Netherlands Languages

Word Lists
This list summarizes what languages are used in different records. For word lists and help with using Dutch in genealogical records, see Dutch Genealogical Word List

Click on the languages for a Word List:

Dutch: Used in Dutch Reformed Church records and Civil Registration after 1813. Used for any other government records. In most of the country except Frisian it was the commonly spoken  language. Frisian: This was the commonly spoken language in the province of Friesland and some neighbouring areas. Some records in those areas will use Frisian but often Dutch will still be used. Latin: Used in Catholic Church records German: Used in Lutheran Church records French: Used in Wallonia Reformed Church records, and in pre-1813 Civil Registration Portuguese: Used in some Sephardi Jewish records

For word lists and the basic grammar needed for genealogical research using documents of these languages, click on the links for each language, which will bring a page on the wiki devoted to that language.

Dutch

 * [[Media:1-NL_Civil_Registration_Birth_Records-Instruction.pdf|Reading Dutch Birth Records]]
 * [[Media:1-NL_Marriage_Records_in_Paragraph_Format-Instruction.pdf|Reading Dutch Marriage Records]]
 * [[Media:1-NL_Civil_Registration_Death_Records-Instruction.pdf|Reading Dutch Death Records]]
 * [[Media:1-NL_Civil_Registration_Birth_Records-Instruction.pdf|Reading Dutch Birth Records]]
 * [[Media:1-NL_Marriage_Records_in_Paragraph_Format-Instruction.pdf|Reading Dutch Marriage Records]]
 * [[Media:1-NL_Civil_Registration_Death_Records-Instruction.pdf|Reading Dutch Death Records]]

Latin

 * Latin for Genealogists
 * Key Words and Phrases in Latin Records

German
This converter will show you how any phrase or name might look in German script:
 * Old German Script Part 1
 * Old German Script Part 2
 * Old German Script (German Church and Civil Records) Part 3
 * . In this lesson, you will explore several types of German genealogical records, including birth, baptismal, marriage, and death records.
 * German Script Tutorial
 * . In this lesson, you will explore several types of German genealogical records, including birth, baptismal, marriage, and death records.
 * German Script Tutorial
 * Kurrentschrift Converter (enter German genealogical word, click on "convert", view your word in Kurrentschrift (Gothic handwriting)

French

 * Reading French Handwritten Records
 * French Alphabet,
 * Genealogical Glossary
 * French Records Extraction Manual. The full manual or individual lesson chapters are downloadable from this webpage. A number of helpful lessons are available here, but the first five lessons are especially useful.
 * Chapter 1: Old Records
 * Chapter 2: Christening, Marriage, and Other Entries
 * Chapter 3: Marriage
 * Chapter 4: Other Entries
 * Chapter 5: French Handwriting and Spelling