC/frameset_fhlc.asp '''Family History Library Catalog'''] (searchable on FamilySearch.org)<br>
** GEDCOM = GEnealogical Data COMmunications (a file format for transferring family history data)
** ill. = Illegitimate (often recorded on birth certificates and other birth records)
** IGI = [http://www.familysearch.org/Eng/Search/frameset_search.asp?PAGE=igi/search_IGI.asp&clear_form=true '''International Genealogical Index''']<br>
** LDS = '''[http://www.lds.org Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints]'''
** PAF = '''[http://www.familysearch.org Personal Ancestral File]''' (a free genealogy and family history program by the LDS Church)<br>
** PRF = '''[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>
** PRO = Public Records Office<br>
** SSDI ='''[http://www.familysearch.org/Eng/Search/frameset_search.asp?PAGE=ssdi/search_ssdi.asp&clear_form=true Social Security Death Index]''' (a database within FamilySearch.org)<br>


=== '''Online Resources''' ===
;Abt
{{Block indent|About or Circa; an guessed date, e.g., "Abt 1745"}}


Common Genealogical Acronyms -<br>'''http://austega.com/familyhistory/courses/acronyms.htm'''
;ACPL
{{Block indent|[[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>}}


Association of Professional Genealogists: Abbreviations and Acronyms -<br>'''http://www.apgen.org/resources/aa.html'''
;AF
{{Block indent|[[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.}}


Genealogical Acronyms and Glossary -<br>'''http://homepages.nildram.co.uk/~jimella/acronyms.htm'''
;Aft
{{Block indent|After. The date is known to be later than a specified date, e.g., "Aft 1900".}}


The A to Z of British Genealogical Research (The Emery Paper): Abbreviations - '''http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/EmeryPaper.html#Abbreviations'''
;AG
{{Block indent|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].}}


International Society of Genetic Genealogy's: DNA - Newbie Glossary -<br>'''[http://www.worldfamilies.net/glossary.html http://www.worldfamilies.net/glossary.html <br>]'''
;;AGBI
{{Block indent|[[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.}}


List of abbreviations for English given names - Wikipedia - '''http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Appendix:Abbreviations_for_English_given_names'''<br>''''''
;bap.  
{{Block indent|Baptized}}


=== '''Family History Library Resources<br>''' ===
;Bef
{{Block indent|Before. The date is known to be before the specified date, e.g. "Bef 1930".}}


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.)
;BMD
{{Block indent|Births, Marriages, and Deaths; sometimes written BDM.}}


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.)
;Cal
{{Block indent|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".}}


[[Category:FamilySearch]]
;CFI
{{Block indent|Computer File Index, later known as the [https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/list International Genealogical Index ](IGI).}}
 
;CG
{{Block indent|Certified Genealogist. Title given to individuals who pass the certification exam of the Board for Certification of Genealogists.}}
 
;chr
{{Block indent|Christened}}
 
;c / ca
{{Block indent|Circa. Approximately (ex. "ca 1535" means "in about 1535")}}
 
;CNBL
{{Block indent|Cannot Be Located}}
 
;DAR
{{Block indent|[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
{{Block indent|Date of Birth / Date of Death}}
 
;DUP
{{Block indent|[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
{{Block indent|Earliest known ancestor.}}
 
;Est
{{Block indent|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
{{Block indent|Fellow of the American Society of Genealogists.}}
 
;FGS
{{Block indent|Federation of Genealogical Societies}}
 
;FGRA
{{Block indent|[[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.}}
 
{{Block indent|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.}}
 
;FHC
{{Block indent|[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>}}
 
;FHL
{{Block indent|[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>}}
 
;FamilySearch Catalog
{{Block indent|[[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
{{Block indent|Fellow of the Society of Genealogists (London).}}
 
;GEDCOM
{{Block indent|[[Gedcom|GEnealogical Data COMmunications]] (industry standard file format used by genealogy software programs to transfer data)}}
 
;IAJGS
{{Block indent|[http://www.iajgs.org International Association of Jewish Genealogical Societies]}}
 
;ill.
{{Block indent|Illegitimate (often recorded on birth certificates and other birth records)}}
 
;inst.
{{Block indent|Instant. Present or current month; e.g., "He departed this life on the 25th inst., after a long illness..."}}
 
;IGI
{{Block indent|[https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/list International Genealogical Index]}}
 
;JGS
{{Block indent|Jewish Genealogical Society (see IAJSG)}}
 
;LDS
{{Block indent|[https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]}}
 
;LOC
{{Block indent|[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
{{Block indent|[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
{{Block indent|[[New England Historic Genealogical Society|New England Historic Genealogical Society]]}}
 
;NGS
{{Block indent|[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.}}
 
;PERSI
{{Block indent|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.}}
 
;PAF
{{Block indent|Personal Ancestral File; freeware genealogy software previously provided by [[FamilySearch]]; discontinued July 15, 2013. }}
 
;PRF
{{Block indent|[[Pedigree Resource File|Pedigree Resource File]]; lineage-linked family information submitted by patrons to [[FamilySearch]].}}
 
;PRO
{{Block indent|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>}}
 
;SSDI
{{Block indent|[[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.}}
 
;TIB
{{Block indent|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]]).}}
 
=== Additional Resources  ===
 
==== Websites  ====
 
*[https://homepages.rootsweb.com/~sam/abbr.html Abreviations found in Genealogy] at Rootsweb.
*[https://support.ancestry.com/s/article/Glossary-of-genealogical-terms Glossary of Genealogical Terms] at Ancestry.
*[http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/EmeryPaper.html#Abbreviations The A to Z of British Genealogical Research (The Emery Paper): Abbreviations] at GENUKI.
*[https://www.geni.com/projects/Abbreviations-Acronyms-for-Genealogy-The-Accepted/3096 Abbreviations & Acronyms for Genealogy - The Accepted] at GENi.
*[http://www.genealogyintime.com/dictionaries/list-of-occupation-abbreviations-page-a.html List of occupation abbreviations] at GenealogyInTime.
*[https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Appendix:Abbreviations_for_English_given_names Abbreviations for English given names] at Wiktionary.
 
==== FamilySearch 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.)
 
*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.)
 
[[Category:Abbreviations]]

Latest revision as of 02:26, 19 August 2025

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The usage of "Mormon" and "LDS" on this page is approved according to current policy.




Acronyms and Abbreviations

There are many acronymns 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:


Abt
About or Circa; an guessed date, e.g., "Abt 1745"
ACPL
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, which indexes genealogical and local history sources from periodicals.
AF
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.
Aft
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 International Commission for the Accreditation of Professional Genealogists.
AGBI
American Genealogical Biographical Index; A large name index of genealogies published by the 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 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
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 / DOD
Date of Birth / Date of Death
DUP
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
Family Group Records Archive. This file was maintained by the 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.
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.
FHC
FamilySearch center (to find a FamilySearch center near you, click here)
FHL
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.
FamilySearch Catalog
FamilySearch Catalog; searchable catalog of microfilm, fiche, books and periodicals available through FamilySearch.org.
FSG
Fellow of the Society of Genealogists (London).
GEDCOM
GEnealogical Data COMmunications (industry standard file format used by genealogy software programs to transfer data)
IAJGS
ill.
Illegitimate (often recorded on birth certificates and other birth records)
inst.
Instant. Present or current month; e.g., "He departed this life on the 25th inst., after a long illness..."
IGI
JGS
Jewish Genealogical Society (see IAJSG)
LDS
LOC
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
National Archives Records Administration; repository of official US government records including census, military, immigration, and other documents of interest to family history researchers.
NEHGS
NGS
National Genealogical Society; provides education and training in genealogical research methods and works to promote access to and preservation of genealogical records.
PERSI
The PERiodical Source Index maintained by the 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.
PAF
Personal Ancestral File; freeware genealogy software previously provided by FamilySearch; discontinued July 15, 2013.
PRF
Pedigree Resource File; lineage-linked family information submitted by patrons to FamilySearch.
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 Administration available for free on-line through Social Security Death Index, Ancestry, GenealogyBank and other websites.
TIB
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 IGI).

Additional Resources

Websites

FamilySearch Library Resources

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