German church records can be a genealogist’s dream. Filled with names, dates, places of residence and more, these entries can be the key to breaking down the brick walls in our genealogy research. If you don’t speak German, however, these records may seem a bit overwhelming. But never fear! Below, I’ve compiled the most important vocabulary words you’ll need to know when analyzing German church records – keep this list on hand, and you’ll be well on your way to filling in your family tree.
Important Church Record Vocabulary
| Name | Name, Namen, Nahme, Nahmen |
| Parish | Pfarre, Gemeinde |
| local | hiesig |
| Baptism | Taufe |
| Birth | Geburt |
| Child | Kind |
| Son | Sohn |
| Daughter | Tochter |
| Mother | Mutter |
| Father | Vater |
| Parents | Eltern, Aeltern |
| Boy | Knabe, Junge |
| Girl | Mädchen |
| Stillborn | totgeboren, todtgeboren |
| Year, Month and Day | Jahr, Monat und Tag |
| (In the) Morning; Afternoon; Evening | früh; nachmittags; abends |
| Legitimate; Illegitimate | ehelich; unehelich |
| Profession/Occupation | Stand, Beruf, Gewerbe |
| Godparents/Sponsors | Paten, Pathen, Taufpaten, Taufpathen, Gevatter |
| Witnesses | Zeugen, Beistand, Beystand, Beistände |
| Pastor/Priest; Assistant Pastor | Pfarrer, Priester; Koop., Coop. |
| Marriage | Trauung, Ehe |
| Groom | Bräutigam |
| Bride | Braut |
| Married | verheiratet, verehelicht |
| Wife | Frau, Ehefrau, Gattin, Weib, Eheweib |
| Husband | Mann, Ehemann, Gatte |
| Location/Place of Residence | Ort, Wohnort |
| Divorced | geschieden |
| Widower/Widow | Wittwer, Witwer; Wittwe, Witwe |
| Death | Tod |
| Die; Died | sterben; gestorben, starb |
| Burial/Funeral | Begräbnis, Beerdigung |
Author’s Note: For more church record vocabulary and tips on deciphering your church records, check out my newest book The Magic of German Church Records: Finding the Key to Your Ancestor’s Past.
One Response
This is great info, definitely will be a big asset when reading those Church Records, thank-you!