Translations
One of the most common requests we receive is help with translations. Here are some tips and tricks to help you with the daunting task of reading the important genealogical records you’ve found during your search.
Languages galore.
You’ll notice that the records you come across in southwestern Lithuania can be in a number of different languages. Usually, these include Polish, Russian, German, and Lithuanian–and even more frustrating, some documents contain a mix of several. This is the result of changing governments and regulations.
Before 1868, you’ll find that all official civil records (in the case of Lithuania, these include church records) are usually in Polish, and come in a variety of formats, most commonly the Napoleonic format–more on that in a bit.
From April 1868 until the start of WWI, you’ll find that almost all records (with the exception of non-civil records such as confirmations and marriage Banns) are written in Russian as a result of Russification efforts by the Russian Empire.
During German occupation of Lithuania during the first WWI, you may see a variety of languages, usually either German, Russian, or Polish.
During the time of Lithuanian independence from 1918 until 1940, official records are usually kept in Lithuanian.
A baptismal record from the Kalwaria Evangelical Lutheran church in the Napoleonic format, written in Russian Cyrillic. VIA GADD.HOME.NET.PL
The Napoleonic format.
You’ll notice that most records before 1918 in Lithuania (with the exception of some duplicate records, confirmations, etc.,) are written in long paragraph form–this is called the Napoleonic format, and you’ll see most birth, marriage, and death records in this style in Polish (before 1868) and Russian (1868 ~ 1915.) The records written in Russian are especially daunting to those researchers who aren’t fluent in that language.
One of this format’s advantages, is that the information is almost always presented in an identical order, using words and phrases that you will find in most of these records again and again, which identify which information is being presented.
Generally, the order follows a pattern like this:
It happened in (location record is being written)
On the date/date (when the record was written; the date is usually written as a fraction the first date is the Julian date / the second is the Gregorian date)
The names, ages, occupations, and residences of the witnesses to the act
The name, age, occupation, and residence of the individual’s involved
In the case of baptismal records, the names of the sponsors (godparents) are also listed.
The signature of any of the above mentioned as well as the signature of the Pastor. Often, the individuals were illiterate and could not write, in which case you will only find the signature of the Pastor.
The words in-between this information are generally the same and as you get used to the language and reading the handwriting, you’ll be able to extract the most important information within the records, without translating the entire entry word-for-word.
1931 Death records from the Wischtiten Evangelical Lutheran Church, written in Lithuanian in the column format, via the Lithuanian Central State Archive
Column format.
Records created after 1918 as well as confirmation records (which were not considered civil records), are generally in the column format. These tend to be easier to translate, because the column headings make it much easier to understand the information presented.
Sütterlin and Kurrentschrift.
Since Lithuania was ruled under the Russian Empire (until WWI), nearly all official civil records (in this case church baptisms, marriages, and deaths) are written either in Polish, Russian, or Lithuanian. However, Lutheran church records in this region can also include confirmation records, duplicate church records (often kept by the pastor), marriage Banns, and other miscellaneous additional records that wouldn’t qualifiy as “official.” These records will sometimes be written in an older German handwritten script called Kurrentschrift (which later became Sütterllin).
This style of handwriting, even among contemporary Germans today (who stopped learning this handwriting style before WWII), will seem alien. Reading it can be extremely difficult.
One of the best ways to be able to read Sütterlin or Kurrentschrift, is to take pen to paper and practice writing it yourself. Naturally, having a knowledge of the German language will help you further.
1896 marriage Bann from Wischtiten (via Lithuanian Central State Archives)
What’s in a name?
A point of debate has often been the spelling of names of individuals documented in the Lutheran church records of southwest Lithuania. As explained above, birth, marriage, and death records are generally written in Polish, Russian, German, or Lithuanian. This can even extend to the names of the individuals referenced in the record. Especially true are records written in Russian, where the names are transliterated into Russian to make them pronounceable for Russian speakers. This is equally true for documents in Polish, German, and Lithuanian.
As an example, let’s take the German given name ‘Johann’ which is a male name:
Johann - German
Jan - Polish
Ioann/Ivan - Russian
Jonas - Lithuanian
Depending on the language of the document will determine which spelling is used. In many Russian records, you will see the name Ivan written in Cyrillic with the German version Johann written in parenthesis in the Latin alphabet. This usually leaves the researcher scratching their head and asking “which is the correct version?”
The answer is up for debate. If you are making a translation (as opposed to a transliteration), you would write all the names listed as they are spelled in the document. However, if you are writing a transliteration, or extracting the name and quoting the record as a source, we at the IAGL are of the opinion that the Germanic version is the correct version
The ultimate in translation guides.
If you’re looking to really dive into reading records in Polish, German, Russian, or Latin and want an exhaustive how-to, you need look no further than the In Their Words series of translation guides. Co-written by Jonathan D. Shea and William F. Hoffman, these books provide the reader with everything they need to know about the language, the history of record creation, how records are organised and written, and resources on where to find records and how to read them. They are highly recommend. Visit Langline publishing to learn more or to purchase.
Family Search Wiki
The Family Search Wiki offers multiple research options, including translations.
Virtual Research Strategy Sessions
(previously known as Consultations with Research Specialists) explain the booking process for a Research Strategy Session and a link to Ask the Community
Family Search has German, Polish, and Russian/Slavic Research Specialists (including Lithuania) available for research assistance.
The Poland Genealogy Research community, the German Genealogy Research community, and the Russian Empire Research community offer translations by volunteers and professionals. At the time of this posting, a genealogy community for Lithuania is not available. Lithuania is included the Russian Empire Genealogy Research community.
Translating Napoleonic Records in Polish 1838 to 1868
Family Search Wiki
A Polish Genealogical Word List
A carefully translated birth, marriage, and death record
Not every parish automatically switched to the Russian language in 1868. In some instances, records in Polish continued until into the next year. Researchers can see this change in the Alphabetical Register (index) at the end of each year.
Translating Napoleonic Records in Russian 1868 to 1918
Family Search Wiki
https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/Russian_Poland_Civil_Registration_Reading_Aid
Four presentations about the Russian Alphabet, Language, and Handwriting:
Reading Russian Documents: The Russian Alphabet
Deciphering the Handwriting and Understanding the Grammar
Russian Handwriting and Language
Translating German Records 1838 to 1918
Most 19th century records on the IAGL website are in Polish or Russian, but Confirmation and Marriage Banns were kept by the pastors of local parishes who wrote them in German. They can be especially helpful if the birth and marriage records are lost.
Confirmation Records are in a column format and may list the confirmand’s birth date, father’s name and occupation and mother’s maiden name, and residence in a parish.
Marriage Banns provide the name of the bride and groom and an approximate date of the marriage. The residence of the groom and parish of the bride, the age and occupation of both may also be included.
Family Search provides extensive research assistance. One of the most helpful is the German Genealogical Word List.
Translating Lithuanian Record 1918 to 1940
Family Search Wiki
Lithuanian Genealogical Word List: Many words in old documents are no longer used in the modern language so a genealogical word list is helpful.
Google Translate & Ask the Community
Because records in Lithuanian date from 1918 to 1940 and are in a column format, they are easier to translate.
A researcher could use Google Translate and upload the translation to the Russian Empire Genealogy Research community for verification and additional help. See Ask the Community above.
The Society for German Genealogy in Eastern Europe (SGGE)
The Society of German Genealogy in Eastern Europe provides extensive translation assistance on their website for both Polish and Russian records as well as German.
Some of the most helpful are listed below and lead to other great links:
Translating Russian Documents from Poland (Examples of translated documents in Polish and Russian in the Napoleonic Format and more)
Translation Resources from Russian Docs
The Russian Alphabet (and more)
Polish Origins
A reputable resource with additional examples of translations of records and Polish translations in the Napoleonic format.
Deciphering and translating Polish records on your own
How to read Polish Birth Records
How to read Polish Marriage Records
How to read Polish Death Records
Records Translations Guidelines: Additional links with examples of translated records
Parish Records in Russian: Birth Record
Parish Records in Russian: Marriage Record
Parish Records in Russian: Death Record
Lithuanian Catholic Ancestor Search
About the Lithuanian Alphabet explains the differences in the English and Lithuanian alphabet and the pronunciation of letter combinations.
Another reference includes more detailed information.
Lithuanian Global Genealogy Society
Required Membership may provide translation services from members.
Professional Translators
Balzekus Museum for Lithuanian Culture
A quote from their website states:
“For example, prior to World War I, Lithuania was part of the Russian Empire and documents were issued in the Cyrillic script. In such instances, the staff can assist with the translation of these records.” Fee schedule varies.
Family History Foundation
This site lists six translators for Lithuanian records.
Individual Translators
Many experienced translators are available. We list only those whom we have had personal experience with or who have been recommended to us. Others are invited to apply.
Laimonas Gryva is available for genealogical research in the archives and translation of the records he finds.
Sigrid Pohl Perry is available for translating Polish and Russian parish records and research in Canadian and Eastern Europe parish records.
Vilius Vasekis is available for genealogical research, tours, and Lithuanian, Polish, and Russian translations.
Resources
A guide to translating vital records in 13 languages, including German, Lithuanian, Polish, and Russian. Each chapter shows the alphabet of each language, sample records and translations. A list of words frequently encountered in these records is also included.
In Their Words; A Genealogist's Translation Guide to Polish, German, Latin, and Russian Documents; Volume I: Polish, by Jonathan D. Shea & William F. Hoffman, Language & Lineage Press, 2007.
Examples and translations of more than 60 documents and extracts of birth, marriage, and death records in various formats are included. Other chapters include entries from gazetteers, military records, obituaries, passports, population registers, revision lists, and other documents. This volume also contains a list of more than over 2,500 genealogical terms found in the records.
In Their Words; A Genealogist's Translation Guide to Polish, German, Latin, and Russian Documents; Volume II: Russian, by Jonathan D. Shea & William F. Hoffman, Language & Lineage Press, 2002.
Examples and translations of more than 80 documents and extracts of birth, marriage, and death records in various formats are included. Other chapters include entries from gazetteers, military records, obituaries, passports, population registers, revision lists, and other documents. This volume also contains a list of more than over 4,000 genealogical terms found in the records.
A revised (2014) edition I also available.
This publication may be out of print, but WORLD CAT lists 95 libraries, most in the US, but also in Australia, Canada, Germany. Sweden, and New Zealand.
Russian Language Documents from Russian Poland: A Translation Guide or Genealogists by Jonathan D. Shea, Genun Publishers, 1989.
This publication is out of print, but WORLD CAT lists 34 libraries, most in the US, but also in Australia, Canada, and Germany.