Names of months II

While we are on the topic of month names, let us discuss one other pitfall on this topic. Months have many nicknames, usually related to farming. You are unlikely to see them in genealogical records, and most nicknames are long forgotten. But some of these ancient, almost forgotten nicknames became the official names for the Dutch months in 1809. That did not last long: In 1810 Holland became a part of the French empire of Napoleon and French became the official language, and when The Netherlands regained their independence a few years later, the old names were restored. In records for the years 1809-1810 you will encounter the following names for months: Louwmaand (January), Sprokkelmaand (February), Lentemaand (March), Grasmaand (April), Bloeimaand (May), Zomermaand (June), Hooimaand (July), Oogstmaand (August), Herfstmaand (September), Wijnmaand (October), Slachtmaand (November), and Wintermaand (December).