Deciphering handwriting in German documents: Analyzing German, Latin, and French in vital records written in Germany

by Roger P. Minert

English, German, French, Latin

Genres: History, Language, German Literature

182 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2001

Reviews

[Denise Kettering · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a helpful tool for people who are engaged in German research. Although the book is geared towards those who are doing family history research and looks particularly at birth, death, and marriage records, many of the principles for reading different scripts can be carried over into other forms of research. The book consists largely of examples of the different types of records and what to look for in dealing with each. As there are not a great many guides in English to working with German script, this is a helpful book to keep by one's side as a reference tool. Ultimately, reading this kind of script only comes with experience and learning the particular hand of the scribe, but Minert's book can prove a helpful guide.

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great tutorial on reading old German handwriting. A must for those researching German ancestry. This book is geared more toward the seasoned researcher than a beginner.

[Henry Sturcke · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very useful for deciphering old church records.

[Sound586 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was mentioned frequently in a seminar about learning to research German Ancestors. It appears to be quite useful in demonstrating old German styles of lettering and also the word list of common words you'll find in documents that are not only in our current English fonts but also shown in older German styles of lettering with the English Translation. I find it interesting that this book was translated into German to teach German citizens how to research their own older records. Much of the older styles of lettering were eliminated around the time of World war 2 and so current German citizens also have the same challenges I have trying to find my ancestors.

[Richard · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book of a German paleography class at Brigham Young University. Family History-Genealogy Majors are required to take one paleography course, and I chose German. The author of this book, Roger P. Minert is a professor at said university.

This is a great tool for learning German paleography. The book covers the Gothic and Fraktur alphabets. Writing in the Gothic alphabet is a learning curve, but it's very fun. Learning how to write in German cursive helped me understand how to read German documents.

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a great resource for reading German genealogical records. Learned to read old German at a conference and was surprised to find after buying this book that I had retained a lot from the conference. It goes into depth and has helpful sample pages. Aside from its usefulness as a research tool, my mission trainer helped do some of the research for the book (the author is her father); it was exciting to see her name in the credits.