Old Documentation Interpretation

Frequently during research, we run across a word or writing style that hasn't been used for a couple of centuries. Sometimes we encounter a document that is in a different language. Below are some links to help you out as you attempt to puzzle out what that document says.

• How to read a 200-yr-old document & other FAQ's - Examines old writing styles & helps make sense of all those meaningless squiggles.
• Colonial Occupations - Lists colonial occupations & what they translate to in modern terms.
• Alta Vista Online Translation - Assists in translation from selected languages back into English.
• Instant Olde English - Same as Alta Vista, only for Olde English It assigns alphanumeric values to each surname, allowing for multiple spellings of the same name to be grouped together.
• Genealogical Glossary - Terms you may run across during your research.
• Genealogy Hints & Tips - Various tips & hints. Includes info on everything from vital records to courthouse etiquette.
• Diseases - A list of old disease/medical conditions and their "modern" equivalents

Send questions and comments to John Grace

Kentucky GenWeb project