Austro-Hungarian Empire Language and Handwriting

Records of the Empire might be written in German, Hungarian, Polish, Czech, or Russian.

Reading the Records

 * It's easier than you think! You do not have to be fluent a language to use these records, as there is only a limited vocabulary used in them. By learning a few key phrases, you will be able to read them adequately.  Here are some resources for learning to read records.

German

 * German Genealogical Word List
 * German Handwriting


 * These video webinars will teach you to read German handwriting:
 * Old German Script Part 1
 * Old German Script Part 2
 * Old German Script (German Church and Civil Records) Part 3


 * Also online interactive slideshow lessons are available to help you learn to read these records:
 * Reading German Handwritten Records Lesson 1: Kurrent Letters
 * Reading German Handwritten Records Lesson 2: Making Words in Kurrent
 * Reading German Handwritten Records Lesson 3: Reading Kurrent Documents. In this lesson, you will explore several types of German genealogical records, including birth, baptismal, marriage, and death records.
 * German Script Tutorial

This converter will show you how any phrase or name might look in German script:
 * Kurrentschrift Converter (enter German genealogical word, click on "convert", view your word in Kurrentschrift (Gothic handwriting)

Polish
Because Silesia is now in Poland, these articles will help:
 * Poland Letter Writing Guide
 * Polish Word List
 * Poland Language and Languages

Czech

 * Czech Republic Genealogical Word List
 * Czech Republic Handwriting
 * Czech Republic Language and Languages
 * Czech Republic Letter Writing Guide

Russian

 * Russia Handwriting
 * Russian Genealogical Word List
 * Russian Letter Writing Guide