Dictionaries & Glossaries - Old Terms in Genealogical Records

Genealogy dictionaries and glossaries are a necessary tool for any genealogist. Old documents are often full of words which are no longer in use, or whose meanings have changed, including legal terms that have fallen into disuse, old occupations and trades, and archaic medical terms. Find the meaning of that old word, whether it's an archaic...

Documents from the past often mean words from the past. Noah Webster created his first dictionary in 1806, and such historical dictionaries are often filled with terms which have disappeared or whose usage has changed. Look for old editions or historical reprints or standard dictionaries for the meanings and usage of such words. In some cases,...

When tracing your family tree, it is common to encounter records filled with archaic, obsolete, legal or specialized words and terms. Learn how to use dictionaries and glossaries to understand the words and phrases you encounter in genealogical documents.

Find surname origins and meanings, plus research links, common last name spelling variations, and surname search tips for last names of American, English, Irish, German, French, Italian, Spanish, Scottish, and Jewish origin.

This free genealogy glossary consists of common genealogy terms, archaic medical terms, latin terms commonly found in genealogical records, genealogical acronyms and abbreviations commonly found in genealogy records.

If you found your ancestor named as a ripper, seinter, hosteler, sperviter, dobber, or pettifogger, would you know what it meant? This free glossary of old occupations explains the function of hundreds of old occupations, trades, and job titles.

No matter where in the world they are taken, census schedules usually offer very little room. Therefore, census takers often found it necessary to use abbreviations to get all of the required information onto the census form.

A guide to symbols, acronyms and abbreviations found on military tombstones.