|
|
|
Translating Latin Church Records: Marriages
by Melody Lassalle
It's inevitable! Sooner or later you are going to need to look at church records. Chances are they will be in Latin. And, you never thought those Latin word origins in High School would come in handy! It's important to know the key words and phrases so that you can find the important details about your ancestor. The more familiar you are with translating records, the easier your job will be.
To get you started, let's take a look at a typical church marriage record. This example comes from the record books of a Hawaiian Catholic Church. I've numbered each section to make it easier to follow.
Kilauea
1) Anno Domini N.J. Chr. mill. octing. nonag. quinto, die vicerimo secundo Sti. Sylvestri in Kilauea, ego infrascriptus:
2) Theodorum Pacheco unum de viginti annos ex. Jacintho Pacheco et Anna Pacheco natum in insula San Miguel, paroch. Feteira, et in Kilauea, morantem; et
3) Mariam d'Espirito Santo Dobrada unum de viginti annos ex Josuima Dobrada et Maria da Conceicao, natum in insula San Miguel, paroch. Maia Agua d'Esp. S.; et in. Kilauea commorantum interrogari; et corum mutuo consensu per verba da praesenti in Matrimonium conjunsci, praesentibus testibus:
4) Anton Pacheco et Joao Cosma
Hanamaulu, 23 Dec. 1895
Fr. Emeran Schulte
The record translates as follows:
1) In the year of our Lord Jesus Christ, 1895, 22nd day in the church of St. Sylvester in Kilauea, I record the following:
2) that Theodorum Pacheco, being 20 years old, son of Jacintho Pacheco and Anna Pacheco, born on the island of Sao Miguel, in the parish of Feteira, and living in Kilauea; and
3) Maria d'Espirito Santo Dobrada, being 20 years old, daughter of Josuima Dobrada and Maria da Conceicao, born on the island of Sao Miguel, in the parish of Maia, Agua d'Espirito Santo; were joined in the bonds of Matrimony by their mutual consent made in my presence and testified by the following:
4) Anton Pacheco and Joao Cosma Hanamaulu, 23 Dec. 1895 Fr. Emeran Schulte Notice that the names are in their Latin form, i.e. Theodoro is shown as Theodorum; Jozimas is shown as Josuima; and Maria is shown as Mariam. Always note these variant forms. You will probably find the name recorded exactly the same in the Hawaii State records. Most likely the couple received this certificate from the church, then took it to the state official who recorded the information as seen. At the turn of the century, many of the Portuguese in Hawaii could not read or write. When the Official copied the Latin names, there was no one who could read the information to question it.
It's important to realize that Church officials make errors too. People are often listed as being born in Ponta Delgada despite never having lived there. Names also get confused. The surname Dobrada shown above was really de Braga. Always confirm the information found in church records with other sources.
Additional Resources
Latin Genealogical Word List:
http://www.cimorelli.com/pie/faq/lat_eng.htm
Thanks to J. Medeiros for his help with the translation of this record.
upd. 4/04/02 © 2002 Melody Lassalle
Return to the islandroutes.com home page