Enrollment options
Optional Print Course Material: Eastern European: Languages and Alphabets
*Course material will only be sent to students who are registered in the course.
One of the biggest challenges for North American genealogists who finally cross the ocean in their research is discovering that many of the records they locate in Europe are written in languages other than English. Unfamiliar handwriting, confusing formats and cryptic looking alphabets provide unique obstacles. However, the language does not have to be a barrier. One does not need to become fluent in the Polish, Czech, Hungarian, Russian, or other languages to be a good genealogist in Eastern European records. This course introduces the key information needed about the various languages so researchers can be successful in reading and interpreting documents and records, and in communicating with relatives and archivists in Europe.
The focus of this course will be on understanding Eastern European languages and alphabets commonly found in records. Tools for assisting with translation and transcription will also be discussed and sample documents will be provided for “hands-on” practice. Individual elective courses in the specific countries will provide more in-depth information about record-keeping practices in various areas of Eastern Europe.
Course Length: 9 weeksMODULE 1
LOST IN TRANSLATION: WHAT LANGUAGES WILL I FIND IN THE RECORDS?
Overview of Most Common Languages & Alphabets
Reading & Interpreting Records
Linguistic Orientation
Handwriting Terms & Definitions
Transcription, Translation, Transliteration: What’s the Difference?
Abstract, Extract or Description
Transcription Rules & Symbols
Document Reading Tips
Dealing with Foreign Letters
MODULE 2
WORKING WITH LATIN RECORDS
Latin for Genealogists: The Basics
Latin (Roman) Alphabet
Latin Noun Declension
Names
Latin-English Names
Gender
Latin Numerals
Latin Time
Latin & Eastern European Records
Key Information
Abbreviations
Latin Genealogical Word List
MODULE 3
WORKING WITH CZECH & GERMAN RECORDS
Czech Language Basics
Key Czech Terms
Czech Genealogical Word List
German Language Basics
Language Characteristics
Key German Terms
German Genealogical Word List
MODULE 4
WORKING WITH HUNGARIAN & SLOVAK RECORDS
Hungarian Language Basics
Key Hungarian Terms
Hungarian Genealogical Word List
Slovak Language Basics
Key Slovak Terms
Slovak Genealogical Word List
MODULE 5
WORKING WITH POLISH, RUSSIAN & JEWISH RECORDS
Polish Language Basics
Key Polish Terms
Polish Genealogical Word List
Key Word Guides
Cyrillic Alphabet
Russian Language Basics
Russian Genealogical Word List
Ukrainian Language Basics
Ukrainian Genealogical Word List
Working with Jewish Records
Hebrew Alphabet
MODULE 6
OTHER LANGUAGES & ALPHABETS
Bulgarian Language Basics
Bulgarian Genealogical Words
Carpatho-Rusyn Language Basics
Church Slavic Language Basics
Lithuanian Language Basics
Romanian Language Basics
Romanian Genealogical Words
Serbo-Croatian Language Basics
Key Words
Other Languages
Summary
MODULE 7
ONLINE TRANSLATION TOOLS & OTHER OPTIONS
Key Tools & Resources
One-Step Webpages by Stephen P. Morse
About Automated Translation
Other Translation Options
Transcription & Translation Services
MODULE 8
NOW IT IS YOUR TURN!
Church Registers
Gazetteer
Websites
Slovakia Census
Military Information
Cemetery Headstone
Emigration Document
APPENDIX
Recommended Reading & Resources