Event Details

Saturday, April 11, 2026

10AM - 2PM Central Time

Register by Thursday, April 9, 2026

Add to your calendar

Location

Online Webinar

About the Event

Enlarge

Some of the most challenging texts to decipher in the old German Kurrent script are personal documents, such as letters. Readers must not only learn unfamiliar characters but also adapt to individual handwriting styles, archaic vocabulary, varying literacy levels and—when it comes to content—a frequent lack of contextual information. Led by experts Mark L. Louden and Antje Petty, this workshop is designed for scholars, family historians, students, and anyone curious about Kurrent. Through presentations and practice exercises you will learn how to decipher individual characters, words, and simple texts, even if you do not speak German. We will also discuss common structures and phrases found in personal documents that can help you better understand their content.

Wisconsin Historical Society members receive a discount. Registration closes on April 9.

This workshop is cosponsored by the Friends of the Max Kade Institute and the Wisconsin Historical Society.