What Did They Do? In Danish, by John E. Herl is perhaps more like an extensive glossary than anything else. In the words of the author, “this book is a compendium of English translations and explanations of ancient & modern Danish names of occupations, officials and descriptions for family historians.” But, the book is fun. The book simply gives the Danish word for many occupations and anywhere from a one word translations to a paragraph describing the person or position.
In browsing through this book, I found some of the translations both unique and entertaining. Møller, for example, means miller. A nice simple English translation. But then the list goes on. Mølledreng is a boy who works in a mill. I cannot think of a specific name in old or modern English for a boy who works in a mill. Perhaps, that is why the author required a sentence instead of a one word translation. A Møllebygger is a mill buider, a Mølleejer is a mill owner, especially one who owned more than one mill, and a Møllesvend is a journeyman miller. Clearly, mills were of some importance in Denmark to have so many specific job titles for those associated with mills. All English got was the miller.
Reading through the list provided not only some entertainment, but also the recognition that our ancestors led very different lives, at least in some aspects. When it comes to careers and occupations, and you need a Danish/English translations for your research, look no further than What Did They Do? In Danish. You might even have a little fun with your work.
Table of Contents
Source Materials
Preface
Vocabulary
- Danish & Norwegian Languages
- Foreign Letters
- Unique Danish Letters
Additional Guidelines
What Did They Do
- Occupations Starting with A
- Occupations Starting with B
- Occupations Starting with C
- Occupations Starting with D
- Occupations Starting with E
- Occupations Starting with F
- Occupations Starting with G
- Occupations Starting with H
- Occupations Starting with I
- Occupations Starting with J
- Occupations Starting with K
- Occupations Starting with L
- Occupations Starting with M
- Occupations Starting with N
- Occupations Starting with O
- Occupations Starting with P
- Occupations Starting with R
- Occupations Starting with S
- Occupations Starting with T
- Occupations Starting with U
- Occupations Starting with V
- Occupations Starting with W-X-Z
- Occupations Starting with Æ-Ø
Get your own copy of What Did They Do? In Danish… from Family Roots Publishing; Item #: HV05
Danes had a lot more terms than I ever heard of for miller, but English has a few mill-related occupations: Millwright was originally the word in English for “mill builder”, although the modern meaning has changed a good bit. Milleress: Miller’s Wife. Miller’s Carman: drove carrier to deliver the flour or seed to the customers. Millpeck: sharpener of mill stones. Millies: Nick-name for textile mill workers. Milner: Mill worker. Mouterer: Miller receiving a fee for grinding corn. Piecer: Piecers in mills, often children, had to lean over spinning-machines to repair broken threads. Pickermaker: Mill worker who made the “pickers” – leather attachments which drove a shuttle across a weaving loom. Pirn Winder: Mill worker who threaded yarn on weaving looms. Baler: Factory or mill worker who made up cloth into bales. Feeder: Millworker who kept the mill machines supplied with material . Millow, Molendinarius: synomyms. …and many more. Seems like there are dozens of textile mill occupations
Hi, I am making a blog about how to do Danish Family History Step by Step without speaking Danish. Professions are actually the hardest thing for me to decipher on Danish records. I would like to have your book but it is out of stock. An online version would be great. Could I link something like this to my blog? mydanishancestors.com
Thanks.
Rosie,
The What Did They Do? in Danish volume is now back in stock. There is no electronic version of this volume. I just spent some time on your site, My Danish Ancestors. It’s great – a wonderful addition to our online resources.