FAQ

Translation

I work routinely with the following document types, printed, typed, or handwritten:

• Correspondence with German archives
• Old letters and diaries
• Vital records and certificates
• Local histories
• Emigration records and passports
• Military passes
• Journeyman's books
• Newspaper and journal articles
• Obituaries
• Wills, inventories, property transfers

Other Services

• Abstracting
• Transcription
• Research consultation, European addresses
• German correspondence on your behalf

Frequently Asked Questions

How long will it take?

I can often fill small requests within a few days. However, the turnaround time depends on my availability and current backlog. If you have a critical deadline, please inquire.

What will it cost?

The cost of your project will depend on time spent. Estimates take into account length, legibility, style, and quality of the source text, as well as any special formatting requirements.

For a ballpark estimate, I need to know how the translation will be used or who the target readers are, and I need sample pages. For a binding quote, I need the same information plus a copy of entire text to be translated. You can e-mail it to me as a Word, PDF, or JPEG file. Faxes are fine for most printed or typed documents, but less satisfactory for handwriting.

Do you also translate into German?

Yes, but only personal letters and genealogical inquiries, nothing for official use or publication. If you are responding to a letter from Germany, please send a copy of the original letter for reference. This will save time and help ensure accuracy and consistency in the choice of terminology. German etiquette regarding the use of first names, titles, and the pronoun "you" is different from ours, so it's best to follow your correspondent's lead.

Do you translate entire books?

I do, but it is more time-consuming and costly than most people realize. A summary may serve your purposes just as well. If you tell me the names, occupations, and time periods that interest you, I can skim the material and report my findings. The amount of detail depends on your budget. You can always request more information later.

What are your credentials?

For my credentials as a translator, see my résumé. My experience in genealogy began long ago, when, as a college student, I extracted information from the obituaries of a 19th-century German periodical for a genealogist, who eventually published the data. I began researching my own ancestry in 1975 and have published three family histories, all with German connections. I am a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists and its North Carolina chapter. I have led workshops and presented programs on the German language as it pertains to genealogy. I have been in the business of translating for genealogists and transcribing from German script since 1983.