What is Gretchen short for?
In old records, Gretchen is usually short for Margaret. It can also stand for Margaretha. You will find it in German-immigrant and American records, chiefly 1800s-1900s. The Gretchen-to-Margaret jump is easy to miss, so it is worth searching both when you hit a dead end.
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FAQs
Does Gretchen always mean Margaret?+
Not always. Gretchen most often stands for Margaret, but it also appears for Margaretha. Confirm against the actual record before you rely on it.
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