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Making sense of old handwriting

Genealogical Glossary


Below is a glossary of common words that are frequently found in genealogical records. This is not an exhaustive list, nor does it catalog the many possible spellings or variations that can be found in old records; however, it should help to identify words found in old documents.

Abbreviations

abbr. = abbreviation
abl. = ablative
acc. = accusative
adj. = adjective
adv. = adverb
conj. = conjunctive
enc. = enclitic
dep. = deponent
f = feminine
irr. = irregular
m = masculine
ml. = Medieval Latin
n = neuter
part. = participle
pl. = plural only
prep. = preposition
pron. = pronoun
subj. = subjunctive



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V
W
X
Y
Z


A

Ā, ab, prep.: (+abl.) from, out of, by, since.

Abbās, -tis, 3.m: Abbot.

Abbātia, -æ, 1.f: Abby, monastery.

Abeō, -īre, -iī, -itum, irr.v: To leave, go away; to retire; to die.

Abinde, adv.: From that place, thence; since.

Aborsus, -ūs, 4.m: Abortion; miscarriage, premature delivery.

Absolvō, -ere, -solvī, -solūtum, 3.v: To absolve, acquit; to release, discharge.

Absque, prep.: (+abl.) without.

Absum, abesse, āfuī, abfutūrum, irr.v: To be absent, not present.

Ac, atque, conj.: and, and even, and also.

Accessus, -ūs, 4.m: Entry, audience; approach, arrival.

Accidō, -ere, -ī, 3.v: To fall upon; To happen, occur.

Accipiō, -ipere, -ēpī, -eptum, 3.v: To take, receive

Ad, prep.: (+acc.) to, towards; nearby, until.

Adiūdicō, -āre, -āvī, -ātum, 1.v: To grant or award something to someone as a judge, adjudge; to assign or attribute something to someone.

Adsum, adesse, adfuī, adfutūrum, irr.v: To be present; to be near.

Æger, -gra, -grum, adj.: Sick, ill; weak, weary.

Æs, æris, 3.n: Copper, bronze, brass; money, pay; payment, debt.

Æstās, -ātis, 3.f: Summer.

Ætās, -ātis, 3.f: age, lifetime; age, era; lifespan.

Agnātus, -ī, 2.m: A relative connected through the male line.

Agricola, -æ, 1.m: Farmer, cultivator.

Aliēnus, -a, -um, adj.: Of or belonging to another; of another country, foreign; unconnected, separate.

Amita, -æ, 1.f: Paternal aunt.

Anima, -æ, 1.f: Soul, spirit; wind, breeze, air.

Anno Domini: In the year of the Lord, abbreviated as A.D.

Annus, -ī, 2.m: Year.

Annuus, -a, -um, adj.: yearly, annually.

Ante merīdiem: before noon; abb. A.M.

Ante, prep.: (+acc.) before, in front, forwards; yearly payment.

Apostolus, -ī, 2.m: Apostle.

Aprīlis, -ī, 3.m: May.

Augustus, -ī, 2.m: August.

Aut, conj.: or, either or; -ve, enc.: or.

Autumnus, -ī, 2.m: Autumn

Avia, -æ, 2.f: Grandmother.

Avunculus, -ī, 2.m: Maternal uncle.

Avus, -ī, 2.m: Grandfather.

B

Baccalārius, -ī, 2.m: (ml) Landless serf; (ml) a knight with not retainers; (ml) apprentice, bachelor.

Baiulus, -ī, 2.m: Porter, carrier; manager, steward, administrator; (ml) bailiff.

Bannus, -ī, 2.m: (ml) bann, refers to various types of legal documents, including marriage, ecclesiastical jurisdictions, court summons, etc.

Baptismum, -ī, 2.n: Baptism.

Baptīzō, -āre, -āvī, -ātum, 1.v: To baptize.

Barō, -ōnis, 3.m: (ml) vassal, baron.

Beatus, -a, -um, adj.: Blessed; Beatified, refers to holy personages that are a step below being a Saint in the Catholic church.

Bercārius, -ī, 2.m: Shepherd(?).

Bīduum, -ī, 2.n: A period of two days.

Bis, adv.: Twice, two times.

Bordarius, -ī, 2.m: (ml) Bordar, a low ranking individual holding enough land to feed a family.

Braciator, -ōris, 3.m: Brewer.

Burgēnsis, -se, adj.: Burgher, the title of a privileged citizen of a medieval town that usually inferred special rights and privileges.

C

Cadaver, -is, 3.n: dead body, cadaver.

Cælebs, adj.: Unmarried, single.

Cæmentārius, -ī, 2.m: Stonemason; a worker in concrete.

Calceārius, -ī, 2.m: Shoemaker.

Calceātor, -ōris, 3.m: Shoemaker.

Capella, -æ, 1.f: Chapel; choir.

Capellānus, -ī 2.m: Chaplain.

Carnārius, -ī, 2.m: Butcher.

Carpentārius, -ī, 2.m: Coachman, cartwright; (ml) carpenter.

Carta, -æ, 1.f: charter, record; book, writing.

Casata, -æ, 1.f/-um, -a, 2.n: (ml) A family of serfs; farmyard.

Casatus, -ī, 2.m: (ml) A serf that has a holding; cottager.

Cathedrālis, -is, adj.: of or dealing with a cathedral; a cathedral is ‘ecclēsia cathedrālis.’

Causa, -æ, 1.f: Cause, reason.

Cēnsus, -ūs, 4.m: Census, register.

Cerdō, -ōnis, 3.m: Artisan, handiworker; (ml) tanner.

Circā, prep.: (+acc.) about, around, concerning.

Cīvis, cīvis, 3.m/f: Citizen.

Cīvitās, -ātis, 3.f: citizenship with its right; a city with its surrounding territory; (ml) city, cathedral city; (ml) borough, walled city.

Cōgnāta, -æ, 1.f: Relation, kinswoman, blood relative.

Cōgnātus, -ī, 2.m: Relation, kinsman, blood relative.

Cōgnōmen, -inis, 3.n: Surname, family name.

Cōgnōscō, -ōscere, -ōvī, -itum. 3.v: To recognize, know; to acknowledge; to learn.

Comes, -it is, 3.m: Companion, partner; (ml) count, earl.

Cōnfirmātus, -a, -um, adj.: Confirmed.

Confrater, -ris, 3.m: Colleague, brother; fellow, guild brother.

Coniūx, -gis, 3m/f: Spouse, married partner.

Cōnsobrīna, -æ, 1.f: Cousin.

Cōnsobrīnus, -ī, 2.m: Cousin.

Cōram, prep.: (+abl.) in presence of.

Corpus, corporis, 3.n: Body, corpse; substance, material; collection.

Crās, adv.: Tomorrow.

Cultūra, -æ, 1.f: a piece of cultivated land, cultivation; agriculture.

Cum, prep.: (+abl.) with; (+subj.) When, since.

Cūria, -æ, 1.f: Senate; (ml) court.

D

Data, -æ, 1.f: (ml) date.

Dē, pre.: (+abl.) of, from; concerning.

Dēcēdō, -ere, -cessī, -cessum, 3.v: to depart, leave; to die.

December, -bris, 3.m: December.

Dēfūnctus, -a, -um, adj.: Dead, deceased.

Deinde, adv.: after; thereafter; next.

Deus, -ī, 2.m: God.

Dexter, -ra, -rum, adj.: right; skillful.

Diāconus, -ī, 2.m: Deacon.

Diēs Lūnæ, 5.f: Monday.

Diēs Mārtis, 5.f: Tuesday.

Diēs Mercuriī, 5.f: Wednesday.

Diēs Iovis, 5.f: Thursday.

Diēs Veneris, 5.f: Friday.

Diēs Sāturnī, 5.f: Saturday.

Diēs Sōlis/Dominica, 5.f: Sunday.

Diēs, diēī, 5.m: Day; when feminine: appointed day, deadline.

Diœcēsis, -is, 3.f: Diocese, an administrative division of the Catholic church administered by a bishop.

Dīvīnum officum: ‘Divine office,’ referring to the set of Catholic prayers comprising the canonical hours.

Dīvīnus, -a, -um, adj.: Divine.

Dō, dare, dedī, datum, irr.v: to give; to offer.

Doctor, -ōris, 3.m: Doctor, teacher, instructor.

Dōs, dōtis, 3.f: Dowry.

Dum, conj.: While; until; so long as.

Dux, ducis, 3.m/f: Leader, commander; (ml) duke/duchess.

E

Ē, ex, prep.: (+abl.) out of, from.

Ecclēsia, -æ, 1.f: Church, place of worship.

Eiusdem: see īdem.

Elemosyna, -æ, 1.f: Alms.

Enim, conj.: Truly, really, indeed; so.

Episcopus, -ī, 2.m: Bishop.

Epistola, -æ, 1.f: Letter, epistle.

Errātum, -ī, 2.n: error, mistake, fault.

Et, conj.: and; et … et: both … and; -que, enc.: and.

Etiam, conj.: Also, still, furthermore, even.

Exhālō, -āre, -āvī, -ātum, 1.v: To breathe out, (figurative) to die.

Extrāneus, -ī, 2.m: foreigner; stranger, outsider.

F

Faber, fabri, 2.m: Artisan, craftsman; smith, metal worker.

Februārius, -ī, 2.m: February.

Fēria, -æ, 1.f: Festival; holy day, holiday; fair; (ml) weekday.

Fidēlis, -e, adj.: Faithful, loyal; true.

Fīlia, -æ, 1.f: Daughter.

Fīliaster, -rī, 2.m: Stepson, son-in-law.

Fīliastra, -æ, 1.f: Stepdaughter, daughter-in-law.

Fīlius, -ī, 2.m: Son.

Fōns, fontis, 3.m: fountain, spring; baptismal font.

Frāter, -ris, 3.m: Brother.

Frūmentum, -ī, 2.n: Wheat; corn, grain.

G

Garciō, -ōnis, 3.m: (ml) servant; (ml) mercenary; (ml) boy.

Gemellus, -ī, 2.m: Twin.

Geneālogia, -æ, 1.f: Genealogy.

Gener, -ī, 2.m: Son-in-law.

Generōsus, -a, -um, adj.: Generous; well-bred, noble.

Genitor, -ōris, 3.m: Parent, father; creator.

Germānus, -a, -um, adj.: Truem authentic; full, own.

Germānus, -ī, 2.m: A full brother.

Gignō, -ere, genuī, gentium, 3.v: To give birth to, beget; to bring forth.

Glōs, glōris, 3.f: Husband’s sister, sister-in-law.

Grātia, -æ, 1.f: Grace; thankfulness.

Gravida, -æ, 1.f: (ml) Pregnant woman.

Gubernium, -ī, 2.n: (ml) government, guidance.

H

Habendum et tenendum: (legal phrase) To have and to hold.

Habeō, habēre, habuī, habitum, 2.v: To have, hold.

Hebdomada, -æ, 1.f: Week, a group of seven days; a grouping of seven.

Herctum, -ī, 2.n: Inheritance, in reference to the partition of an inheritance.

Hērēditārius, -a, -um, adj.: hereditary; of inheritance.

Hērēditās, -ātis, 3.f: inheritance

Hērēs, hērēdis, 3.m/f: heir or heiress.

Herī, adv.: Yesterday.

Hīberna, -ī, 2.n.pl: Time spent in winter, wintering.

Hīc, adv.: Here, in this place.

Hiems, hiemis, 3.f: Winter

Hodiē, adv.: Today.

Homō, hominis, 3.m: An individual of either sex, person, human; man.

Hōra, -æ, 1.f: Hour; time; season.

Hūiusmodus, -ī, 2.m: Of this kind, of this sort.

Hypothēca, -æ, 1.f: Security for a loan or debt.

I

Iaceō, -ēre, iacuī, iacitūrum, 2.v: To lie, rest, recline; to lie dead; to be deposited.

Iam, adv.: Already, now.

Iānuārius, -ī, 2.m: January.

Ibi, adv.: in that place, there.

Īdem, eadem, idem, pro.: The same, likewise; often spelt as ‘item.’

Īgnōscō, -scere, -vī, -tum, 3.v: To be unknown, not know; to pardon, forgive.

Ignōtus, -a, -um, adj.: Unknow.

Ille, -a, -ud, pron.: that, he, she, it.

Impedīmentum, -ī, 2.n: Impediment, hindrance.

In, prep.: (+acc.) into, towards; until; according to; (+abl.) in, at, within; during.

Incola, -æ, 1.m/f: Inhabitant, resident.

Īnfrā, prep.: (+acc.) below.

Īnfrāscrīptus, -a, -um, adj.: Written below.

Īnsula, -æ, 1.f: Island, apartment house.

Inter, prep.: (+acc.) between, among, during.

Ipse, -a, -um, pron.: Self, oneself, itself.

Ita, adv.: so, thus, yes.

Iūlius, -ī, 2.m: July.

Iūnius, -ī, 2.m: June.

Iūs, iūris, 3.n: Right, law.

Iuxtā, adv.: nearly; prep: (+acc.) near, next to.

J

K

L

Labōrātor, -ōris, 3.m: (ml) plowman, tiler.

Lānārius, -ī, 2.m: Wool-worker.

Lavācrum, -ī, 2.n: Bath; (ml) baptism, washing; (ml) baptismal font.

Lēgitimus, -a, -um, adj.: Lawful, legal, legitimate.

Lēvir, lēvirī, 2.m: Husband’s brother.

Lēx, -gis, 3.f: Law; contract.

Liber, -brī, 2.m: Book.

Līber, -era, -erum, adj.: Free, independent.

Littera, -æ, 1.f: Letter, document; pl.: literature, books, records.

Locus, -ī, 2.m: Place, spot, location; neighborhood.

Lūdus, -ī, 2.m: School; game, sport; public spectical.

Lūstrātiō, -ōnis, 3.f: Ritual cleansing, purification.

M

Maius, -ī, 2.m: May.

Māne, adv.: Morning, in the morning.

Marītus, -ī, 2.m: Husband, spouse; married man.

Mārtius, -ī, 2.m: March.

Māter, mātris, 3.f: Mother.

Mātertera, -æ, 1.f: Maternal aunt.

Mātrimōnium, -ī, 2.n: Marriage, matrimony.

Mēnsis, -is, 3.m: Month.

Merīdiēs, -ī, 5.m/f: Midday, noon; the position of the sun at noon, i.e. south.

Mīles, mīlitis, 3.m: Soldier; (ml) Knight.

Monachus, -ī, 2.m: Monk.

Monastērium, -ī, 2.n: Monastery.

Mors, mortis, 3.f: Death; corpse.

Mortuus, -a, -um, adj.: Dead.

Mōs, mōris, 3.m: Custom, manner.

Mulier, -is, 3.f: woman, female; wife.

N

Nāscor, nāscī, nātum, dep.v: to be born; the past part; (natus, -a, -um) is used in documents.

Nātīvus, -a, -um, adj.: Native, acquired by birth; naturally occurring in a place.

Natus, -a, -um, adj.: born.

Ne, adv.: If, if not; conj.: not.

Nec, neque, conj.: nor, not either.

Nepōs, -ōtis, 3.f: Grandson; nephew.

Neptis, -is, 3.f: Granddaughter; niece.

Nihil, adv.: Not at all, nothing.

Nimis, adv.: too much, extremely.

Nisī, adv.& conj.: if not.

Noctū or Noctē, adv.: at night, by night.

Nōmen, nōminis, 3.n: Name.

Notārius, -ī, 2.m: Notary; clerk, secretary.

November, -bris, 3.m: November.

Noverca, -æ, 1.f: Stepmother.

Novus, -a, -um, adj.: New.

Nox, -ctis, 2.f: Night; darkness.

Nūbō, -ere, nūpsī, nūptum, 3.v: to marry, to be married to.

Nunc, adv.: Now.

Nūptiæ, -ārum, 1.f.pl: Weddin, marriage, nuptial.

Nurus, -ūs, 4.f: Daughter-in-law.

O

Ob, prep.: (+acc.) towards, for, because of.

Obeō, -īre, -iī, obitum, irr4.v: To die, pass away; to meet one’s death.

Obiit: see obeo.

Obitus, -a, -um, adj.: Died, perished.

Obstētrīx, -īcis, 3.f: Midwife.

Octōber, -bris, 3.m: October.

Œconomus, -ī, 2.m: Manager, steward; churchwarden; also spelt as Economus.

Officium, -ī, 2.n: office, duty; obligation, responsibility.

Ōlim, adv.: Formerly, once, one day (past or future); once upon a time; often, for some time.

Operārius, -ī, 2.m: Worker, laborer.

Oppidum, -ī, 2.n: Town, walled town.

Orbus, -a, -um, adj.: That has lost a child; orphaned; childless, barren; bereft, deprived, destitute; blind.

Orphanus, -ī, 2.m: Orphan.

Ortus, -ūs, 4.m: Birth; sunrise.

P

Parochia, -æ, 1.f: Parish; ecclesiastical district.

Parvulus, -ī, 2.m: Very small, child, infant.

Parvus, -a, -um, adj.: Small, little.

Pater, -tris, 2.m: Father, parent.

Patraster, patrastrī, 2.m: Father-in-law.

Patrinus, -ī, 2.m: Godparent.

Patruus, -ī, 2.m: Paternal uncle.

Pauper, -is, 3.m: Poor.

Peregrīnus, -ī, 2.m: Foreigner, traveler; pilgrim.

Perendiē, adv.: On the day after tomorrow.

Pereō, -īre, -iī, -itum, irr.v: To die, perish.

Post merīdiem: After noon, in the afternoon; abbr. P.M.

Post, prep: (+abl.) after.

Postrīdiē, adv.: On the day after, on the following day.

Postumus, -a, -um, adj.: Last born, especially born after the death of the father.

Prædīcō, -cere, -īxī, -ctum: Aforementioned; (ml) to preach the gospel.

Presbyter, presbyterī, 2.m: Priest, presbyter.

Prīdiē, adv.: On the day before.

Prīvigna, -æ, 1.f: Stepdaughter.

Prīvignus, -ī, 2.m: Stepson.

Prōlēs, -is, 3.f: Offspring, children.

Puella, -æ, 1.f: Girl, maiden.

Puer, -rī, 2.m: Boy, child.

Puera, -æ, 1.f: Girl.

Q

Quadrāgesima, -æ, 1.f: Lent.

Quam, adv.: How? How much?

Quando, conj.: When, because.

Quasi, conj.: As if, almost.

Quī, quæ, quod, pron.: What.

Quia, conj.: because.

Quis, quid, pron.: Who, which.

Quōque, adv.: also, likewise.

R

Recōgnōscō, -scere, -gnōvī, -gnitum, 3.v: to acknowledge, recognize.

Rēctor, -ōris, 3.m: Rector, a cleric who functions as an administrative leader.

Registrum, -ī, 2.n: (ml) A register, where things are recorded; index.

Relevium, -ī, 2.n: Feudal relief, a tax paid by the heir of a feudal tenant to allow him to take possession of the fief.

Relicta, -æ, 1.f: Widow; abandoned.

Relictus, -ī, 2.m: Widower; abandoned.

Religiō, -ōnis, 3.f: Religion; piety, reverence.

Relinquō, -inquere, -īquī, -ictum, 3.v: To leave behind, abandon; to bequeath.

Renātus, -a, -um, adj.: revived, renewed; born again; baptized.

Requiēscō, -ēscere, -ēvī, -ētum. 3.v: To rest repose.

Rēs, reī, 5.f: Thing, matter, issue.

Reverendus, ī, 2.m: Reverend.

Rītus, -ūs, 4.m: Rite, ceremony.

Rūsticus, -ī, 2.m: Farmer, peasant, rustic.

S

Sabbatum, -ī, 2.n: Sabbath, Saturday, also diēs Sabbatī.

Sacellum, -ī, 2.n: Sanctuay; chapel.

Sæpe, adv.: Often, frequently.

Salārium, -ī, 2.n: Salary, pension.

Sānctus, -a, -um, adj.: Saint, holy person; holy, blessed.

Sanguis, -inis, 3.m: Blood; familial relationship.

Schola, -æ, 1.f: School, leisure time given to learning.

Scrīptum, -ī, 2.n: Text, anything written; deed.

Sed, conj.: but, however.

Senīlis, is, adj.: old, aged; senile.

September, -bris, 3.m: September.

Septimāna, -æ, 1.f: Week.

Sepultus, -a, -um, adj.: buried, interred.

Servus, -ī, 1.f: Servant, serf, slave.

Sī, conj.: if.

Sine, prep.: (+abl.) without.

Sinister, -ra, -rum, adj.: Left; sinister, bad.

Sīve, conj.: or, what if; sīve…sīve: whether… or.

Sobrīna, -æ, 1.f: Cousin.

Sobrīnus, -ī, 2.m: Cousin.

Socer, -ī, 2.m: Father-in-law.

Socrus, -ūs, 4.f: Mother-in-law.

Soror, -ōris 3.f: Sister.

Spurius, -a, -um, adj.: of illegitmate birth; false, spurious.

Stō, stāre, stetī, statum. 1.v: to stand, remain; to stop.

Sub, prep.: (+abl & acc) under, beneath.

Super, prep.: (+abl.) Above, on top of.

Suprascriptus, -a, -um, adj.: Written above, the above written.

Susceptor, -ōris, 3.m: Contractor, one who undertakes something; receiver, tax collector.

Suus, -a, -um, pron.: his, her, its.

T

Taberna, -æ, 1.f: shop, store; inn; tavern.

Tam, adv.: as much; so, so much; tam… quam: both…and.

Testāmentum, -ī, 2.n: Testament, will.

Testimōnium, -ī, 2.n: Witness, testimony; evidence.

Testis, -is, 3.m/f: Witness.

Thiam: rare from for aunt, from Greek ‘theía.’

Thium: Rare form for uncle, from Greek ‘theîo.’

Trentāle, -ālis, 3.n: Trental mass, a requiem mass given either every day for thirty days or on the thirtieth day after death of burial.

Trīduum, 2.n: A period of three days.

Trīnitās, -ātis, 3.f: The Holy Trinity.

Tumulus, -ī, 2.m: tomb, grave.

Tunc, adv.: Then, at that time; therefore.

Tūtēla, -æ, 1.f: Tutelage, guardianship; safeguard, protection.

Tūtor, -ōris, 3.m: tutor; guardian; protector.

U

Ubi, adv.: Where; conj.: when, if.

Ubīque, adv.: Everywhere.

Ūllus, -a, -um, pron.: Any, anyone.

Ultrā, adv.: Beyond, further; prep.: (+acc.): beyond.

Unde, adv.: from where.

Urbs, -bis, 3.f: City, walled town.

Ut supra: (phrase) as above.

Ut, adv.: As, same as; conj.: when.

Ūtilitās, -ātis, 3.f: Usefulness, utility, profit.

Ūtor, ūtī, ūsum, dep.v: (+abl.) To use; to wear (clothes); to manage, employ.

Uxor, -ōris 1.f: Wife, spouse; married woman.

V

Vel, adv.: or, as well.

Vēndō, -ere, -idī, -itum, 3.v: To sell.

Veniō, venīre, vēnī, ventum, 4.v: To come.

Vēr, vēris, 3.n: Spring.

Vērō, conj.: Truly, even so, still.

Vērus, -a, -um, adj.: True, real, proper.

Venerābilis, -e, adj.: Venerable, august, noble.

Vesper, -ī, 2.m: Evening, in the evening.

Via, -æ, 1.f: Road, street, path; journey.

Vicecomes, -itis, 3.f: Sheriff; vicomte (generally in the continent); viscount (generally in England).

Vīcīnus, -ī, 2.m: Neighbor.

Vidua, -æ, 1.f: Widow.

Viduus, -ī, 2.m: Widower.

Vigilia, -æ, 1.f: watch, vigil; one of four divisions of the night, eve.

Villa, -æ, 1.f: Villa, country house; (ml.) town.

Vīllānus, -ī, 2.m: (ml) Villein, serf, a pvillager or rural resident.

Vir, virī, 2.m: Man; soldier.

Virgō, -inis, 3.f: Maid, Maiden; virgin.

Vīta, -æ, 1.f: Life; manner of life.

Vītricus, -ī, 2.m: Stepfather.

Vīvō, -ere, -xī, -ctum, 3.v: To live; to sustain life.

Volō, velle, voluī, irr.v: To want, wish, desire.

Voluntās, -ātis, 3.f: Will, desire; testament.

Vulgus, -ī, 2.n: Common people, mass, crowd.

Vulgātus, -a, -um, adj.: Common, ordinary, popular.

W

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