Kurrent alphabet
A compact reference to Kurrent letter forms for reading historical texts.
Kurrent alphabet
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For history enthusiasts
Explore history through the handwriting people left behind.
An old letter, a diary page, a handwritten note: history survives in individual people's words as well as in accounts of major events. Learn to read and write Kurrent with Spitzfeder and explore a writing tradition behind historical German documents.
Go beyond reading an account of the past
You might be interested in a particular period, a place or everyday life in earlier generations. Historical handwriting offers another way to explore those interests.
Learning the script gives you another way to examine a source. Which words are on the page? How were they written? What can they tell you about everyday life? Kurrent turns the handwriting itself into something you can explore.
From a letter form to a historical question
Spitzfeder combines script practice with historical context. Learn letter forms, read words and work through exercises based on historical sources.
- Read and match: Become familiar with the unfamiliar forms.
- Explore sources: Practise deciphering historical documents.
- Learn about the past: Discover background on Kurrent and the history of German monuments.
- Listen and read: Follow stories set in the Kurrent era while reading in the script.
A writing tradition you can try yourself
Kurrent is not only something to look at. Letter animations, tracing and writing exercises let you explore how its forms are made.
The guided path contains 12 lessons and 181 stations, combining active practice with reading and background activities. If you prefer paper, print the workbook included in the app and use the app's workbook mode alongside it.
Free materials
An alphabet and practice paper to get started
A letter reference and lined paper make the distinctive forms of Kurrent easier to see and understand.
Lined paper
Generously spaced lines give handwriting practice a clear, comfortable structure.
Lined paper
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The workbook with the app exercises is included free with your purchase of Spitzfeder.
Good to know
Before your first lesson
Is this only for genealogy?
No. You can explore Kurrent because you enjoy history, manuscripts or writing traditions. You do not need family papers to begin.
Do I need previous Kurrent knowledge?
No. The learning path begins with letter forms and introduces reading and writing exercises step by step.
Are the texts in English?
The interface and learning introductions are available in English. Exercise words, historical reading texts and audio remain in German. Recognising the handwriting and understanding the language are separate tasks; you may need German vocabulary support.
Which exercises connect handwriting with history?
Source exercises let you practise deciphering historical documents. Lessons, monument activities and stories add background on Kurrent and the era in which it was used.
What equipment do I need?
Use an iPhone, iPad or Android phone or tablet. Finger mode and paper practice are available without a digital stylus. Pressure-sensitive writing needs a supported tablet and compatible active stylus. The workbook is included in the purchased app.
Start with a first exercise
Discover the past in the handwriting as well as the words
Start with a letter form and practise a skill that helps you look more closely at historical German manuscripts.