How To Search Family History in Other Languages

Genealogy Research and the Language Barrier

Feb 13, 2009

Most people will find their family genealogy includes more than just English speakers. Here are tips on how to perform genealogical research in other languages.

In general, there are three options for genealogists and family researchers who encounter a language barrier – find a translator, learn genealogical terms for the language or learn the entire language. Which method is most efficient depends on the amount of research, type of research, and the difficulty of learning the language.

Language Translation and Translators for Genealogy Research

A family researcher may want to consider a translator if the time or effort of learning a different language will take too up too much time. While Romantic languages such as French or Spanish can be picked up relatively easily, others, such as Mandarin or German, require more effort and time than a genealogist may be able to afford.

If the genealogical research involves interviews in another language, a fluent translator is the better choice over a family researcher who is just learning the language. “Make sure to introduce your interpreter at the start of the interview,” advises YukonGenealogy.com.

A human translator fluent in the other language is more accurate than an online translation program and doesn’t need to be a professional. Relatives who can speak the other language can be a good resource. Genealogists seeking professional translators can look in the local yellow pages or online. TRADUguide.com is an online directory of translators who can help with ancestry searches.

Family Genealogy and Different Languages: Online Translation

If only basic genealogical documents are involved, a family researcher may opt to just learn genealogical terms in that language. The Church of Latter Day Saints offers a glossary of genealogical terms in many European languages, as well as Afrikaans. Awesome Genealogy also offers word lists as well as research form letters in several European languages, including Irish.

Language Courses: Berlitz, Rosetta Stone and More

The benefits of learning another language for family genealogy research go beyond reading documents and being able to interview sources. A family researcher fluent in an ancestral language may feel more connected to the culture of his or her ancestors, as well as being able to maintain closer ties to living family who also speak the language.

There are several options for learning languages. Local classes or tutors are available in some areas. Other people prefer to learn on their own with at-home language courses. Some popular language courses include:

Language Barriers for Specific Languages and Ancestry

French or Spanish speaking ancestors are relatively easy for North American genealogists, who likely have at least a cursory knowledge of either language. Languages such as Dutch or German are more difficult, but genealogy word lists may make research in such languages easier, depending on the type of documents found. For languages with very little relation to English, such as Mandarin, Japanese or Russian, a family genealogy search will require more preparation or the use of a translator.

The copyright of the article How To Search Family History in Other Languages in Genealogical Research Methods is owned by Rita Marshall. Permission to republish How To Search Family History in Other Languages in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.