SUTTERLIN TRANSCRIPTIONSTranscription+Translation Service of (Old German Scripts): Did you find a letter from your ancestors written in old German handwriting (Sütterlin, Kurrent)? Or are you doing genealogy and got stuck with the German parish registers? Old German texts are very hard to read if you are unfamiliar with the language and the script, but the texts can provide valuable information for genealogical and historical research.
We offer transcriptions and translations of old German documents (17th to 20th century), handwritten or printed. As a team of native speakers of German and linguists with over 25 years of experience in genealogy and linguistic transcriptions, we can reliably read and make sense of all old documents such as parish registers, registry offices, legal documents, letters from your ancestors and handwritten notes. We charge per page (maximum of 200 words), so the price is transparent.
Our team members speak multiple European and other languages. We can therefore offer you the extra service of translating these documents into your native languages. For a small additional fee, you will receive these translations proofread by at least three native speakers to ensure the best accuracy and translation quality. We can also assist you in your genealogical or historical research. In translating and transcribing your letters, diaries, deeds, documents, etc., absolute confidentiality is our greatest rule. Please see images of the examples of Sütterlin translations: letters, papers, poetry albums, Cookbooks etc
OUR PROCESS:
- So the first step is Old Script TRANSCRIPTION to Modern German
- The Second Step is Translation From Modern German or any European Language.
Many people cannot read old German handwriting. Even many native Germans cannot read these old scripts. There are many reasons for this. Even in Germany, as the old generations die out, getting people who can decipher these old scripts is increasingly difficult. However, there is no reason for Information to be lost or histories to be forgotten. With our professional and discreet services, you can regain what has been forgotten by past generations. We are happy to offer these SPECIAL services to our customers in need. Just drop us a message at and include a sample of the document. We will get back to you immediately.
Prices depend on the following:
- The font or script difficulty.
- The number of pages to be transcribed.
- Additional services (Historical context, summaries, translations).
- Basically, an exact price can only be evaluated when we see the copies of the documents in question.
Types of Documents We Transcribe
We will transcribe or translate any handwritten document you present us. However, the following documents are pretty common - personal letters, Memoirs, Family histories, Family business records, Government business records etc.
You may have no idea what type of document you have in your possession. If an ancestor left records behind, you might have no way of reading them— if they are in old German handwriting. Transcribing or translating old documents, even personal letters, can open a window into the past. It can give you insight into the life of the person who wrote them. It can provide key points in family histories, be a cornerstone in genealogical research, or even reveal unknown treasures and assets to the families.
The Information within these documents can provide insights as to how family businesses were run in the past, how family heirlooms came into possession, or give you an insider’s viewpoint of the past and the time of the Nazi regime or before. If you have old documents and you are curious about what they contain, look no further. We give an estimate for free. Just send us a sample of your documents, and let us know how many pages you have, and we will provide you with a quote.
Historical Background You Must Know:
The Difference Between Old German Writing and the New German Script
Before 1941, the standard German script used and taught was called the Sütterlin script. Before that, government officials used a script called Fraktur. Since 1941, neither of these scripts has been used consistently, and eventually, the use of these scripts completely died out.
In 1941, the Nazi regime ordered that Sütterlin Script would no longer be taught in schools. A new contemporary German script took its place instead. There is much speculation on why the regime took this measure: Some believe, it was mandated following the high hopes of the government to conquer other countries, and they wanted, in advance, a script that would be easy to read and understood by others and eventually, the new script was introduced in schools. Even after the Nazi regime fell, the new writing was still taught, and Sütterlin got lost to the younger generations. This has led to the younger generation's inability to decipher the Sütterlin script. Many documents in possession of present generations may need urgent decoding before they get lost. We can help. The transcription or translation will never be given to a third party outside our team.