German church records

L Sumner

How reliable are translation and indexing of German church records? Because many of us are limited by an inability to read either German or the old handwriting it seems an impossible task to verify the accuracy. When possible, I like to verify records by cross checking with other known information but that is impossible if I can't even read the handwriting. Some assurance that the folks doing the translations have some level of expertise would be comforting! Also what is the best way to learn to read them (called Kurrentschrift, I think)? Thank you!

A van Helsdingen

While Kurrent script looks daunting to the beginner, it can be learned. Translations of German church records done by someone knowledgeable taking their time should be near-perfect. The indexing of records may be less than perfect if the indexers are not experts or do it hurriedly.

If you want to start learning Kurrent, this page on the FamilySearch Wiki is a good place to start: https://www.familysearch.org/en/wiki/Germany_Handwriting You can also find plenty of examples of texts and A-Z charts of the letters by searching Google images.

MaureenE123

The FIBIS Fibiwiki page German contains some relevant links https://wiki.fibis.org/w/German#External_links

There may be some overlap with the FamilySearch Wiki

Includes

Old German Script 3 Parts. FamilySearch Help Center/Lessons

German Paleography Seminar series with links to 10 Lessons. FamilySearch Help Center/Lessons

 Handwriting Guide: German Gothic, feefhs.org archived, originally from FamilySearch (1999)

FamilySearch Indexing Help then select "Language Resources and Handwriting Helps"/German.

Script Tutorial: German Documents Brigham Young University

Converting between old Germanic Print and Cursive in One Step stevemorse.org

Learn Suetterlin - the "German handwriting" taught from 1915 to 1941 in German schools. suetterlinschrift.de  Learning to read Sütterlin Great War Forum Blog 24 August 2021.

Kurrentschrift.net German language website. Contaims examples of handwritten and printed letters of the alphabet. How to Cope With That Old German Script by Sabine Schleichert c 2005. Includes examples of various types of scripts and genealogical symbols used. ggrs.com, archived.

The Bohemian Genealogist includes word lists, including abbreviations for Latin and German words, occupations etc with many handwriting examples.

L Sumner

Excellent information. "Danke" to both of you. I will certainly check out all the links. Regarding the reliability issue, I guess it depends, like most things. One would hope that beginners in the language/handwriting would not be representing their work as fact, especially when it concerns other people's families. But I guess there are no guarantees. Now where is my 50-year-old German textbook? Thanks again.