German-English Genealogical Dictionary » (Reprint)

This book is designed for the family researcher who has little or no knowledge of German but who nevertheless needs to make a translation of German-language documents. The dictionary covers thousands of German terms and defines them in single words or brief phrases. All words, symbols, and abbreviations in the dictionary were chosen on the basis of their association with genealogy, having been noted in church records, civil registration records, family correspondence, genealogical journals, ships' passenger lists, and emigration records. Among the many categories of entries included in the dictionary are family relationships, days of the week, map terms, legal terms, cardinal and ordinary numbers, roman numerals, signs of the zodiac, coins, liquid and dry measures, measures of length, place names, historical territories, geographical terms, occupations, titles, military ranks, types of taxes, illnesses, calendar days, male and female given names, heraldry, abbreviations, books of the Bible, and common genealogical words from Danish, Dutch, French, Latin, and Polish. In conjunction with a standard German-English dictionary, the user of this work should be able to make a word-by-word translation of any German document and understand it.

Library Journal

Compiled for the family researcher who needs to translate German-language documents, this specialized dictionary provides thousands of German terms associated with genealogy and defines them simply. In conjunction with a standard German-English dictionary, this work should enable the user to translate German documents. Entries cover family relationships, days of the week, numbers, map and legal terms, place names, historical territories, geographical terms, occupations, titles, names, heraldry, abbreviations, and many other topics. Common genealogical words from Danish, Dutch, French, Latin, and Polish are given as well. Also included are the German alphabet, with script variations, suffix lists, old historical German words and variants, and genealogical symbols used in Germany. A later edition might be enhanced by listing sources and genders of terms and adding woodcuts or other illustrations. But this first edition is a delightful book that provides virtually a short course in German genealogy and fills a major void in the field. Along with Thode's Address Book for Germanic Genealogy (Genealogical Pub., 1991), this is essential for German genealogical researchers. Because millions of Americans trace their ancestry to German immigrants, both books are strongly recommended.-- Judith P. Reid, Library of Congress