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
• Newspaper and journal articles
• Obituaries
• Wills, inventories, property transfers

Other Services

• Abstracting
• Transcription
• Research consultation, European addresses
• German correspondence on your behalf
• Editing for publication
• Identification of unknown languages
• Referrals to translators specializing in other languages and subject areas

Frequently Asked Questions

How long will it take?

I can often fill small requests within a day or two of receiving them, larger ones within a week or two. However, the turnaround time depends on my availability and current backlog. If you have a critical deadline, please contact me in advance to make sure that I can meet it.

What will it cost?

The cost of your project will ultimately depend on the time it takes; and this, in turn, depends on length, legibility, style, and quality of the source text, as well as any special formatting requirements.

For a ballpark estimate, please e-mail me the specifics. For a binding quote, I need to see a copy of the source document. If it's in electronic form (such as a letter you have written yourself), you can e-mail it to me as an attached Word or RTF file. Faxes are fine for most printed or typed documents, but for best results with German script, please provide the best possible hard copy.

Do you also translate into German?

Yes, but only personal letters and genealogical inquiries. If you are responding to a letter from Germany, please send me a copy of the original letter for reference. This will save time and help ensure accuracy and consistency in the choice of terminology. Bear in mind that German conventions regarding the use of first names, titles, and the pronoun "you" differ from ours. 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?

(Actually this is not a frequently asked question, but it should be.) For my professional credentials, see my résumé. My background in genealogy: As a college student long ago, I extracted information from the obituaries of a 19th century German-language publication 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, the Professional Genealogists' Network. I have led workshops and presented programs on genealogy and on the German language as it pertains to genealogy. I have been translating for family historians since 1983.