Use this glossary to find English meanings for Dutch words and abbreviations commonly found in genealogy records.
| Dutch term | English definition |
|---|---|
| aangenomen naam | alias |
| aangetrouwde | related by marriage |
| aankondiging | announcement |
| aannemen | to adopt |
| aanneming | confirmation |
| aannemingsdag | day of confirmation |
| aantal kinderen | number of children |
| aanval | stroke |
| aardrijkskundig woordenboek | gazetteer |
| acht | eight |
| achtenswaardig | respectable, honorable |
| achtentwintig | twenty-eight |
| achtentwintigste | twenty-eighth |
| achterkleindochter | great-granddaughter |
| achterkleinzoon | great-grandson |
| achternaam | family name, surname, last name |
| achterneef | second cousin (male) |
| achternicht | second cousin (female) |
| achtste | eighth |
| achttien | eighteen |
| achttiende | eighteenth |
| adel | nobility |
| adellijk | noble |
| aderlating | bloodletting |
| adresboek | directory |
| advocaat | notary, lawyer |
| afkomstig van, -uit | coming from, native of |
| afkondigen | to post banns |
| afkondigingen | proclamations, banns |
| afschrift | transcript |
| afstammeling in rechte lijn | lineal descendant |
| afstammeling(en) | descendant(s) |
| afstammingreeks | ancestral line |
| akte | certificate, deed, license |
| akte van overlijden | death certificate |
| ald. | (abbreviation for aldaar) at that place |
| aldaar | at that place |
| algemeen | general |
| alleen | single |
| ambt | office |
| ambt. | (abbreviation for ambtenaar) civil servant |
| ambtenaar | civil servant, official |
| anders genoemd | alias, also known as |
| andersweer | second cousin |
| April | April |
| arbeider | laborer |
| archief | archive |
| audtante | grandaunt |
| Augustus | August |
| avond | evening |
| Avondmaal | communion, sacrament |
| baker | dry nurse |
| bakker | baker |
| bedelaar | beggar |
| bedrijf | business |
| begr. | (abbreviation for begraven) buried |
| begraafboek | register of burials, cemetery registry book, records of the graveyard |
| begraafplaats | cemetery, graveyard |
| begrafenis | burial, funeral |
| begraven | buried, to bury |
| behoeftigden | indigent |
| behoren | to belong to |
| beide | both |
| bejaard | aged, old |
| bekende | acquaintance |
| belasting | taxation |
| belastingregisters | tax rolls and registers |
| België | Belgium |
| bemerking | remarks |
| benadering | approximation |
| ber. | (abbreviation for beroep) occupation, trade |
| beraatdag | day of burial |
| berg | mountain |
| bericht | message |
| berichten | messages |
| beroep | occupation, trade |
| beschrijving | description |
| besnijdenis | circumcision |
| bet-overgrootvader | 2nd great-grandfather |
| bet-over-over grootvader | 3rd great-grandfather |
| betuiging | declaration |
| bevolking | population |
| bevolkingregister | civil registers, census records |
| bewaarder | warden |
| bewijs | certificate |
| bewijs van doop | christening certificate |
| bewijs van overlijden | death certificate |
| bewijs van trouwen | marriage certificate |
| bgm. | (abbreviation for bruidegom) bridegroom |
| bijl. | (abbreviation for bijlage) addendum, appendix, annex |
| bijlage | addendum, appendix, annex |
| bijlagen | supplemental documents |
| bijzit | mistress |
| biografie | biography |
| bisdom | diocese |
| bloeimaand | May |
| boek | book |
| boer | farmer |
| boerenarbeider | farmhand |
| boerenknecht | farm worker |
| boom | tree |
| bosbaas | forester |
| bosch | forest |
| boswachter | forester |
| brd. | (abbreviation for bruid) bride |
| broeder | brother |
| broer | brother |
| broer of zus | sibling |
| broers en zussen | siblings |
| bron | source |
| brouwer | brewer |
| brug | bridge |
| bruid | bride |
| bruidegom | bridegroom |
| buitenechtelijk | illegitimate, extra-marital |
| burgelijke administralie | civil administration |
| burgelijke stand | civil registration |
| burgemeester | mayor |
| burger | citizen |
| burgerboek | citizenship book |
| burgerlijke ambtenaar | civil registrar |
| burgerlijke stand | civil registration, civil administration |
| burgerschap | citizenship |
| buurman | neighbor |
| buurtschap | neighborhood |
| ca. | (abbreviation for circa) about |
| circa | about |
| d.t.b. | (abbreviation for doop, trouw, begraaf) baptism, marriage, burial |
| d.t.b. registers | church records, parish records |
| dag | day |
| dag der begravenis | burial day |
| dagelijks | daily |
| dagen | days |
| dagloner | day laborer |
| dagteekening | document date |
| dal | valley |
| datum | date |
| datum van publicatie | date of publication |
| December | December |
| deed | did |
| deel | volume |
| Deen | Dane |
| Deens | Danish |
| Denemarken | Denmark |
| derde | third |
| dertien | thirteen |
| dertiende | thirteenth |
| dertig | thirty |
| dertigste | thirtieth |
| des | of the |
| dg. | (abbreviation for dag) day |
| diarree | diarrhea |
| dienst | service |
| dienstbode | servant |
| dienstmeisje | servant girl |
| dienstsmeid | maid |
| dinsdag | Tuesday |
| diocees | diocese |
| directe familie | immediate family |
| dochter | daughter |
| dominee | minister |
| donderdag | Thursday |
| dood | death, dead |
| dood geboren | stillborn |
| doodgraver | grave digger |
| doodsakte | death certificate |
| doop | baptism, christening |
| doop ceel | certificate of baptism |
| doop, trouw, begraaf | baptism, marriage, burial |
| doopakte | certificate of baptism |
| doopboek | baptismal register, parish register |
| doopdag | day of baptism |
| doopen | christened |
| doopgetuige | sponsor |
| doopheffer | godfather |
| doophefster | godmother |
| doopkind | godchild |
| doopmoeder | godmother |
| doopregister | baptismal register, parish register |
| doopsgezinde | Mennonite, Baptist |
| doopvader | godfather |
| dopen | to christen, baptize |
| dorp | village |
| dr. | (abbreviation for dochter) daughter |
| drie | three |
| drieëntwintig | twenty-three |
| drieëntwintigste | twenty-third |
| drupped | gout |
| Duits | German (language) |
| Duitser | German (person) |
| Duitsland | Germany |
| duizend | thousand |
| duizendste | thousandth |
| duplicaat | duplicate |
| dysenterie | dysentery |
| echt | marriage |
| echt kind | legitimate |
| echtbreker | adulterer |
| echtegenote | wife |
| echtelieden | spouses |
| echtgenoot | husband |
| echtgenote | wife |
| echtscheiding | divorce |
| echtverbintenis | marriage |
| edelman | nobleman |
| eenendertig | thirty-one |
| eenendertigste | thirty-first |
| eenentwintig | twenty-one |
| eenjarig | annual |
| eergisteren | day before yesterday |
| eerlijk | honest |
| eerste | first |
| eertijds | formerly |
| eeuw | century |
| ehelieden | spouses |
| eigenaar | proprietor |
| eigengeërfde | freeholder |
| elf | eleven |
| elfde | eleventh |
| emigrant | emigrant |
| emigranten register | emigration file |
| emigratie papieren | emigration records |
| erfenis | inheritance |
| evangelisch | evangelical |
| fabriek | factory, mill |
| familie lijst | family group sheet |
| familieleden | relatives |
| familienaam | surname, family name |
| familie-wapen | coat of arms |
| Februari | February |
| feestdag | feast day, holiday |
| fiches | index cards |
| florijn | guilder |
| Fr.d.d. | (abbreviation for Franse datum ) French Republican Calendar date |
| Frankrijk | France |
| Frans | French |
| Franse datum | French Republican Calendar date |
| g.h.o. | (abbreviation for geboorte-, huwelijks en overlijdensregisters) birth, marriage and death registers |
| geb. | (abbreviation for geboren) born |
| geb.dat. | (abbreviation for geboortedatum) date of birth |
| geboorte | birth |
| geboorte-, huwelijks en overlijdensregisters | birth-, marriage and death registers |
| geboorteakte | civil birth record, birth certificate |
| geboortebewijs | birth certificate |
| geboortedatum | date of birth |
| geboorteplaats | birth place |
| geboortetijd | time of birth |
| geboortig | born at, native of |
| geboren | born, maiden name, née |
| gecr. | (abbreviation for gecremeerd) cremated |
| gecremeerd | cremated |
| ged. | (abbreviation for gedoopt) baptized, christened |
| gedoopt | baptized, christened |
| geelzucht | jaundice |
| geestelijke | priest, clergyman |
| geh. | (abbreviation for gehuwd) married |
| gehucht | hamlet |
| gehuwd | married |
| geld | money |
| gelijk | same, alike, similar |
| gem. | (abbreviation for gemeente) municipality or civil parish |
| gemeenschap | community, township |
| gemeente | town, municipality, parish |
| gemeenteraadslid | councilman, town councilor |
| genaamt | named |
| genealogie | genealogy, pedigree |
| generatie | generation |
| gepensioneerd | retired |
| ger. | (abbreviation for gereformeerd) protestant |
| gerechtelijk | court |
| gerechtshof | judicial court |
| gereformeerde | Calvinist Reformed |
| gering | small |
| gesch. | (abbreviation for gescheiden) divorced |
| gescheiden | divorced |
| geschenk | deed, gift, present |
| geschiedenis | history |
| gesl. | (abbreviation for geslacht) gender, sex |
| geslacht | gender, sex |
| geslachtsboom | pedigree, family tree |
| gesn. | (abbreviation for gesneuveld) be killed, fallen in battle |
| gesneuveld | be killed, fallen (in battle) |
| gest. | (abbreviation for gestorven) died, deceased, passed away |
| gestorven | died, deceased, passed away |
| gestorven zonder nageslacht | died without issue |
| get. | (abbreviation for getuige) witness |
| getuige | witness |
| getuigen | christening witness |
| getuigen (huwelijk) | marriage witness |
| gewesen | former |
| gezamelijke verwanten | related to |
| gezegend | blessed, the deceased |
| gezin | immediate family |
| gezindheid | religious affiliation |
| gezinsblad | family group sheet |
| gezinslijst | family group sheet |
| gezwel | tumor |
| gezwollenheid | swelling |
| gezworene | juryman, person under oath |
| gilde registers | guild records |
| gisteren | yesterday |
| godsdienst | religion |
| graaf | count, earl |
| graafschap | county, shire |
| graf | grave, tomb |
| grasmaand | April |
| grensgebied | border, region |
| grondeigenaren | property owners |
| groothandelaar | trader, merchant |
| grootmoeder | grandmother |
| grootouders | grandparents |
| grootvader | grandfather |
| halfbroeder | half brother |
| halfbroer | half brother |
| halfzus | half sister |
| halfzuster | half sister |
| handel | trade, occupation |
| handtekening | signature |
| handwerksgezel | journeyman |
| heel | all, whole, entire |
| heer | master, gentleman, Mr. |
| heerschappen | gentry, lords |
| herbergier | innkeeper |
| herder | shepherd |
| herfstmaand | September |
| hertog | duke |
| hertogdom | duchy |
| hertogin | duchess |
| hervormde | Dutch reformed |
| Hessisch | Hessian |
| heuvel | hill |
| hoer | harlot |
| hoesten | cough |
| honderd | hundred |
| hooimaand | July |
| houtvester | forester |
| hsv | (abbreviation for huisvrouw v) spouse of |
| huidziekte | measles |
| huis | house |
| huisgezin | immediate family |
| huishouding | household |
| huisland | homeland |
| huisvrouw | housewife |
| huw. | (abbreviation for huwelijk) marriage, wedding, wedlock |
| huwelijk | marriage |
| huwelijksaangifte | notification of (intended) marriage |
| huwelijksaangiften | marriage intention |
| huwelijksafkondiging | marriage proclamation |
| huwelijksakte | civil marriage record |
| huwelijksbijlagen | appendices to the marriage record, marriage supplements |
| huwelijksdag | day of marriage |
| huwelijksfeest | wedding |
| huwen | to marry |
| in leven | living |
| ing. | (abbreviation for ingenieur) civil engineer |
| ingekommen | arrival, immigration |
| ingenieur | civil engineer |
| ingezetenen | citizen, occupants |
| inhoud | contents |
| inwoner | inhabitant, citizen |
| Italiaans | Italian |
| Italië | Italy |
| j. or jr. | (abbreviation for jaar or junior) year or junior |
| j.d | (abbreviation for jonge dochter) daughter, unmarried woman |
| j.m | (abbreviation for jonge man) young man, unmarried man |
| ja | yes |
| jaar | year |
| jaarlijks | annual, yearly |
| jager | hunter |
| Januari | January |
| jaren | years |
| jicht | gout |
| jonge dochter | daughter, unmarried woman |
| jonge man | young man, unmarried man |
| jongeling | a youth, unmarried man |
| jongen | boy |
| jongste | youngest |
| Jood | Jew |
| joodse | Jewish |
| juffrouw | Miss, Madame |
| Juli | July |
| Juni | June |
| kadaster | land registry |
| kadastrale acte | cadastral records, registry of deeds, |
| kanker | cancer |
| karman | coachman |
| kasteel | castle |
| kath. | (abbreviation for katholiek) catholic |
| keizerlijk | empire, imperial |
| kerk | church, parish |
| kerk meester | church warden |
| kerk voogt | church warden |
| kerkboek | parish register |
| kerkelijk ambt | parish office |
| kerkeraad | church-council |
| kerkeraads-handelingen | church minutes |
| kerkgenootschap | religious affiliation |
| kerkhof | churchyard, cemetery, graveyard |
| kil | stream, brook |
| kind | child |
| kinderen | children |
| kinkhoest | whooping cough |
| klachten | complaints |
| klapper | index |
| kledinghandelaar | clothier |
| kleermaker | tailor |
| kleindochter | granddaughter |
| kleinkind | grandchild |
| kleinkinderen | grandchildren |
| kleinzoon | grandson |
| klompenmaker | wooden shoemaker |
| knecht | servant |
| koning | king |
| koningin | queen |
| koninkrijk | kingdom, royal |
| koopman | vendor |
| koperslager | coppersmith |
| koster | sexton |
| kraambed | childbirth |
| kraamvrouw | woman in childbirth |
| kraamvrouwenkoorts | puerperal fever |
| kramer | peddler |
| krampachtig | convulsions |
| krampen | cramps, convulsions |
| kuiper | cooper |
| kwaal | disease, complaint |
| kwaliteit | status |
| kwartier | ancestor, quarter |
| kwartierdrager | proband |
| kwartierstaat | pedigree chart |
| lakenvoller | clothier |
| land | country |
| land verlatend | emigrant |
| landbouwer | farmer |
| landgoed, landbezit | estate |
| landkaart | map |
| landlieden | farmers |
| landman | cottager, farmer |
| ldm. | (abbreviation for lidmaat) church member |
| leefde in | lived in |
| leeftijd | age |
| leeftijd bij trouwen | age at marriage |
| leerjongen | apprentice |
| leerling | student, apprentice, pupil |
| lente | spring (season) |
| lentemaand | March |
| levenloos | lifeless |
| levensverwachting | life expectancy |
| leveriaatshuwelijk | marriage with the brother's widow |
| lidmaat | church member |
| lijk | corpse |
| lijnslager | rope maker |
| linnenwever | linen weaver |
| locatie | location |
| logementhouder | innkeeper |
| longontsteking | pneumonia |
| longtering | consumption, tuberculosis |
| looier | tanner |
| louwmaand | January |
| lutheraan | Lutheran |
| m. | (abbreviation for mannelijk) male |
| maand | month |
| maandag | Monday |
| Maart | March |
| makelaar registers | real estate registers |
| man | man, husband |
| mannelijk | male |
| markt | market |
| matig | poor |
| matrilineair | maternal line |
| mazelen | measles |
| meerderjarig | over legal age |
| Mei | May |
| meier | tenant farmer, bailiff |
| meisje | maiden, girl |
| melkerij | dairy |
| melkfabriek | dairy |
| memorie van successie | estate tax |
| metselaar | mason, bricklayer |
| meubelmaker | furniture maker |
| middernacht | midnight |
| mijl | mile |
| mijnwerker | miner |
| militaire | military |
| minderjarig | minor |
| mnd. | (abbreviation for maand) month |
| moeder | mother |
| molen | mill |
| morgen | morning |
| n.h. | (abbreviation for nederlands hervormd ) Dutch Reformed Protestant |
| N.N. | (latin abbreviation for Nomen Nescio) name unknown |
| n.v.t. | (abbreviation for niet van toepassing) irrelevant, doesn't apply |
| na | after |
| naaister | seamstress |
| naam | name |
| naaste verwanten | next of kin |
| nabuur | neighbor |
| nacht | night |
| nagelaten | of the late |
| nageslacht | posterity |
| nakomeling(e) | descendant |
| ned.ger. | (abbreviation for nederlands gereformeerd) protestant |
| nederlands gereformeerd | protestant |
| nederlands hervormd | Dutch Reformed protestant |
| neef | cousin or nephew (male) |
| neffje | nephew |
| negen | nine |
| negende | ninth |
| negenentwintig | twenty-nine |
| negenentwintigste | twenty-ninth |
| negentien | nineteen |
| negentiende | nineteenth |
| negentig | ninety |
| negentigste | ninetieth |
| neger | Negro |
| nicht | cousin or niece (female) |
| niet van toepassing | irrelevant |
| niets | nothing |
| noemen | christened, to christen |
| nog leven | surviving |
| Noor(s) | Norwegian |
| noord | north |
| Noorwegen | Norway |
| notariele protocollen | notarial records |
| notaris | notary |
| o. | (abbreviation for onbekend) not known, unknown |
| oma | grandmother |
| onb. | (abbreviation for onbekend) not known, unknown |
| onbedegen overleden | estateless |
| onbekend | not known, unknown |
| ondergetekende | the undersigned |
| ondertrouw | publication of the banns; betrothal |
| onderwerp | subject |
| onderwijzer | teacher |
| onderwijzeres | teacher (female) |
| onecht kind | illegitimate child |
| ongeh. | (abbreviation for ongehuwd) unmarried, not married |
| ongehuwd | unmarried, not married |
| ongehuwde staat | single state |
| ongetrouwd | unmarried |
| onmondigen | minor |
| ontvanger | tax collector |
| oogstmaand | August |
| oom | uncle |
| oorkonden | records, documents |
| oost | east |
| op hoge leeftijd | at a great age |
| opa | grandfather |
| opziener | overseer |
| organisatie | organization, society |
| otr. | (abbreviation for ondertrouw) publication of the banns |
| oud | old |
| ouderdom | age |
| ouders | parents |
| oudoom | greatuncle |
| oudste | eldest |
| oudste man en vrouw | oldest man and woman |
| oudtante | great-aunt |
| overeenkomst | contract, agreement |
| overgrootmoeder | great-grandmother |
| overgrootvader | great-grandfather |
| overl. | (abbreviation for overlijden) death, decease |
| overleden | died |
| overlijden | death, died |
| overlijdensakte | death certificate, civil death record |
| overlijdensdatum | death date |
| ovl. | (abbreviation for Overleden) died |
| pachter | tenant farmer, leaser |
| parentatie | common descent |
| parenteel | descendants in both male and female line |
| parochie | parish |
| parochieregisters | parish registers |
| Pasen | Easter, Passover |
| pastoor | pastor |
| pastor | catholic priest |
| patroniem | patronymic |
| patroon | employer |
| peet | godfather, godparent, sponsor |
| peetoom | godfather |
| peettante | godmother |
| pensionering | retirement |
| pest | plague, pestilence |
| petemoei | godmother |
| peten | godparents |
| plaag | plague, scourge |
| plaats | place, town |
| plaats van overlijden | death place |
| planter | planter, farmer |
| pokken | smallpox |
| Polen | Poland, Poles |
| Pools | Polish |
| poorter | citizen, freeman |
| poorterboeken | burgher registers |
| poortersboeken | burgher registers |
| post. | (latin abbreviation for postuum) born after death of the father |
| postuum | born after death of the father |
| predikant | minister, clergyman |
| prins | prince |
| prinses | princess |
| profiel | profile |
| prot. | (abbreviation for protestant) |
| protestant | protestant |
| prov. | (abbreviation for provincie) province |
| provinces | county |
| provincie | province |
| r.k. | (abbreviation for rooms katholiek) roman catholic |
| rechtsweer | first cousin |
| register | register, index |
| register van naamsaanneming | register of name taking |
| rel. | (abbreviation for relatie) relationship |
| relatie | relationship |
| Rijksarchief | state archive |
| rooms katholiek | roman catholic |
| sch. | (abbreviation for scheiding) divorce |
| scheiding | divorce |
| schoonmoeder | mother-in-law |
| schoonouders | parents-in-law |
| schoonvader | father-in-law |
| schoonzus | sister-in-law |
| smid | smith |
| stad | city |
| stamboeken | lineage books |
| stamboom | family tree, pedigree |
| stamhouder | son and heir |
| stamreeks | male line, line of descent |
| stiefmoeder | stepmother |
| stiefvader | stepfather |
| taal | language |
| tante | aunt |
| ten doop heffen | to christen, baptize |
| testament | testament, will |
| tr. | (abbreviation for trouwen) marriage; (abbreviation for trouwt) married |
| trouw | marriage |
| trouwakte | marriage certificate |
| trouwboek | register of marriages |
| trouwdag | day of marriage |
| trouwt | married |
| tussenvoegsel | name prefix |
| tweeling (s) | twin(s) |
| typische gezinsgrootte | typical family size |
| uitnodigingen | invitations |
| ungehuwed | unmarried |
| v. | (abbreviation for vrouwelijk) female |
| v.d. | (abbreviation for voogd paterneel ) paternal tutor |
| v.m. | (abbreviation for voogd materneel ) maternal tutor |
| vader | father |
| van | of, from |
| van halve bedde | half-sibling |
| verhalen | stories |
| verloving | betrothal |
| Vertalingen | translations |
| verwanten | relatives |
| verwantschap | relationship |
| volkstelling | census |
| volm. | (abbreviation for volmacht) authorization |
| volmacht | authorization |
| vondeling | abandoned child |
| vonnis | sentence (jur.) |
| voor | before |
| voornaam | first name, given name, Christian name |
| voornaam moeder | mother's given name |
| voornaam vader | father's given name |
| voorvader | ancestor, forefather |
| voorvoegsel | name prefix |
| vormsel | catholic confirmation |
| vrouw | woman, wife, female |
| vrouwelijk | female |
| wdnr. | (abbreviation for weduwnaar) widower |
| wed. | (abbreviation for weduwe) widow |
| weduwe | widow |
| weduwnaar | widower |
| week | week |
| weken | weeks |
| wk. | (abbreviation for week) week |
| wonende te | living in |
| woonachtig te | resident of |
| woonpl. | (abbreviation for woonplaats) place of residence |
| woonplaats | place of residence |
| workman | laborer |
| zelfmoord | suicide |
| zn. | (abbreviation for zoon) son |
| zonder | without |
| zoon | son |
| zuigeling | baby |
| zus | sister |
| zuster | sister |
| zwager | brother-in-law |