I’ve received some transcripts of 19th century German church records, and although I’m relatively confident I’ve managed to translate everything there is one abbreviation where I’m unsure what the actual word should be.
On a baptism for an illegitimate daughter:
Legitimate? daughter of villager Gottlieb Ruschke
Am I right about “ehel. ält.” meaning “legitimate”? And in either case, what does “ält.” stand for?
Looks like information form a genealogical table.
“ehel.” is in this case an abbreviation for “ehelich” = legitimate, born in marriage. In other circumstances, it can also mean “ehelos” = single, unmarried.
“ält.” stands for “ältere” or “älteste” = elder or eldest.
“Einwohner” = resident, inhabitant, citizen; villager can also be correct, “Einwohner” is a pretty unspecific term that might refer to villagers as well as townsmen. You can also say “Einwohner Deutschlands” which encompasses every person whose principal residence is located within Germany.
“Dweller” is probably the best English equivalent. Are these records from Prussia?
Yes. From the parish of Daubitz in Siliesia. In the part that’s still in Germany, albeit now a part of Saxony.
My ancestor is referred to as Häusler or Einwohner in the records I’ve recieved.