Identifying Place Names in German documents: Difference between revisions

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; What do these names have in common: ''Geminipontis''? ''Duobus Pontibus''? ''Biponte''? ''Deuxponts''? ''2brücken''? ''Czweynbrucken''? ''Tzweinbrucken''? Each place refers to the locality name ''Zweibrücken ''as found in original German documents.&nbsp; Interpreting place names can be a challenge for all researchers. It becomes the "highest priority" to determine the correct spelling of a place name. Indeed, without such knowledge, it is virtually impossible to proceed.<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; When you find two or three German family researchers huddled in a library around one microfilm reader in animated conversation and with puzzled looks on their faces, it is quite likely they are trying to determine the correct spelling of a place name [or surname]. Place names as they occur in German documents are not really misspelled. They reflect the language, dialect, the education, and sometimes even the frugality of the scribe. The location (place) where the document was written must also be taken into consideration. Researchers should ask these questions? In what language was the place name written? Has the name been Latinized? Was the document written near the boundaries of another language area, for example: France&nbsp;? Denmark, or Poland? Was the document recorded in a German colony in Russia, or Hungary? When was the document written? Is the handwriting difficult to decipher? Has the name been abbreviated? The answers to these and numerous other questions will help you determine the spelling of a given name so you can locate the place name on modern maps and in modern gazetteers. <br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; German research is first of all "locality" research, then surname research. To begin genealogical research in Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and other German-speaking areas in Europe it is necessary to know the exact place of origin. In many areas of Germany "even the slightest error in the locality searched could easily produce a pedigree of incorrect lineage." &nbsp;A surname can be very common in any given area. Search for complete family units, specific time periods, verify the location, and search all available records to build a correct pedigree.