Genealogy Dictionary A  B  CD  E  F G H  I J  K L M N O P Q  R S T  U  VW  X  Y  Z   AB NEPOS-- ASHMAN Ab Nepos -- a great-great-grandson Administratrix -- a female administrator Ab Neptis -- a great-great-granddaughter Aegrotantem -- illness, sickness Abcpsia -- blindness Affidavit -- a written and signed statement sworn in front of a court officer Abeyance -- a condition of undetermined ownership, as of an estate that has not yet been assigned Ague -- recurring fever and chills of malaria Abstract -- a statement summarizing the essential facts contained in a document or record Ahnentafel -- a table of one's ancestors, from the German Ahnen (ancestor) and Tafel (table or list) Abtstract Book -- record books con- taining abstracts of the information con- tained on deeds or land entries, usually listed in alphabetical order by surname of the purchasers Amanuensis -- secretary or stenographer Accelerated -- an index prepared by computer, such as a census index Annus -- year Accomptant -- accountant Apoplexy -- stroke Action -- a proceeding in a court of law Archives -- reference to the storage of older records Administration -- management and settlement of an estate Artificer -- soldier mechanic who does repairs Administrator -- an appointee of the court who settles the estate of a deceased who died without leaving a will Ascendant -- ancestor Administrator's Bond -- a bond posted by an administrator to guarantee the proper performance of his duties Ashman -- shipman or sailor ASSIGNEE  BROWNSMITH Assignee -- the person to whom a privilege or some property is signed over to by the court Boluter -- a sieve Assignor -- the person who signs over a right or property to another Bond -- a written promise by a borrower to pay a lender a fixed dollar sum of interest for a prescribed period of time and to repay the principal on a stated date Assistant Marshall -- the census taker prior to 1880 Boniface -- innkeeper Bad Blood -- syphilis Borough -- a self-governing incorporated town, larger than a village Banns -- publication or posting of the announcement of a coming marriage, a period of time before the actual marriage to allow advance notice to those that might have reason to protest. In most churches the banns were read aloud on three successive Sundays. Bounty Land -- public land given by the government to induce young men to join the military Baptizavi -- I baptized Bounty Land Warrant -- a gift of bounty land due to a person entitled by military service, or to his heirs or assignees Barrister -- lawyer Brand Iron -- the cob irons or fire dogs which confine the brands on an open hearth Bequest -- legacy; usually a gift of real estate by will Brazier -- works with brass Bilious fever -- fever caused by liver disorder Bright's Disease -- kidney disease Black Death -- typhus Brightsmith -- metal worker Black Lung -- disease from breathing coal dust Brother -- a male sibling, can also be used to show close friendship Bloody Flux -- dysentery Brownsmith -- copper or brass smith BUNDLING --COAT OF ARMS  Bundling -- to sleep in the same bed while fully clothed, a practiced commonly by engaged couples in early New England Chaffer -- a chaffing dish Burnisher -- polishes or shines metal Chandler -- makes or sells candles; retailer of groceries Cadastral -- a public record, survey or map for tax purposes showing owner- ship and value of land Chattels -- personal property, both animate and inanimate Cals -- Certified American Lineage Specialist - a certification of competence in genealogy Chiffonier -- wigmaker Canon Law -- a law of the church Chilblain -- swelling of the extremities caused by exposure to cold Capitation Tax -- tax on people, also called a head tax or poll tax Chin Cough -- Whooping Cough Carner -- granary keeper Chorea -- disease characterized by convulsions and contortions Carter -- maker or driver of carts Circiter -- about Catarrh -- Inflammation of mucous membrane or cerebral hemmorage Civitate -- the city of Census -- periodic official tally of the population with details as to ages, sexes, occupations, etc., U.S. Federal censuses have been taken every 10 years since 1790. Clan -- a social unit in the Scottish High- lands, consisting of a number of families claiming a common ancestor and following the same hereditary leader Census Index -- alphabetical listing of names enumerated in a census Clarke -- cleric or scribe CG -- Certified Genealogist Coat of Arms -- shield with certain distinctive symbols or emblems painted on it in definite fixed colors identifying one person and his direct descendants   CODICIL -- CUI  Codicil -- a supplement to a will Conveyor -- grantor or seller Collateral Ancestor -- an ancestor not in the direct line of ascent, but of the same ancestral family Cooper -- makes and repairs barrels and casks Collier -- a coal miner or a coal ship Coppice Keeper -- one who takes care of small wood Colporteur -- peddler of books Cordwainer -- shoemaker Common Law -- a man and woman living together in a marital status without legal action. In some states living together for a specified period of time constitutes a legal marriage, even without benefit of legal action. Cousin -- In colonial usage, it most often meant nephew or niece. In the broadest sense, it could also mean any familial relationship, blood or otherwise (except mother, father, sister, or brother), or the modern-day meaning of a child of one's aunt or uncle. Modern usage includes qualifiers such as first, second, third, once removed, twice removed, etc. Congestive Fever -- Malaria Cramp Colic -- appendicitis Conjugi -- a husband, wife, or spouse Crayman -- driver of a cart carrying heavy loads Connubium -- marriage Cretinism -- congenital hypothyroidism Consanguinity -- blood relationship Crop Sickness -- overextended stomach Consumption -- Tuberculosis Croup -- laryngitis, diphtheria, or strep throat Convey -- transfer property or the title to property Crowner -- coroner Conveyance -- a written instrument that transfers title to property from one party to another Cui -- of whom, of whose, of whatever person, of what place/country   CULLER -- DORNIX Culler -- gelder of male animals Denizen -- a foreigner permitted certain rights of citizenship Currier -- tans leather; uses curry comb on horses Deposition -- a written testimony by a witness for use in court in his or her absence Curtesy -- the life tenure which by com- mon law is held by a man over the prop- erty of his deceased wife and has by her issue born alive who is capable of in- heriting her estate; in this case, on the death of his wife, he holds the lands for his life, as tenant by courtesy Descendant -- an immediate or remote offspring Cutler -- one who makes or sells knives, etc. Devise -- to transmit property by will Dareman -- dairyman Devisee -- one to whom a devise is made Decedent -- the deceased individual Die -- day Decem -- ten Diptheria -- contagious disease of the throat Declaration of Intention -- document filed by an alien in a court of record declaring his intention to apply for citizen- ship after fulfillment of the residency re- quirement. It may also be used to refer to an intent to marry, usually filed with the town clerk. Direct Heir -- one who is in an individual's direct line of ascent or descent Deed -- document signed, sealed, and delivered according to the law conveying title to real estate Distributee -- one entitled to a share in the estate of a person who died intestate (without a will) De Jure -- legal term for "by law" or "lawfully" Diviner -- one who finds water under the ground Delirium Tremens -- hallucinations due to alcoholism Domo -- to master or subdue a home, residence, or family formerly much used for church vestments, altar hangings, etc. Demography -- the study of the character -istics of human populations, such as size, growth, density, distribution and vital statistics Dornix -- linsey wolsey; also a heavy damask linen having a diaper figure (flowered or figured)     DOWAGER -- ENUMERATION Dowager -- a widow who holds title or property derived from her dead husband Dysentery -- Inflammation of intestinal membrane Dower -- the part of interest of a deceased man's real estate alloted by law to his widow Dyspepsia -- Acid indigestion Dowry -- property a bride brings to her husband for the duration of a marriage D.S.P. -- died sine prole - died without offspring Dowser -- finds water under the ground Eadem -- same Draper -- dealer in cloth and dry goods Eam -- she Drayman -- drives a cart carrying heavy loads Ecclescia -- church Dresser -- surgeon's assistant in a hospital Ego -- I Dropsy -- edema, congestive heart failure Ejus -- he Dropsy of the Brain -- encephalitis Ejusdem -- of the same Drover -- drives animals to market; dealer in cattle Encephalitis -- swelling of the brain, aka sleeping sickness Drummer -- traveling salesman Enteritis -- inflammation of the bowels Duffer -- peddler Enumeration -- process by which persons are counted for purposes of a census   ENUMERATOR -- FREEBORN Enumerator -- census taker Fatty Liver -- cirrhosis Et -- and - both Fee Simple -- estate of land which the inheritor has unqualified ownership and power of disposition Eodem -- to the same place/person/day Filiam -- daughter Episcopus -- bishop Filium -- son Escheat -- property reverted to the state when no legal heirs or claimants exist Final Papers -- petition for citizenship with supporting documentation filed by an alien in a court of law Est --is Firelands -- a tract of land in northeastern Ohio reserved by Connecticut for its own settlers when it ceded its western lands in 1786. The State of Connecticut deeded land there to its citizens whose homes were burned during the Revolutionary War, therefore, the terrirory became known as "fire land." Estate -- the whole of one's possessions; especially all the property left by a de- ceased person First Papers -- declaration of intention filed by an alien in a court of law Etiam -- also, besides, again Fletcher -- makes bows and arrows Et Ux, Et Uxor -- and wife Flux -- discharge of fluid from the body Ex -- from Forebear -- an ancestor, a forefather Executor --the person named in a will to carry out the provisions of the will Fortnight -- 14 days Executrix -- a female executor Framar -- farmer Farrier -- horse doctor, blacksmith who shoes horses Freeborn -- born as a free person   FREEDMAN -- HIND Freedman/woman -- a man or woman who has been freed from bondage or slaver Grecher -- grocer Freeholder -- one who holds land by fee simple. In colonial times, a freeholder had the right to vote and hold public office. Green Sickness -- Anemia Freeman -- one who held the full rights of citizenship, such as voting and engaging in business (as opposed to an indentured servant) Gregorian Calendar -- the calendar in use today. Pope Gregory XIII ordered the replacement of the previous Julian Calendar in 1582, although it was not adopted by England and the American Colonies until 1752. Friends -- correctly called "The Society of Friends", the correct term for the Quakers Gripe -- Influenza Fuere -- were Guardian -- an appointee of the court who cares for the property and rights of a minor or someone incapable of handling his or her own affairs Fuller -- cleans and thickens cloth Guilder -- makes gold or silver coins Gaoler -- jailer Gutte -- gutter or drain pipe Galloping Consumption -- Pulmonary Tuberculosis Haeretica -- heretical Gentile -- a person who is not Jewish Hansard -- weapon maker of seller Gentleman -- a member of the gentry, a descendant from an aristocratic family whose income came from the rental of his land Hawker -- peddler Ginerr -- joiner Headborough -- constable Glandular Fever -- mononucleosis Headright -- right to a certain number of acres (usually 50) of land guaranteed in advance for each settler in a new territory Glover -- dealer or maker of gloves Head Tax -- tax on people, also called a poll tax or capitation tax Godfather -- a man or woman who sponsors a child at baptism, also called a Godparent Heir -- a person who inherits, or is entitled by law to inherit, the estate of another Goodman -- a solid member of the community who ranked above a freeman but below a gentleman on the social scale Hereditaments -- property that can be inherited Goods and Chattels -- personal property, as distinguished from real property Heraldry -- the practice of devising, blazoning, and granting armoral insignia (coats of arms) Goodwife -- a woman married to a "gentlman." Often the title was shortened to "Goody." If you come across names such as Goody Cook or Goody Loomis, they are not first names but the abbrev- iation of a title Hibernia -- Ireland Grant -- to transfer property by a deed High Sheriff -- the highest ranking sheriff, as opposed to deputy sheriffs. This term was popular in England and Colonial America. Grantee -- one to whom a grant is made Hillard/Hiller -- one who covers houses with slate Grantee Index -- index to grantees of deeds recorded in a deed book Hind -- farm laborer   HOLOGRAPHIC WILL -- LARDNER Holographic Will -- a document written entirely by the hand of the person whose signature it bears Inqus -- repeat, maintain Hostler -- takes care of horses at an inn Ipsius -- in person, of own accord Huc -- here, to this place Instrument -- a formal document such as a deed or a will Huckster -- sells small articles Intestate -- having no legal will; not disposed of by legal will Hujus -- of this Inventory -- a list of goods in the estate of a deceased person Hujusidem -- of this month and year Ironmonger -- dealer in iron goods Husbandman -- a person whose occupation is in husbandry; a farmer Issue -- offspring or children Hutch -- a chest, box coffer, or bin Jail Fever -- typhus Immens -- to be near Jaundice -- condition caused by blockage of the intestines Imminens -- eminent, immediate Journeyman -- craftsman hired day by day Impositum -- the name bestowed Julian Calendar -- the calendar in use prior to 1752 (see Gregorian Calendar), created by Julius Caesar Impressment -- the act of seizing people or property for public service or use Junior, Senior -- these terms were used in early times to differentiate between men (and sometimes women) with the same name whether they were related or not. These titles were not permanent, but rather conveniences in colonial families and communities. Indenture -- a deed, contract, or sealed agreement executed between two or more parties; a contract by which a person is bound over for services Keeler -- a cooler, a broad shallow wooden vessel, where milk was set to cream or wait to cool Indentured Servant -- one who was voluntarily or involuntarily committed to working for someone for a fixed number of years (usually 4 to 7) in exchange for passage to America or some other financial advantage (i.e., learning a trade). An indentured servant had few, if any, rights, but people without skills or money accepted this position in order to emigrate. After the period of work was over, the servant usually became a freeman. It was also common practice for parents to indenture their children with the intent of having their child learn a trade or craft. Keller -- salt keeper Infant -- a minor Kellogg -- slaughter man Infantem -- child Kilderkin -- a small vessel, the eighth part of a tun or vat Infantile Paralysis -- polio Kindred -- a group of blood-related persons Infra -- down, below Kith and Kin -- friends and neighbors In-Law -- colonists used this term for any familial relationship that occurred from a marriage. Thus, a woman's father-in-law could be her husband's father or her stepfather. Her son-in-law could be her daughter's husband or her own stepson. Lands and Tenements -- real property, as opposed to personal property Inprimis -- in the first place Lardner -- official in charge of pig food     LEGACY -- OB Legacy -- money or property bequeathed to someone by will Mortaility Schedule -- the enumeration of deaths during the 12 months preceding census day, Mortality Schedules were included in the U.S. Census from 1850 - 1900 (1890 and 1900 schedules have been destroyed) Lineal Descendant -- being in the direct line of descent from an ancestor Mortis -- death Lock Jaw -- tetanus Mr. -- a title that could only precede the names of gentlemen, clergymen, or government officials Loco -- to place, establish, give in marriage Mrs. -- a feminine equivalent of Mr., it did not denote marital status, but social position (women of the aristocracy) Locus -- place Mulierem -- woman Loyalist -- a Tory (person who remained loyal to England during the Revolutionary War) who later moved to Canada or to another British possession Myelitis -- inflammation of the spine Lung Fever -- pneumonia Myocarditits -- inflammation of the heart muscles Lung Sickness -- tuberculosis Natum -- born Malster -- brewer of malted beverages (beer) Naturalize -- to grant full citizenship to one of foreign birth Mania -- insanity Necrology -- register book of deaths Manumission -- a formal written act to free slaves Necrosis -- mortification of bones or tissue Marriage Bond -- a document executed to guarantee that no legal or moral impediments existed to an intended marriage Nepritis -- inflammation of the kidneys Master -- today would be known as The Captain Nuncupative Will -- an oral will declared by the deceased before dying, in the presence of witnesses Mayer -- physician Notary -- a person officially authorized to draw up or attest to contracts, wills, deeds, or similar documents Mensis -- month Novem -- nine Miasma -- poisonous vapors thought to infect the air Now Wife -- exclusively found in wills, this term implied that there was a former (or ex-) wife Milk Sickness -- disease from the milk from cattle which had eaten poisonous weeds Nupr -A -AE -- bride, wife Millwright -- one who designs or builds mills Nuber Huc Adventis -- recently arrived here Mockadow -- moccado - stuff made of wood and silk and apparently a mixture of either with flax, a substitute for more expensive velvet Oath of Abjuration -- sworn statement renouncing a former allegiance Morsal -- Gangrene Ob -- before, in front of, because of, on account of   OBIT -- PROGENY Obit -- died Personal Property -- property other than land Octo -- eight Per Stirpes -- a method of dividing an estate so that children act as a group, rather than individually, taking what their deceased ancestor was entitled to Oppido -- town Pleurisy -- Inflammation of the lung Ordinary -- public house or tavern Podagra -- gout Osler -- bird catcher Population Schedule -- a completed population census questionnaire Outrider -- mounted attendant riding before or behind a carriage Posthumous -- born after father's death Packman -- itinerant peddler Porcher -- pig keeper Paleography -- the study of ancient forms of writing Porter -- gate-keeper or door-keeper Palatinate -- the area west of the Rhine River in West Germany Pott's Disease -- tuberculosis of the spinal vertebrae Palsy -- paralysis or loss of muscle control Pox -- Syphilis Parochus -- rector, pastor Praecende -- previous, preceeding Paroxysm -- convulsion Prae -- in front, before, through Patritius -- paternal Pridie/Priede -- the previous day Patronymic -- a name derived from a paternal ancestor, such as "Johnson, the son of John" Primary Record -- a record created at the time of the event (birth, marriage, death, etc.) as opposed to records written years later Paucis Hebdomadibus -- a few weeks Primogenitor -- the earlies known ancestor or forefather Pedigree -- recorded ancestry or line of descent Primogeniture -- the right of the eldest child (especially the son) to inherit the estate of both parents Pedigree Chart -- a standard genealogical form for recording several generations of ancestry Probate -- legal establishment of the validity of a will Peel -- a long handled broad shovel used for putting bread into an oven Procurant -- stand instead of, proxy Peever -- pepper seller Procuratorem -- in behalf of Per -- for Progeny -- children   PROGENITOR -- TOLVET Progenitor -- an originator of a line of descent, frequently used in reference to the immigrant ancestor Sex -- six Purrell -- made of a lace called purl Ship's Fever -- Typhus Putrid Fever -- diptheria or typhus Sibling -- a brother or sister Quaker -- a member of the Society of Friends Softening of the Brain -- apoplexy Quarryman -- stonecutter Soundex -- a filing system, usually for recording surnames, using one letter followed by three numbers. The Soundex system keeps together names of the same and/or similar sounds, but of variant spellings. Quarta -- four Spotted Fever -- typhus, cerebrospinal meningitis fever Quearne -- a handmill for grinding grain or seed Spouse -- a husband or wife Qui -- who, whereby St. Vitus Dance -- Nervous twitches, chorea Quinque -- five Standard -- a chest; the upright stem or support of a lamp or candlestick Redemptioner -- a colonial emigrant from Europe to North America who paid for his voyage by serving as a bondservant for a specified period of time after arrival Stupuet -- a stew pan or skillet Relict -- widow, sometimes a widower Sutler -- accompanies troops in the field or garrison and sells food, drink, and supplies Revenuer -- federal officer enforcing the law against illegal manufacturing of whiskey Sweating Sickness -- infectious & fatal disease common to the UK in the 15th century Rickets -- disease of the skeletal system Taper -- candlewick maker or seller Rower -- builder of small wagon wheels Tarletan -- a thin, stiff, transparent muslin Sawyer -- sawer of wood Scrivener -- scribe or clerk Testament -- the disposition of one's personal property by will Scarlet Fever -- disease characterized by a red rash and sore Testate -- having made or left a valid will Screws -- Rheumatism Testator -- a man who died leaving a valid will Scrofula -- tuberculosis of the neck lymph nodes Testatrix -- a female who died leaving a valid will Secondary Record -- or secondary source; a record created some time after the event Thirdborough -- tithing man or deputy constable Septem -- seven Thoro -- marriage, union Sepulchered -- buried Tinker -- itinerant mender of kettles and pans Servus/A Servarum -- servant/servants Tithable -- person subject to a tax Sewer -- tailor or shoemaker Tolvet -- a measure, holding half a bushel TORY -- YELLOW JACKET Tory -- a resident of the American Colonies who remained loyal to England during the Revolutionary War (see Loyalist) Uxor -- wife, the married state Toxemia of Pregnancy -- eclampsia (high blood pressure & seizures) Venesection -- Bleeding Transientibus -- in transit form, traveling Vero -- certainly, to be sure Tres -- three Vincinitate -- neighboring area Tribus Mensibus -- three months Viper's Dance -- St. Vitus' Dance, chorea Tripper -- dancer Visitation -- a visit for the purpose of making an official inspection or examination. This term was used to describe census activities. Truckle Bed -- trundle bed with casters to run under a higher bed Vitner -- wine merchant Trug -- a basket with fixed handle like an old american woven wooden grape basker Wheelwright -- a person who builds wagon wheels Trustee -- a person or agent holding the legal title to property Whitcher -- maker of chests Tunnel -- a funnel Whitlow -- Boil Turnout -- an equippage, a carriage with horses, attendants, and equipment Will -- the legal document containing the statement of a person's wishes regarding the disposal of his or her property after death Ultimo -- last Winter Fever -- pneumonia Unus -- one Yellow Jacket -- Yellow Fever   If you didn't find it on this page, look in ABBREVIATIONS.  Still don't find it? E-mail and we'll find out!  Also any additions? Send them along via