| Courses |
| Eastern European: Languages & Alphabets | ||||||||||||||||||
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| 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 Content Module 1 Lost in Translation: What Languages Will I Find in the Records? Overview of Most Common Languages & Alphabets Reading & Interpreting Records Abstract, Extract or Description Transcription Rules & Symbols Sample Records Summary Module 2 Working With Latin Records Latin for Genealogists: The Basics Names Latin & Eastern European Records Sample Registers Summary Module 3 Working With Czech & German Records Czech Language Basics Sample Records German Language Basics Summary Module 4 Working With Hungarian & Slovak Records Hungarian Language Basics Sample Records Slovak Language Basics Sample Records Summary Module 5 Working With Polish, Russian & Jewish Records Polish Language Basics Polish Genealogical Word List Russian Language Basics Ukrainian Language Basics Working with Jewish Records Sample Records Summary Module 6 Other Languages & Alphabets Bulgarian Language Basics Carpatho-Rusyn Language Basics Church Slavic Language Basics Lithuanian Language Basics Romanian Language Basics Serbo-Croatian Language Basics Sample Records Other Languages Summary Module 7 Online Translation Tools & Other Options Overview Key Tools & Resources About Automated Translation Other Translation Options Additional Resource Summary 140 Module 8 Now It Is Your Turn! Church Registers Gazetteer Websites Slovakia Census Military Information Cemetery Headstone Emigration Document Summary Appendix Recommended Reading & Resources Reading: Additional Articles | ||||||||||||||||||
