This website has been converted from Google Classic sites, so some links may not work (yet).
Are you trying to read German genealogical sources? Even if you can't read German fluently, it is still possible to get a lot out of German genealogical records by learning a few basic terms.
The lists below categorize some of the more common terms you will encounter. If you are having problems reading the letters in the text see my German scripts page for help.
Records • Family Terms • Family Events • General Genealogical Terms • Occupations • Days of the Week • Months of the Year • Other Time Words
Records
Abschrift
copy, extract
Abstammungsurkunde
birth certificate
angezeigt durch
registered by
Archiv
archive
Auszug
extract
Bescheinigung
certificate
eidesstattliche Erklärung
affidavit
Eintrag, Eintragung
entry
Familienbuch
entries for a family in the Standesamt register
Geburtsschein
birth certificate
Geburtsurkunde
birth certificate
Heiratsurkunde
marriage certificate
Heiratsbuch
marriage register
Kirchenbuch, Kirchenreister, Kirchenrodel
church register
Pfarrbuch
parish register
Schein
certificate
Stammbuch
book to keep marriage, birth, and death certificates of family
Standesamt
registrar's office
Standesamtregister
register of births, deaths and marriages
Standesbeamte(r)
registrar
Sterbeurkunde
death certificate
Totenschein
death certificate
Trauregister
wedding register
Urkunde
document
Volkszählung, Volkszählungsliste
census
Family Terms
Abkömmling
descendant
Ahnen
ancester
Base
cousin (female)
Bruder
brother
Ehefrau
wife
Ehegatte
spouse, husband
Ehegattin
spouse, wife
Eheman
husband
Eltern
parents
Enkel
grandson
Enkelin
granddaughter
Familie
family
Fräulein
miss, young lady
Frau
madame, wife, woman
Gatte
husband
Gattin, Gatten
wife
Großmutter
grandmother
Großvater
grandfather
Junge
boy
Kind
child
Kinder
children
Kleinkind
infant
Knabe
boy
Mädchen
girl, maiden
Mann
husband
Mutter
mother
Nachkomme
descendent
Oheim
uncle
Onkel
uncle
Schwager
brother-in-law
Schwiegertochter
daughter-in-law
Schwester
sister
Söhne
sons
Sohn
son
Tante
aunt
Taufpaten
Godparent
Tochter
daughter
Töchter
daughters
Urgroßmutter
great-grandmother
Urgroßvater
great-grandfather
Vater
father
Vetter
cousin (male)
Vorfahre, Vorfahrin
ancester
Waise
orphan
Weib
wife
Family Events
Aufgebote
marriage banns
Beerdigung
burial
Bestattung
funeral
Ehe
marriage
Ehescheidung
divorce
Eheschließung
marriage ceremony, wedding
Flitterwochen
honeymoon
Geburt
birth
Heirat
marriage
Hochzeit
marriage ceremony
Konfirmation
confirmation
Kopulation
marriage
Proklamationen
marriage banns
Scheidung
divorce
Taufe
christening, baptism
Tod
death
Trau
marriage
Trauung
wedding, marriage ceremony
Verlobung
engagement
Verkündigungen
marriage banns
General Genealogical Terms
Advokat
see Rechtsanwalt
Ahnentafel
pedigree
Ahnenforschung
genealogy
alphabetisch
alphabetical
alt
old
Alter
age
altest
eldest
am
on the
Aufgebot
proclamation
Auswanderer
emigrant
Auswanderung
emigration
Bauer
farmer
Bekenntnis
religion
Bemerkungen
remarks
Beruf
occupation
Bräutigam
bridegroom
Braut
bride
Bürger
citizen
Bürgereid
citizen's oath
Dom
cathedral
Dorf
village
ehelich
legitimate
ehelich geboren am
born in lawful wedlock on
Eid
oath
Einwanderer
immigrant
Einwanderung
immigration
Einwohner
resident
evangelisch
Protestant
Familienname
last name, surname
Familienstand
marital status
Friedhof
cemetery
geboren
born
geboren am
born on
geborene, geb.
nee, maiden name
geborenen
formerly (maiden name)
Geburtsdatum
birth date
Geburtshelfer
medical attendant at birth
Geburtsname
birth name
Geburtsort
place of birth
Gemeindeverwaltung
municipal administration
Genealogie
genealogy
geschieden
divorced
Geschlechtsname
surname
gestorben
died
getauft
baptized, christened
Gewerbe
trade, occupation
Hebamme
midwife
Heiratsdatum
date of marriage
Heiratsliste
list of marriages
im
in the
im alter von
aged
katholisch
Catholic
Kirche
church
Kirchengemeinde
church parish, congregation
kirchlich getraut
married in church
Kirchspiel
parish
Kirchsprengel
parish, diocese
Konfession
religion
Kreis
county, district
Land
state
ledig
single
Laufende Nummer (Lfd.-Nr.)
consecutive number
Mädchenname
maiden name
Nachname
surname
Name
name
Nationalität
nationality
Ordnungs-Nr.
see Lfd.-Nr.
Ort
town, place
Ort der Geburt
place of birth
Pfarramt
parish, parish office
Pfarrbezirk
parish
Pfarrer
pastor
Polterabend
eve-of-the wedding party
protestantisch
Protestant
Rathaus
town hall
Rechtsanwalt
lawyer
Scheidung
divorce
Sohn von
son of
Staat
state
Staatsangehörigkeit
citizenship, nationality
Stadt
town, city
Stammbaum
family tree, pedigree
Stand
condition, occupation, marital status
standesamtlich getraut
married in a civil ceremony
starb
died
starb Kinderlos
died without issue
sterben
die
Taufdatum
christening date
taufen
christen
Taufname
birth name
Tochter von
daughter of
trauen
marry
unehelich
illegimate, out of wedlock
Urkundsbeamte(r)
see Standesbeamte(r)
veheiratet
married
vergraben
bury
verheiratet
married
verlobt
engaged
verstorben am
died on
Verstorbene(r)
the deceased
verstorbenen
deceased
verwitwet
widowed
Verzeichnis
index
Viertel
town quarter
Vorname
first name, Christian name
Witwe
widow
Witwer
widower
wohnen
live, reside
Wohnhaft
resident
wohnhaft in
residing at
Wohnort
dwelling place, residence
Zeuge
witness
Zeugen
witnesses
Zuname
surname
Occupations
Ackermann
husbandman, small farmer
Adeliger Edelmann
nobleman
Aderlasser
barber, surgeon
Akadem. Grad
academic graduate
Altbürgermeister
former mayor
Amtmann
magistrate, provost, warden
Amtsknecht
messenger, servant
Amtsverwalter
administrator
Anstreicher
painter
Anwalt
lawyer, guardian
Apotheker
pharmacist
Arbeiter
worker, laborer
Archivar
archivist
Armer
poor, beggar
Arzt
physician
Aufseher
supervisor
Ausländer
foreigner
Auswanderer
emigrant
Bader
barber, surgeon
Bäcker
baker
Bäckergeselle
Baker, journeyman
Bankier, Wechsler
banker, money changer
Barbier
barber
Bartschere
barber
Bauer
farmer
Baumeister
master builder, construction supervisor, architect
Baumgärtner
gardener, orchard caretaker
Beamter
official
Beisitzender
lay assessor
Berater
adviser or counselor
Bergmann
miner
Besenbinder
broom maker
Betriebsleiter
manager, superintendent of merchant business
Bettler
beggar
Beysaß
rental inhabitant without citizenship
Bierbrauer
beer brewer
Biersieder
beer distiller
Bildhauer
sculptor
Bildschnitzer
wood carver
Binder
binder
Bleicher
bleacher
Bleigiesser
lead smelter
Böttcher
cooper
Bote
messenger
Briefbote
mailman
Briefträger
mail carrier
Brückenzöllner
bridge toll collector
Brunnenmeister
supervisor of well construction
Buchbinder
book binder
Buchdrucker
printer
Büchhändler
book dealer
Buchhalter
bookkeeper
Buchmaler
book illustrator
Büchsenmacher
rifle maker, gunsmith
Büchsenschmied
gunsmith
Bürge
sponsor
Bürger
citizen
Bürgermeister
mayor
Büttel
court official
Büttner
cooper
Burgmann
castle steward
Chirurg
surgeon
Corporal
corporal
Dachdecker
roof tiler, thatcher
Dechant, Dekan
dean (church or university)
Deserteur
deserter
Diener
servant
Dienerin
maid servant
Dragoner
dragoon
Drechsler
turner, thresher
Durchreisender
stranger, transient
Einnehmer
collector
Einwohner
inhabitant
Eisengiesser
iron founder
Eisenhändler
iron monger
Eisenschmied
black smith
Erzgraber
ore miner
Erzieher
educator
Fahnrich
flag bearer (military)
Fahrman
ferryman
Färber
dyer
Fahnenträger
flag bearer
Faktor
manager, superintendent (merchant)
Feilenhauer
file maker
Feldhüter
field watchman, field warden
Feldmesser
surveyor
Feldwebel
sergeant
Feuerwerker
explosives expert, maker of fireworks
Fischer
fisherman
Flaschenmacher
bottle maker
Fleischbeschauer
meat inspector
Fleischer
butcher
Flickschneider
mending tailor
Flösser
raftsman
Förster
forest ranger
Folterknecht
executioner, torturer
Fourier
quartermaster (for supply)
Fräulein
miss, young lady
Freibauer
free farmer
Fremder
stranger
Friseur
barber
Fürst
prince
Fuhrmann
coachman, wagoner
Gärtner
gardener
Gardist
guardsman
Gastwirt
innkeeper
Gaukler
vagabond, minstrel, magician
Geistlicher
clergyman
Geldeinnehmer
money collector
Gemeindediener
beadle, community messenger (servant of the mayor)
Gemüsegärtner
market, vegetable gardener
Gemüsehändler
green grocer, grocer
Gerber
tanner
Gerichtsbeisitzer
associate judge
Gerichtsdiener
servant in the court (under bailiff)
Gerichtsschöffe
juror, assessor
Gerichtsverwandter
court official
Gewürzkrämer
grocer, dealer in spices
Giesser
founder, caster, molder
Gläser
glazier
Glasmaler
glass painter
Glöckengiesser
bell founder
Glockner
sexton, bell ringer
Goldschmied
goldsmith
Graf
Count, earl
Greis
old man
Grenadier
grenadier, infantryman
Grobschmied
blacksmith
Gross-Herzog
grand duke
Gürtler
brass founder, brass worker
Gurspachter
lessee of estate
Händler
dealer, trader, merchant
Halbbauer
half-farmer, semi-farmer
Hammerschmied
blacksmith
Handschuhmacher
glove maker
Handwerker
craftsman
Harfner
musician, harpist
Hauer
miner
Hauptmann
captain
Hausdiener
servant
Hausgenosse
house mate
Hausierer
peddler
Häusler
cottager, landless laborer
Hausmeister
caretaker
Hebamme
midwife
Heger
game warden
Heizer
stoker, fireman
Hemdenmacher
shirt maker
Henker
executioner, torturer
Herr
master, mister
Herzog
duke
Heuerling
hireling (day laborer)
Hilfsgeistlicher
assistant clergyman
Hirt(e)
herdsman, shepherd (also pastor)
Hirtin
herder, (female)
Holzhändler
lumber merchant
Holzhauer
wood cutter
Hopfenbauer
hop grower
Hornist
bugler, horn player
Hutmacher
hat maker
Imker
beekeeper
Inwohner
inhabitant
Jäger
hunter
Jagdgenosse
hunter's assistant
Kärcher
coachman
Kärrner, Karrer
coachman
Kämmerer
chamberlain
Kammerdiener
butler
Kalkbrenner
lime burner
Kannengiesser
pewterer
Kantor
singer
Kanzleibeamter
chancery clerk
Kaplan
chaplain
Kaufmann
merchant
Kellereiverwalter
keeper of wine cellar
Kellermeister
keeper of wine cellar
Kerkermeister
jailer, gaoler
Kerzenzieher
candlemaker
Kessler
boilermaker, tinker
Kettenschmied
chainsmith
Kirchenschöffe
church assessor
Kistenmacher
crate maker
Kisten-Truhenmacher
cabinetmaker
Klempner tinsmith
Knappe
squire
Knecht
servant
Knopfmacher
button maker
Koch
cook
Köhler
charcoal burner
Korbmacher
basket maker
Korbflechter
basket weaver
Kornhausverwalter
granary administrator
Kornmesser
grain measurer
Krämer
peddler, shopkeeper
Krankenwärter
male nurse
Kuchenbäcker
confectioner
Küfer
cooper, cellarman
Kürschner
furrier
Küster
church caretaker or custodian
Kuhhirt
cowherd
Kuhhirtin
cowherd (female)
Kupferdrucker
copperplate printer
Kupferschmied
coppersmith
Kupferstecher
copperplate engraver, etcher
Kutscher
coachman
Laufer
messenger
Laie
layman
Landmann
farmer
Landstreicher
tramp
Lastträger
porter
Lehnsmann
vassal
Lehrer
teacher, educator
Lehrmeister
master of trade
Leibeigner
serf, bondsman
Leiermann
organ-grinder
Leinenweber
linen weaver
Leutnant
lieutenant
Leutpriester
lay priest
Lodenmacher
maker of coarse woolen cloth
Magd
maidservant
Magister
schoolmaster
Maier
dairy farm overseer
Maler
painter
Mälzer
beer distiller
Malzmüller
malt miller
Marketender
canteen proprietor
Maurer
mason
Messerschmied
cutler
Metzger
butcher
Milchhändler
milkman
Müller
miller
Mündel
orphan, ward
Mundschenk
butler, cupbearer
Musiker
musician
Musketier
musketeer, infantry soldier
Nachtwächter
night watchman
Nagelschmied
nail smith
Notar
notary, civil lawyer, official scribe
Oberkoch
master chef
Oberpfarrer
head minister
Obstverkäufer
fruit salesman
Ochsenknecht
cowherder
Orgelbauer
organ builder
Ortsfremder
stranger
Pächter
lessee, tenant
Papierhändler
paper trader
Papiermacher
paper maker
Pauker
drummer
Pedell
servant
Perrückenmacher
wigmaker
Pfandnehmer
pawnbroker
Pfarrer
minister, pastor
Pfaffkind
minister's child
Pfefferhändler
pepper trader
Pfeifenmacher
pipe maker
Pfeifer
piper
Pferdeknecht
ostler, stableman, groom
Pflasterer
paver
Pflugschmied
plowsmith
Pförtner
porter
Posthalter
keeper of post station
Postreiter
courier
Pottaschbrenner
potash burner
Prediger
preacher
Priester
priest
Puppenmacher
dollmaker
Quartiermeister
quartermaster
Rat
council
Ratsherr
councilman
Ratsmitglied
member of the council
Ratsverwandter
town council assistant
Rechtsanwalt
attorney
Reiter
rider
Rekrut
recruit
Richter
judge
Riemschneider
harness maker, leatherworker
Ritter
knight
Rittmeister
captain (of calvary)
Rotgerber
tanner
Sackmacher
sack maker
Säger
sawyer
Sänger
singer
Salpetersieder
Saltpeter boiler
Salzhändler
salt trader
Salzsteuereinnehmer
salt tax collector
Sattler
saddlemaker
Schäfer
sheepherder
Schaffer
tub maker, vat maker
Schafhirt
sheepherder
Scharfrichter
executioner
Schatzmeister
treasurer
Schiffbauer
shipbuilder
Schiffer
sailor (inland waters)
Schindelmacher
shingle maker
Schirmmacher
umbrella maker
Schleifer
grinder
Schlosser
locksmith
Schmelzer
founder, caster, molder
Schmied
blacksmith
Schneider
tailor
Schöffe
lay assessor
Schreiber
clerk, scribe, writer
Schreiner
carpenter, cabinet maker
Schriftsetzer
typesetter
Schüler
student
Schuhmacher
shoemaker
Schulmeister
schoolmaster
Schultheiß
village mayor
Schuster
shoemaker
Schutzverwandter
stranger, enjoying citizen rights
Schweinehirt
swineherd
Seidensticker
silk embroiderer
Seifensieder
soap boiler
Seiler
rope maker
Sichelschmied
sickelsmith
Siebmacher
sieve maker
Siedler
settler
Silberschmied
silversmith
Söldner
mercenary
Soldat
soldier
Spangenmacher
brass worker
Spiegelmacher
mirror maker
Spielmann
minstrel
Spitalpfleger
male nurse
Sporenschmied
spursmith
Stadtbote
beadle (minor city official)
Stutthaller
governor
Stadtschreiber
city clerk
Stallknecht
stable servant
Steinbrecher
stone crusher
Steinmetz
stonemason
Steuereinnehmer
tax collector
Strumpfweber
stocking weaver
Tabaksteuereinnehmer
tobacco tax collector
Taglohner
day laborer (hireling)
Tierarzt
veterinarian
Tischler
cabinet maker
Töpfer
potter
Totengräber
gravedigger
Treideler
one who tows ships in canal or river
Trommler
drummer
Trompeter
trumpeter
Trossknecht
camp follower
Truchseß
lord high steward
Tuchhandler
textile trader, draper
Tuchmacher
cloth maker
Tuchscherer
clothcutter
Türhüter
usher, doorman
Uhrmacher
watchmaker
Untertan
subject
Verkaufer
salesman
Verwalter
administrator
Verweser
administrator, regent
Veteran
veteran
Viehhändler
cattle trader
Viehhirte
cattle herder
Vizebürgermeister
vice-mayor
Vikar
vicar
Vogt
warden, governor, steward
Vormund
guardian
Vorsteher
foreman
Wachtmeister
sergeant major
Wachter
watchman
Waffenschmied
gunsmith
Wagner
wagon builder, wagon maker
Waise
orphan
Waisenpfleger
orphan nurse
Waldhüter
forest ranger
Weber
weaver
Wechsler
changer
Wegmacher
path maker, paver
Weinbauer
wine farmer
Weinhändler
wine trader, vintner
Weissgerber
tanner
Wirt
innkeeper
Wollenweber
wool weaver
Wundarzt
surgeon
Wurstmacher
sausage maker
Zeidler, Imker, Bienenzüchter
beekeeper
Zentgraf, Hauptmann
captain
Zeuge
witness
Ziegelbrenner
brick/tile burner
Ziegeldecker
brick tiler, slater
Ziegler
brickmaker
Zigeuner
gypsy
Zimmermann
carpenter
Zinkenist
bugler
Zinngiesser
tinfounder, pewterer
Zirkleschmied
compass smith
Zöllner
toll collector
Zuckerbäcker
confectioner
Zunftmeister
master of a guild
Days of the Week
Sonntag
Sunday
Montag
Monday
Dienstag
Tuesday
Mittwoch
Wednesday
Donnerstag
Thursday
Freitag
Friday
Samstag, Sonnabend, Satertag
Saturday
Months of the Year
Januar, Jänner, Hartung, Eismonat
January
Februar, Feber, Harnung, Regenmonat
February
März, Lenzing, Lenzmond, Windmonat
March
April, Ostermonat, Ostermond, Wandelmonat
April
Mai, Weidemonat, Wonnemond, Blutenmonat
May
Juni, Brachet, Brachmonat, Wiesenmonat
June
Juli, Heuert, Heumonat
July
August, Ernting, Erntemonat, Hitzmonat
August
September, Fruchtmonat, Scheiding, 7ber, 7bris
September
Oktober, Weinmonat, Gilbhard, 8ber, 8bris
October
November, Reifmonat, Nebelmonat, 9ber, 9bris
November
Dezember, Julmonat, Christmonat, 10ber, 10bris, Xber, Xbris
December
Centuries
fünfzehnhundert, eintausendfünfhundert
1500
sechszehnhundert, eintausendsechshundert
1600
siebzehnhundert, eintausendsiebenhundert
1700
achtzehnhundert, eintausendachthundert
1800
neunzehnhundert, eintausendneunhundert
1900
zwanzighundert, zweitausend
2000
Other Time Words
Datum
date
Tag
day
Woche
week
Monat
month
Jahr
year
Nacht
night
vormittags
in the forenoon
abends
in the evening
morgens
in the morning
nachmittags
in the afternoon
mittags
at noon
mitternacht
midnight