Scandinavian Family Research Services
Transcription & Translation
Old family documents can hold stories that have been waiting for generations to be understood
I provide transcription and English translation of historical documents written in Danish, Norwegian, and Swedish, from family letters and postcards to church records, probate documents, and other genealogical sources.
Older handwriting, unfamiliar words, historical terminology, and changes in language can make a treasured family document difficult to understand. My background in Scandinavian languages, historical records, and genealogy allows me to interpret the document within the context in which it was created—not simply translate the words on the page.
Documents I can help you understand
Letters & Postcards
Family correspondance, postcards, notes, and other personal writings.
Church Records
Christening, confirmation, marriage, burial, membership, and other parish records.
Probate & Court Records
Probate proceedings, estate records, guardianships, court documents, and related material.
Farm & Local Histories
Farm books, local histories,
family histories, and biographical material.
Historical Records
Census entries, military records, land records, tax records, and other genealogical sources.
Difficult Handwriting & Notes
Marginal notes, annotations, older handwriting, abbreviations, and passages difficult to decipher.
More than translating words
Historical documents often require more than knowing the language. A careful transcription preserves the structure and punctuation of the original, while a thoughtful translation seeks to preserve not only its meaning, but also the writer's voice and the language of the time. Understanding the document may also depend on recognizing the handwriting and interpreting its historical and genealogical context.
Deciphering the handwriting
Older handwriting, faded text, abbreviations, spelling variations, and notes squeezed into margins can make familiar words difficult to recognize.
Preserving the writer's voice
I stay as close as possible to the original sentence structure and punctuation while creating a readable English translation. Word choices also matter: when possible, I choose English words that reflect the writer's tone and the period in which the document was written rather than replacing them with modern equivalents.
Understanding the context
Names, occupations, relationships, farm names, place names, and record terminology can carry genealogical meaning beyond their literal translation. My research experience helps me recognize and explain those clues when they matter.
How translation works
1.
Send me your
document
Share a clear scan or photograph of the document and tell me what you know about it and what you would like translated.
2.
Review &
confirm the
scope
I’ll assess the language, handwriting, length, and complexity of the document and provide an estimate of the number of hours needed to complete the work.
3.
Transcription &
translation
I’ll carefully transcribe the original text and translate it into English, preserving the structure, punctuation, historical language, and writer’s voice as closely as possible.
4.
Receive your
completed
work
You’ll receive the transcription and translation in the agreed-upon format, along with relevant notes or explanations.
What you'll receive
A translation should help you understand the document while preserving a connection to the original.
Depending on the document and your needs, your completed translation may include:
Transcription
A typed transcription of the original Danish, Norwegian, or Swedish text that preserves the wording, sentence structure, and punctuation as closely as the document allows.
English translation
A faithful English translation that stays as close as possible to the original sentence structure and punctuation while preserving the author's tone, word choices, and period language whenever possible.
Transcription and translation together
When possible, the original-language transcription and English translation will be presented side by side, making it easy to compare the two.
Notes and explanations
When helpful, I include notes about difficult handwriting, abbreviations, unfamiliar terminology, place names, or other details that need additional explanation.
Genealogical context
When a document contains information that may be significant to your family history, I can point out relationships, locations, names, or other clues that may warrant further research.
“She provided me with a typed version of the documents, with the translated text side by side with a typed copy of the original Norwegian. … Through her services I have a more full understanding of my Norwegian ancestors.”
Lauren Rogers