121,887
edits
m
Removed reference to Records Profile
m (→Latin Records) |
m (Removed reference to Records Profile) |
||
| Line 7: | Line 7: | ||
| link5=[[Belgium Languages|Languages]] | | link5=[[Belgium Languages|Languages]] | ||
}} | }} | ||
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. | |||
{| | == Background == | ||
{| style="float:right; margin-right:30px" | |||
|- | |- | ||
| | | style="padding-right:0px" | | ||
||[[File:Belgium Languages.png|300px]] | |||
|[[File:Belgium Languages.png| | |||
|} | |} | ||
Belgium has always been linguistically divided and to this day there is much political division between the different regions of Belgium. | Belgium has always been linguistically divided and to this day there is much political division between the different regions of Belgium. Belgium can be divided into four broad regions: | ||
*In '''Flanders''' (Vlaanderen), the language was and is Flemish, a variant of Dutch | |||
Belgium can be divided into four broad regions: | *In '''Brussels''', the local language was traditionally Flemish, but since 1800 has been progressively displaced by French. Brussels has been designated a bilingual area but in practice only 10% of modern day Brussels speaks Dutch. | ||
*In '''Wallonia''', the local language is French. | |||
In '''Flanders''' (Vlaanderen), the language was and is Flemish, a variant of Dutch | *In parts of '''Liege''' that were annexed from Germany following WW1, German is still used. | ||
In '''Brussels''', the local language was traditionally Flemish, but since 1800 has been progressively displaced by French. Brussels has been designated a bilingual area but in practice only 10% of modern day Brussels speaks Dutch. | |||
In '''Wallonia''', the local language is French. | |||
In parts of '''Liege''' that were annexed from Germany following WW1, German is still used | |||
Any other records are likely to be written in the local language. | What a genealogist needs to know is Catholic [[Belgium Church Records|church records]] always used Latin. Other churches used the local language. [[Belgium Civil Registration|Civil registration]] and government records can be written in either French or Flemish depending on the area and the political situation at the time. Any other records are likely to be written in the local language. | ||
== Dutch == | |||
== Dutch | |||
*[[Dutch Genealogical Word List]] | *[[Dutch Genealogical Word List]] | ||
*[[Media:1-NL_Civil_Registration_Birth_Records-Instruction.pdf|Reading Dutch Birth Records]] (PDF) | *[[Media:1-NL_Civil_Registration_Birth_Records-Instruction.pdf|Reading Dutch Birth Records]] (PDF) | ||
| Line 43: | Line 30: | ||
*[https://www.familysearch.org/help/helpcenter/lessons/names-in-belgium-and-the-netherlands Names in Belgium and the Netherlands] | *[https://www.familysearch.org/help/helpcenter/lessons/names-in-belgium-and-the-netherlands Names in Belgium and the Netherlands] | ||
== German | == German == | ||
You do not have to be fluent 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]] | *[[German Word List|German Genealogical Word List]] | ||
*[[Germany Handwriting]] | *[[Germany Handwriting]] | ||
| Line 57: | Line 44: | ||
The [http://www.kurrentschrift.net/index.php?s=schreiben Deutsche Kurrenschrift] converter will show you how any phrase or name might look in German script. Click on '''Schreibübung''' (Writing exercise), type a word and click on '''umwandeln''' (convert) to view the word in Kurrentschrift. | The [http://www.kurrentschrift.net/index.php?s=schreiben Deutsche Kurrenschrift] converter will show you how any phrase or name might look in German script. Click on '''Schreibübung''' (Writing exercise), type a word and click on '''umwandeln''' (convert) to view the word in Kurrentschrift. | ||
==French | == French == | ||
You do not have to be fluent | You do not have to be fluent 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. These articles will be useful in helping you learn to read French records: [[French Genealogical Word List|French Genealogical Word List]] and [[French Handwriting|French Handwriting]]. For additional help see [[France Church Records]] and [[France Civil Registration]]. | ||
== Latin | == Latin == | ||
Catholic church records will usually be written in Latin. See [[Latin Genealogical Word List]] for an explanation of Latin grammar and glossary of genealogical terms. | Catholic church records will usually be written in Latin. See [[Latin Genealogical Word List]] for an explanation of Latin grammar and glossary of genealogical terms. | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
{{reflist}} | {{reflist}} | ||
[[Category:Belgium]] | [[Category:Belgium]] | ||