Guide
Translating old family letters into English
Letters from relatives in another country are often doubly locked: an unfamiliar language in an unfamiliar script. The reliable route is two separate steps — transcribe in the original language, then translate — so every word of the translation can be traced back to the page.
Why transcribe before you translate
Translating straight from a photograph hides the guesswork. If the translation says “the garden is blooming”, you can’t tell whether the reader was sure of the word or filled a gap. A transcription in the original language shows exactly what was read, so the translation can be checked, corrected and re-done later.
Transcription (German)
Bremen, den 3. Mai 1908
Liebe Marie!
Wir sind alle gesund und denken oft an Euch. Der Garten blüht schon schön.
Herzlich, Deine Liese
Modern German
Liebe Marie, uns geht es allen gut und wir denken oft an euch. Der Garten blüht schon schön.
English translation
Dear Marie, we are all well and think of you often. The garden is already blooming beautifully.
What makes old letters hard to translate
- Scripts. German letters before the mid-twentieth century were often written in Kurrent or the school script Sütterlin, whose letters look nothing like modern cursive. Yiddish is written in Hebrew letters.
- Old spelling. Spelling reforms changed many words; older forms such as “thun” for “tun” are normal, not mistakes.
- Dialect and family words. Letters home are full of regional words, nicknames and private jokes.
- Place names. Towns may have changed name or country since the letter was written. Keep the name as written and note the modern one separately.
How to check a translation
- Compare names, dates and places in the translation with the transcription — they should match exactly.
- Look for sentences that sound too smooth around words the transcription marks as uncertain.
- Ask a relative or a genealogy community that reads the language about any passage that matters.
- Correct the transcription first; the translation should follow from it.
Reading English letters too? See old cursive letterforms and abbreviations.
Honest limits
Translations are produced into English only, and only when the letter is not already in English. Accuracy depends on the script and the state of the page. Heirloom does not certify translations, and they should not be used where an official or sworn translation is required.
Questions
- Which languages can Heirloom read?
- You can choose a language hint such as German, French, Spanish, Italian, Dutch, Polish, Swedish or Yiddish, or let it detect the language. Quality varies by script, condition and language, so check the original, especially names and places.
- Can it read Kurrent or Sütterlin?
- It will attempt German letters in these scripts, but they are among the hardest material there is. Expect more uncertain words, and consider confirming important passages with someone who reads the script.
- Is the translation word for word?
- No. It is a readable English version of the letter’s meaning. The transcription in the original language is the record; use it when a precise wording matters.
- Should I use a professional translator?
- For legal, property or citizenship documents, yes. For getting to know a family letter, an AI reading checked against the original is often a good start, and makes a professional’s job quicker if you need one later.