Belgium Languages: Difference between revisions

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**[https://familysearch.org/wiki/en/Chapter_3:_MARRIAGE_ENTRIES Chapter 3:MARRIAGE ENTRIES].
**[https://familysearch.org/wiki/en/Chapter_3:_MARRIAGE_ENTRIES Chapter 3:MARRIAGE ENTRIES].


===Learning to Read Enough French to Do Genealogy===
*It's easier than you think! You do not have to be fluent in French 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 French records.
:::[[French Genealogical Word List|French Genealogical Word List]]
:::[[French Handwriting|French Handwriting]].
*There is a three-lesson course in reading French Records:
::::{{LearningCenter2|83|Reading French Handwritten Records Lesson 1: The French Alphabet}},
::::{{LearningCenter2|84|Reading French Handwritten Records Lesson 2: Key Words and Phrases}}
::::{{LearningCenter2|86|Reading French Handwritten Records Lesson 3: Reading French Records}}
== References  ==
== References  ==



Revision as of 12:48, 26 December 2018

Belgium Wiki Topics
Flag of Belgium.jpg
Beginning Research
Record Types
Belgium Background
Local Research Resources
Moderator

The FamilySearch moderator for Belgium is Daniel Jones.

The major languages of records in Belgium are Flemish (Dutch) in the North, and Walloon (French) in the South, and German in the East. Latin was used extensively, particularly in Catholic records.[1]

For word lists and help researching in Belgian records, see:

Reading the German 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.
German Genealogical Word List
German Handwriting
  • 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:

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:

How to Read the French Records[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. The Family History Department of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, “Family History Record Profile: Belgium,” Word document, private files of the FamilySearch Content Strategy Team, 1987-1999.