German-English Genealogical Dictionary
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 CongressCopyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.