Hesse versus Hessen
I am finding records that list both Hesse and Hessen for family members. Is this the same area? Which spelling should I use? Thank you.
Best Answer
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Hi, @Cindy Hall_10 ,
Thank you for your question.
You will likely find your answer in the German Genealogy group here: https://community.familysearch.org/en/group/88-germany-genealogy-research. (You can copy and paste your question in the group.) The group has almost 2,000 people—many with research experience that can answer your question. Plus, there are great resources in the group for finding records, genealogy tips, people that can translate documents because they read and speak German, and more.
Best wishes discovering more about your family!
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Answers
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If you are referring to searches for instances of these names within FamilySearch's indexed records (at https://www.familysearch.org/search/) the best way of finding the two variants is by adding a wildcard to "Hesse". In the Last Names box on the Search page type HESSE* to get results for both HESSE and HESSEN in one search. Other websites (e.g. Ancestry and Find My Past") should allow for similar methods of searching.
One branch of my family are regularly recorded with their surname spelling as both LATHAN and LATHAM, so I always enter LATHA* in the Last Name field. If you do this, it is best to check (tick) the little box alongside the last name, which should then will only give you results for these names, plus any other name beginning HESSE...
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I"m asking about a place not a person's name.
I am finding records that list both Hesse and Hessen for family members. Is this the same area? Which spelling should I use? Thank you.
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Wikipedia has them the same place https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hesse
The general use in English appears to be Hesse, unless you use the wording State of Hessen
FamilySearch Wiki gives Hesse (Hessen), so perhaps that is what you should use. https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/Hesse_(Hessen),_German_Empire_Genealogy
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Thank you MaureenE123.
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@Cindy Hall_10 upon further review I see that this post is not in the German Community. Go to groups, find Germany and join that group. Then you can "Ask a Question" Most of the time, it is best to "ask a question" - do this by selecting the arrow to the right of "new discussion". Asking a question allows you to accept the answer or let us know you would like more help.
To see your discussions and comments click on your name at the top of this reply and it will take you to your screen where you can click on discussions or comments and scroll down to see your posts.
I hope this helps - if not, keep asking questions and we will get it all figured out together.
Enjoy today! Cindy
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Thank you.
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