Ww.

Ww. saves the writer from spelling out Witwe or Witwer. After a woman's name it means widow, and after a man's name it means widower. Longer forms make the sex clear: Wwe. for Witwe and Wwer. for Witwer.

The same letters have modern meanings too, such as Warmwasser (hot water), so in a recent document check the context. In a church book or civil register next to a name, it is almost always widow or widower.