There was much excitement on my part last year when I uncovered 15 records on my family members, all written in old German script. Difficulty in reading a record may not result from a record keeper’s poor penmanship but rather the use of a different style of handwriting. Handwriting Guide: German Gothic PURPOSE Reading old German records requires a knowledge of basic German genealogical terms and familiarity with German handwriting. Support ANOMALIES! The Sütterlin script and the Sütterlin alphabet. Once you have learned this particular script and its characteristic features, you will discover that it becomes far easier to decipher the preceding and subsequent German scripts. Each letter has an upper case version first followed by a lower case. I have selected the “Kurrent” script, which was in common usage in 1900. The Gothic alphabet can be found both in printed and handwritten records. As most early German … Each letter has an upper case version first followed by a lower case. The last example in the list above shows the Sütterlin script. The alphabet is the same an american english except for the 'beta' letter after 's' which … This is the old German Scripth alphabet. It can be a challenge to read, even for people who can read Danish, but you can learn to read it with a little patience. Once you’ve found your ancestor’s German letters, certificates and other documents, it is then important to hire a translator who can read the old German handwriting and professionally translate these into native-sounding English. In the case of the older German records, they are in the old style script (Alteschrift) which is somewhat difficult to interpret, even if the handwriting in good. Articles for Patrons Only, and other Exclusive Content! Resolute to be able to read these, I sought out and watched every video and webinar I could find on the internet related to this old alphabet; I even practiced the latter since I dabble in calligraphy. It was developed by Ludwig Sütterlin in 1911 and taught at school as a German script until 1941. Even today many great-grandparents and grandparents can still read this script. Help Keep the Paranormal Real by Becoming a Patron! This old-fashioned script, known as Kurrentschrift, was taught in German schools until 1941, when the government declared that a Latin-based font (the script we use) was to be the new form of writing in the country. Gothic script is also called Old German Script because it was originally developed and used in German-speaking countries. Examples of German Script Page 1 of 7 I found this project so rewarding that I began to specialize in English translation of old German script. That’s where I come in. Below you see the Sütterlin alphabet: Common German Script reading problems from Legacy webinars "Deciphering German Script" by Gail S. Blankenau, Genealogist This is the old German Scripth alphabet. The alphabet is the same an american english except for the 'beta' letter after 's' which stands for a double 's' typically. write these particular scripts. Like oral history, these personal letters opened up a rich view of the human side of the past, making them fascinating reading. Even if one is familiar with this script, variations in individual handwriting and crammed entries make the job time-consuming. Moreover, it will make it easier to read old … are handwritten. Patron Benefits: Access to New Articles at least a Week before Anyone Else!