The Family Tree German Genealogy Guide: How to Trace Your Germanic Ancestry in Europe

The Family Tree German Genealogy Guide: How to Trace Your Germanic Ancestry in Europe

by James M. Beidler
The Family Tree German Genealogy Guide: How to Trace Your Germanic Ancestry in Europe

The Family Tree German Genealogy Guide: How to Trace Your Germanic Ancestry in Europe

by James M. Beidler

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Overview

Explore Your German Ancestry!

Follow your family tree back to its roots in Bavaria, Baden, Prussia, Hesse, Saxony, Wurttemburg and beyond. This in-depth genealogy guide will walk you step by step through the exciting journey of researching your German heritage, whether your ancestors came from lands now in modern-day Germany or other German-speaking areas of Europe, including Austria, Switzerland, and enclaves across Eastern Europe.

In this book, you'll learn how to:

 • Retrace your German immigrant ancestors' voyage from Europe to America.
 • Pinpoint the precise place in Europe your ancestors came from.
 • Uncover birth, marriage, death, church, census, court, military, and other records documenting your ancestors' lives.
 • Access German records of your family from your own hometown.
 • Decipher German-language records, including unfamiliar German script.
 • Understand German names and naming patterns that offer research clues.
You'll also find maps, timelines, sample records and resource lists throughout the book for quick and easy reference. Whether you're just beginning your family tree or a longtime genealogy researcher, the Family Tree German Genealogy Guide will help you conquer the unique challenges of German research and uncover your ancestors' stories.

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781440330650
Publisher: Penguin Publishing Group
Publication date: 03/14/2014
Pages: 240
Sales rank: 160,771
Product dimensions: 6.90(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.70(d)

Table of Contents

Introduction 4

Part 1 Thinking Your Family Tree to German-Speaking Nations

Chapter 1 Your German-Speaking Heritage 6

Chapter 2 Identifying the German-Speaking Immigrant 28

Chapter 3 Pinpointing the Place of Origin 46

Chapter 4 The History of Germanic Lands 59

Part 2 Getting to Know the Old Country

Chapter 5 Understanding Germany's Geography 79

Chapter 6 Language, Surnames, Given Names 93

Part 3 Tracing Your Family in German-Speaking Nations

Chapter 7 Civil Registration in Germany 104

Chapter 8 German Church Records 114

Chapter 9 German Census and Court Records 133

Chapter 10 German Military Records 139

Chapter 11 Printed Records 146

Chapter 12 German-Speaking Peoples Outside of Germany 152

Part 4 Advanced Sources and Strategies

Chapter 13 Putting It All Together 161

Chapter 14 What to Do When You Get Stuck 172

Appendices

Understanding German Script 177

Sample Letters to Request Records 183

Civil Record Archives in Europe 188

Church Archives in Germany 192

U.S. Genealogy Archives and Libraries 197

Societies: German, Genealogical, & Historical 200

Publications and Websites 209

Index 223

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