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Old Photographs, Recognition, Handwriting Deciphering => Handwriting Deciphering & Recognition => Topic started by: Newwriter on Wednesday 14 May 25 11:30 BST (UK)
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Hi Folks,
After many years I have finally managed to track down the birth records for an ancestor which subsequent censuses showed was born in Belgium. She and her brother were born in Ghent, where the brother died very young. I have copies of the Belgian records but I do not have translations. This is a long shot but if anyone does speak Belgian / Flemish I would be very grateful if they would be prepared to have a go at translating my documents.
Thanks for looking.
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I will have a try, bearing in mind Flemish underwent a spelling tidy up in the Flemish Revival time ,lots of “superfluous “ letters pruned out.
Have I your permission to pass it to my son who is still fluent if I don’t cope with the old spelling?
Viktoria.
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I'm also happy to help if you still need it
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Belgian is not a language, so I doubt you'll find any Belgian speaker in the galaxy ;D
We have 3 languages in Belgium: Dutch, French and German. Our Dutch is slightly different to that spoken in the Netherlands, but it's the same language. Some call it Flemish.
If you have trouble with Dutch or French documents, post them here and you'll get your translation.
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Viktoria and Decor, thank you so much for your kind offers of help.
I will try and attach the three documents to this reply but I have never done an attachment before so fingers crossed.
Yes Viktoria please feel free to send them to anyone who can help.
Zefiro, thank you for pointing that out. I did correct myself in the body of the text but forgot to change the title.
Thanks again everyone.
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first one:
1838, 27 August, 4.45pm appeared before the Mayor of Gent:
William Humphreys, 30 years old, bleacher of wool, living in Sint-Joris Straat
reported the birth of a baby girl, born 25 August at 10 pm, of him and his wife Elisabeth Davies, 23 years old, name of the newborn is Elisabeth
witnesses: Petrus Holcius, 48 years old, blacksmith, living in Brusselsestraat
&
Richardus Williams, 28 years old, textile worker attending the yarn, living in Roode Tooren Straat
signed by the father and the second witness, the first witness declared not being able to write
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second one:
1837, 3 July, 3.30 pm appeared:
William Humphreys, 29 years old, textile worker (an old Dutch word is written, namely 'dresser', but I'm not sure what it meant back then), living in Roode Tooren Straat
reported the birth of a baby boy, born 2 July at 11 am, of him and his wife Elisabeth Davies, 22 years old, name of the newborn is William
witnesses: Petrus Staelens, 43 years old, mechanic of some sort, living in het Oud Kasteel
&
Joannes Wante, 24 years old, furniture maker, living in Palingstraat
signed by the father and both witnesses
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third one:
1837, 24 July, 10 am appeared:
William Humphreys, 29 years old, textile worker & Petrus Huybrechts, 33 years old, baker
both living in Roode Tooren Straat
reported the death of William Humphreys, son of William Humphreys and his wife Elisabeth Davies, on 23 July at 9 pm, aged 22 days
signed by father and witness
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second one:
1837, 3 July, 3.30 pm appeared:
William Humphreys, 29 years old, textile worker (an old Dutch word is written, namely 'dresser', but I'm not sure what it meant back then),
From:
https://www.familyresearcher.co.uk/glossary/Dictionary-of-Old-Occupations-index.html
Cloth Dresser: skilled workers in the textile industry who cut woollen cloth with huge shears when it was ready to leave the mill, or sheared the nap from it.
it's a UK site but hopefully the same holds true.
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Well done, I could make out quite a bit but much escaped me .
Viktoria.
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Thank you so much everyone. Especially thank you Zefiro. I am really grateful. And thank you Viktoria for trying. And also thank you Goldie61 for your help to.