HUNGARY-L Archives

Archiver > HUNGARY > 2003-11 > 1068182302


From: Judy Mann <>
Subject: Re: [HUNGARY-L] Using a researcher
Date: Fri, 7 Nov 2003 00:18:35 -0500 (EST)
In-Reply-To: <010f01c3a4ae$be002090$67243644@evc>


"Elizabeth V. Cardinal" wrote:">> wrote:

< Snip> Of course not being familiar with the Hungarian language hasn't helped. <snip>



Elizabeth, I'm thrilled for you regarding your recent success. I'm also glad you've shared your experience with us. Those of us visiting our FHC on a weekly or monthly basis sometimes feel we are just plugging along, but when we look back over months or the past year, we do realize just how far we've come. I'd just like to address the above statement about the Hungarian language so it isn't taken out of context by some of our readers. In reading your messages I realize reading Hungarian would help translate various e-mails, letters and websites you've received, so my comment isn't meant to offend anyone.



For anyone on the list who has not yet taken on the task of viewing the LDS Hungarian microfilms, please don't let Elizabeth's statement about not speaking the language deter you at all. I've been viewing the microfilms for 5 years and have made GREAT progress on both my grandfather's and grandmother's sides of the family. I DO NOT SPEAK ONE WORD OF HUNGARIAN. I can now recognize a few dozen words to read. Yes, it would be great to know Hungarian to view the records but it's not necessary.



When I first searched the LDS online catalogue I quickly made myself familiar with the words for baptisms, burials and marriages so I could order the correct films.



Thanks to a suggestion made by someone on this list, by the time the first film arrived I had found out what the headings in the record books were so I knew what the various columns were for - some are self explanatory. In actual fact you are scanning the pages for YOUR family surname that you already know - just be ready for several variations in the spellings. Sometimes there are comments written in the observation column which can be challenging, but our various list members are wonderful at helping out with those too.



By taking a simple Hungarian word list of genealogy words such as the one free to download from the LDS website helps immensely. In fact Latin is also used so the LDS Latin word list is very helpful as well as many found online to print. I will admit the civil registration records after 1895 are very challenging and time consuming.



The point I'm trying to make, DON'T let the language be a barrier and make you think you must hire a researcher who speaks/reads Hungarian to research the LDS microfilms. It's an experience, yes, but the real challenge is transcribing the handwriting - and there are guides for that as well and eventually it becomes easier. I encourage anyone who hasn't viewed the films to give it a try. If you run into problems, ask on this list or feel free to send me a message directly and Ill be glad to help out if I can.



Please don't get me wrong, in no way am I suggesting taking away the business from researchers. Not at all. I understand the reason Elizabeth hired one and I've come to a very frustrating situation in my research where I'm ready to hire one myself.




Judy



---------------------------------
Post your free ad now! Yahoo! Canada Personals

This thread: