If you have German ancestors in your family tree, or if you have worked on German family history research for anyone else, you may have noticed that Germany is a country that doesn't include national indexes to their records. In order to conduct research for your German ancestors you need to know the specific town or city where your family lived, and also usually the parish they attended. Since parish churches could cover several nearby towns, the parish where your ancestors' records are located might be different from where they actually lived.
You're also probably aware that shifting boundaries over the course of history affect your research as well. Your ancestors might have said they were from Germany, but the town they were from might now be in modern-day Poland (for example). Or the place they lived might have changed names over time (sometimes more than once). And then there are the spellings of town names. If your ancestors emigrated from Germany to another location, you might have found the name of the town they were from, but it is spelled the way the new country officials heard it coming out of their mouths. But then you go to look for the town and there might be five places that all are spelled similar enough to the spelling you have that any of them could be the right one. So how do you narrow all this down and find out where to search for records in Germany?
We've done a lot of German family history research over the years, and have found the following three websites to be extremely helpful. And the best part is that they can be accessed from right within your own home!
1. Meyers or Meyer’s Gazetteer of the German Empire: MeyersGaz.org
For years, novice genealogists who found themselves embarking on the road of genealogy for German ancestors were discouraged when needing to decipher an entry for their town in Meyers Orts- und Verkehrs-lexikon des deutschen Reichs (commonly known simply as Meyers or Meyer’s Gazetteer of the German Empire) due to the old German font in which the book was printed and the plethora of abbreviations that were used. To address this obstacle, the website www.MeyersGaz.org was created.
This online database not only explains the text and various abbreviations in the town entry that are found in the original printed version of Meyers, but also pinpoints the location of the town on both historic and modern maps, indicates the Catholic and Protestant parishes to which residents of the town would have belonged, and notes the distance from the town to all parishes within a 20-miles radius.
The database also allows users to search for a town using wildcards. This is especially useful when the exact spelling of a town is not known. For example, if the record on which you found the new town name indicated that the person came from Gross Gard…. where the second part of the word was smudged or illegible, you could simply put “Gross Gard*” into the database. In this case, the only two options would be Gross Garde in Pommern and Gross Gardienen in East Prussia. If you have a common town name such as Mülheim, you can filter the search results by province.
2. Kartenmeister: Towns east of the Oder and Neisse rivers in the former German Empire provinces
Kartenmeister is a database for towns that are found east of the Oder and Neisse rivers in the former German Empire provinces of East Prussia, West Prussia, Brandenburg, Posen, Pomerania, and Silesia. This area is now part of modern Poland. The database allows users to search for towns using either their German or Polish names.
Again, using Gross Gardienen as our example town, we learn that the Polish name for the town is now Gardyny and it is located in the Warminsko-Mazurskie province. Also, collaboration between users is encouraged. Individuals can enter their email address into a mailing list according to the town they are interested in and specify surnames they are researching in that town, and someone else who is researching the same surname may provide help.
3. GOV Geschichtliche Ortsverzeichnis (Historic Gazetteer)
Run by a computer genealogy organization in Germany, there’s a mega-site that goes by the name of Compgen.de or Genealogy.net. It is similar to the way RootsWeb was once a hub for American genealogy. One of the wonderful features of this site is the Historic Gazetteer, Geschichtliche Ortsverzeichnis (abbreviated GOV), in the German language.
This gazetteer covers much of Europe – including virtually all current or former German-speaking areas – and has a simple interface to enter a town name. The database will then fetch any references to that place name along with information about whether the place name represents a village, church parish, larger municipal division, etc.
Clicking on a specific location then takes you to a lot of information, including a detailed map, GPS data, additional articles on the Compgen.de site, and a chart showing larger political and church units to which it belonged, in most cases dating back to 1815. This is helpful information to figure out which churches, civil registry offices, and archives about the location may be found.
If you have ancestors from Germany or the surrounding area, the experts at Legacy Tree Genealogists not only have experience in determining where exactly your family lived and where the historical records are held but we are also located near the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, which houses original German records on microfilm, many of which are not available online yet. We would love to help you learn more! Contact us today for a free consultation for help with your German family history research.
Dear: My great-grandfather Christian Carstens was German. The only information I have is that he was born approximately 1853-1854 in Germany. It has been impossible to find a history of my great-grandfather in Chile … how can I obtain his place of birth ?. Can you help me?
Stay tuned to your comments.
Best regards.
Cristian Carstens
Hi Cristian, we would be happy to assist with your research efforts. You may request a free consultation by submitting the form here.
I believe that my family name originates from Germany but I don’t know where or when.
It is Wascherman but was anglasized to Waterman in the UK.
I have traced my family to the Netherlands to a Hartog Hirts Emanuel Wascherman born in 1727 and died in 1785
Hi Joe, we would be happy to assist with your research efforts. You may request a free consultation by submitting the form here.
Dresback last name, with several variations. My ancestry also had a name of Lenz.
We would be happy to assist. You may request a free consultation by submitting the form here.
I am searching for the last names of Seebach or Ort who were born in Germany
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All I have is that my daughter’s mother-in-law came from Berlin. She married a serviceman and did not have to give any info apparently. Name is Irene Kycler, father Andreas Kycler, mother Charlotte EGLOFF. Irene born 8/01/1942 possibly in East Berlin. This has been very frustrating not to find anything. I realize the K in their name may not look like a K.
Any help would be appreciated.
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My believe that both of my Grandparents were born Germany. Just not sure where. The name is Foelker. My grandmother’s name was Martha Foelker. I would like any information that I can get. Grandfather’s name was John(Jack).
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I only have American version of the spelling of gggrandfather name. Have no idea how to discover true Polish spelling in order to find records concerning arrival,etc.. he is always listed a German but my dad insists he is Polish.
You may find this article from our blog useful: https://www.legacytree.com/blog/beginning-german-research-what-german-really-means. If you would like to hire one of our researchers, you may request a free quote here.
Hi, Regina. This article may be helpful: https://www.legacytree.com/blog/4-steps-finding-polish-ancestors. You may also request a free consultation by submitting the form here.
He might be Silesian if there’s ambiguity on his ethnicity. DNA will put him as Slavic if he is Polish/Silesian. Many Silesians after the 2nd wolrd war would deny their nationality, and even today.
Good points, Ro. Thank you for your comments!
My great great grandparents were born in Bavaria: Nicholaus Wiesansell and wife Barbara Fuerst or Fuerston. He was born about 1816, she was born about 1829. I have information on my 3X great grandparents on Wiesansell side: Nicholai and Katherinae (unknown birth name). I don’t have any information on their dates of birth nor parentage. Both names sound as though they could have come from somewhere other than Germany. And of course, the last name Wiesansell may not be how it was spelled in the old country as I have seen it on a number of documents spelled differently. I am going with the spelling that is on my paternal grandmother’s, Anna Mae Wiesansell, marriage certificate of which I am in possession.
Any assistance would be appreciated.
We would be happy to assist. You may request a free consultation by submitting the form here.
My ancestor was born in 1811 in Erfurt, Thuringen, Germany. I have no idea what her parents’ parish was in Erfurt, but in researching the different parish records from Erfurt, many do not go back to 1811. What are the chances of finding her birth record? I would like to know her parents names. Her marriage record in Reinsdorf, Thuringia, Germany does not list her parents’ names. Where do I go from here?
We would be happy to assist. You may request a free consultation by submitting the form here.
My name is Reinhard Brunsch. I was born in Germany in 1946. Both my parents, Willy Brunsch and Elfriede Schmidt came from Silesia, Germany. My father was born Willy Bruno Brunsch in 1905 in Guhlen (the German name). My mother was born in Quolsdorf (the German name).
In September, 2019 my family (5) will visit the towns where my parents were born and where they moved to when they married (Forst, Germany). I would like to see if we could find records of my grandparents, great grandparents…. where might I look? Our family has been active in the Lutheran Church.
Thank you for any help you can give me. Reinhard Brunsch
Try the Province łódzkie and the capital of the state, łódz.
i am trying to find infor on my 2x great grandparents. what i do know is;johann michael koch, b 1855-12dec1943, came to US in 1880. few years later my 2x grandmother ,othelia(otillie) matilda zelm,24may1865-5aug1944, came to US about 1889. they were wedded on 12sep1889 in cook co. ill. Johann was born in Posen,Saale,Holzland-Krieis,Thueringen, Germany. his parents are Frederick Johann Koch,1814-1889 and Anna Margaretha Mo”gel, both from Untereisenheim,Wurzburg Bavaria,Germany. Othelia was born in Wact,Prussia,Germany and her parents were William and Pauline Zelm. I’m really at a lost, would like to know thier siblings and any other relatives. thanks,betty
Hi Betty. We would be happy to help you find additional information on your 2x great-grandparents. You may request a free consultation by completing this form: https://legacytree.com-contact-us. A member of our team will then reach out to you to discuss the specifics of your research goal. Thank you!
Posen (near the Saale river) is presently incorporated into the nearby town of Knaus
Hi I am currently trying to search for records of my Nan she is German but moved over to uk in 1940s and the only record I can get is her marriage Elisabeth dodenhoft married Dennis w ringer in 1952 but no luck with her birth record or anything on her parents ?
Hi Clare. We would be happy to assist you in obtaining additional documentation to help you learn more about your Nan. Please complete this form so we can provide you with an estimate for our services. We look forward to hearing from you!
Hi
I have german ancestry that i would like to explore. I have some death certificates for two and a bit of information on another.
Please let me know if you are able to do a trace for me.
Many thanks
Rosalind
Hi Rosalind! We would be happy to help you learn more about your German ancestry. I will have a member of our Client Solutions team reach out to you to discuss your research goals. We look forward to working with you!
my great great grandfather was born in 1821 biefroth germany I can not find the town biefroth his name was William Schmidt he was catholic family story says he was a Rhinelander he immigrated to usa in 1848 to new york I do not know if he traveled alone
family history says he came from a place where soldiers were often recruited
My 3X great grandfather Johann Christian Knull was born in Wobbelkow, a community/farm S. of Barth, Germany 1784. I can find no records. There are a number of Knull families from the Riekdahl area. Can you suggest a search resource.
The resources included in this article are a great place to start! If you’d like research assistance, submit this form to request a free quote. Our team is experienced at finding hard to find records and tracking down the answers to family history mysteries.
My ancestors were German but I do not know where they originated in Germany. I would like to know so this information would help me with my research. All I do know is that they left Germany for Reichesdorf, Romania and lived there for the rest of their lives. My parents came to Canada after the 1920’s. Is there a way to find out this information?
We can certainly assist you with identifying the ancestral hometowns of your German ancestors! To request a free quote, please complete this form, and a member of our team will be in touch shortly. We look forward to working with you!
Hi, I’d like know if the name “Wielanek” has Germanic origins or Polish origins ?
Merci beaucoup,
Jean-Marc
Would like some help in locating records in Germany for Johann Heinrich “Henry” Ruff born 28 Apr 1849 in Alexandersreuth, , Baden-Württemberg, Germany and died 1920 in Crailsheim, , Baden-Württemberg, Germany. I’m especially interested in names and dates of their 12 children. Thank you
Hi Jo! I will have a member of our Client Solutions Team reach out to you to discuss your research goals and how we can help.
Hi I know I have German in me my maiden last name is Lewedag but as a child I was told the spelling had been changed a few times I only remember at one time it was vonlevedog or something like that I only remember my grandpas name is Loren August Lewedag born nov 13 1905 and died nov 6 1986 I’m trying to find with no luck his mom and dad
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How can I find the property record or registration of my great-grandfather’s house who died in 1911. His wife continue living there until 1932, and then her daughter for some years more. He lived in Altona-Blankenese (Hamburg). I know the address.
Thanks
Go to
https://www.hamburg.de/behoerdenfinder/hamburg/11807693/
enter the street address on the form there, and you will learn which Local Court (Amtsgericht) is in charge of the land register for that address.
Can you claim any possible inheritance rights? Otherwise, it may be more difficult to get the information from the land register (Grundbuch)
Hi Jorge, since you have the current address, one suggestion would be to contact the current owner by looking up the address in Das Telefonbuch, the nationwide German phone directory https://www.dastelefonbuch.de/.
I have my German family from when my ancestors left Germany on the Wilhemsburg to South Africa 19 Oct 1858. I only have where they were born & where they died. I also have an ancestor that was born on the La Rochelle on route to East London South Africa. I would like to find more info on them than just their place of birth & birth date etc. Can you please help with this?
Yes, our team can certainly assist with discovering more details about your German ancestors. To get started, you may request a free quote by completing this form. From there, a member of our Client Solutions Team will contact you to discuss your research goals.
I like to find a little more about my German ancestors who came from Halgarten, Grmany in 1850. I like to know the ship and port in Germany/France they came to the US and where they landed.
The two of my German great grandparents who settled in southern Illinois were Joseph Rossel and Catherine Bender both from Halgarten and I believed married in t LouisMO
We would love to help you! To get started, complete this form to request a personalized research quote. We look forward to speaking with you!
Hello,
My grandparents both lived in Kiel or just outside the city. I can’t seem to find any info pertaining to them. There are a number of people in that area who share my grandfather’s name so that doesn’t help. I could definitely use some assistance.
Thanks,
Mark
Hi Mark,
I will have a member of our Client Solutions team reach out to you to discuss your research goals and how we can help.
My great grandfather born 1854 in Gerzlow, Soldin, Prussia (now Jaroslawski, Poland) emigrated to Colmar, France by 1880. when he married a French Alsatian woman with deep roots in that area. I have always wondered what brought him to the Alsace. {They went on had a family of all sons and, eventually, moved to the USA). How can I find out if he was a 17 year old soldier who fought for Germany in the Franco-Prussian War? Perhaps after the war he decided to stay there?What archive in Germany contains military records of this nature? Thank you.
I’ll be filling out the form to get help tracing my Volga German grandmother. Between the Germans and the Russians, I need a professional! What a nightmare!
We look forward to helping you untangle your family history and preserve an accurate legacy!
WANTED; ROS FAMILY FROM BADEN
I am seeking anyone else with Roman Catholic ancestors from Baden with the family name Ros (possibly with umlaud on O; possibly with a double S at the end). The two documents that I have spell it 3 times with 1 Ros and 1 time as RosS.
I have looked at hundreds of records for a marriage record using the Freiberg and Karlsbad online state archive records which are not indexed. I am now looking for a baptismal record, 1825-1830. The only Ross families I find are Lutherans in a town near Strasbourg. I will continue examining each church record, but thought I would post this to see if anyone else has that name of his/her family tree. Thank you.
My name is Eugene Rossel, and my GG Father Joseph Rossel came from Hallgartren, Germany. He was born on 6 Mar 1822 in Hallgarten. He was Catholic and came to the US about 1850 and eventually landed In Okawville, IL (near St Louis). I can send you his birth certificate both in German and in English. I also have a family tree which goes to about 1600.
Eugene Rossel
6083 Rosa Ct
Chino, CA 91710
Tel 909-591-7342,
Eugene, Please contact us by filling out the form on our home page https://www.legacytree.com. We can point you in the right direction and give you a free estimate if research is needed.
My 10th generation grandfather with my sur name, Eiber, b.
1612, came from Korb to Grosshappech. I know all my ancestors from this point forward, but have no info about his parents. Can you help?
Hi Neal,
We’ve helped many people in your situation. Our researchers conduct detailed, personalized research in millions of family history records, spanning hundreds of years to tell you who your ancestors were, where they lived and much more. We can provide the next steps to help you learn more about your family. Please contact us by filling out the form on our Get in Touch page. We can give you a free estimate if research is needed.
Oops; His name was Hans Eiber.
sorry to say but the site http://www.LostShoeBox.com doesn’t work
http://www.kartenmeister.com/ is NOT secure
Thank you for letting us know, Serge!
Unless the site has moved, lostshoebox.com appears to be out of commission.
Thank you for letting us know, Dolores!
Thank you for letting us know!
I am trying to find information on my great grandfather who was born in Rugen, Vorpommern Mecklenburg. Stralsund is also mentioned. He was born in 1848 to Franz Bethmann and Mary Anne Meyers. Have no record of when he left Germany. He spent a few years in Quebec as a merchant seaman. Can not find a Franz Bethmann or Mary Anne Meyers marriage certificate or Johann’s birth certificate. Can anyone help??
Jennifer Bathman Cowell
I read a recent research summary very similar to this. We were able to find a client’s great-grandfather by accessing old shipping records. The ship manifest was destroyed, but his name was located in an index. In this particular case, the client’s ancestor had taken the name of his hometown when he started his service as a seaman. It sounds like he wanted a fresh start. IF you hit a brick wall, contact us to get a free estimate on research.
I have traced my surname ancestors 10 generations to a small village east of Stuttgart, Grosshappech( now combined with 4 other villages in 1975 to form the city of Weinstat.My great great GF Johanes (John) immigrated in 1842 to the US through Philadelphia.
I’m tying to find out the parents of Hans Eiber b. 1612, 10th generation. He left the village of Korb to work and live in Grossheppach
Hi Neal,
I believe we can help you. Please contact us by filling out the form on our Get in Touch page. We can point you in the right direction and give you a free estimate if research is needed.
I recently discovered that my great grandfather was born “Petig”. Because of the language barrier, I understood that he was either adopted OR found on the streets as a young child. I’ve tried a few sites to search for any documents but nothing. It’s like he never existed. Any suggestions, given that I know barely enough German to communicate.
Hi Sharon,
We have researchers that specialize in Central Europe that may help with this. Please contact us by filling out the form on our Get in Touch page and we can give you a free estimate if research is needed.
So, I commented before, but never heard anything.
My 10th generation GF Hans Eiber b..1612 moved to Grossheppach from Korb. Can you help me find out who his parents were?
Hi Neal,
We would love to help you find your ancestors, but would need some additional information. Please contact us by filling out the form on our Get in Touch page. We can point you in the right direction and give you a free estimate if research is needed.
Trying to help Helga Groschke find her brother that was separated during WWII. Brother is Bernd Groschke, born 28 Mar 1942, Berlin. Last known address, Lessing Strasse.
Hi Mike,
It’s nice that you’re trying to help Helga. Sometimes family histories can seem confusing, especially without detailed research. Our team conducts personalized research in millions of family history records, spanning hundreds of years. Please have Helga consider scheduling a consultation with one of our Client Solutions Specialists through our Get in Touch page. They can point her in the right direction or set up a research project if needed.
Bonjour , je recherche les parents de mon arrière grand père né en Allemagne à Berlin en 1886. pourriez vous m’aider?
Nous serions ravis de vous aider à trouver les parents de votre arrière-grand-père, mais nous aurions besoin d’informations supplémentaires. Veuillez nous contacter en remplissant le formulaire sur notre page Get in Touch. Nous pouvons vous orienter dans la bonne direction et vous donner une estimation gratuite si des recherches sont nécessaires.
My father is Francis Muller from Hannover Germany. He visited Kenya Coast (Mombasa) back in the 90s and that’s when he met my mum. I was born in 1999 April, Am Muller Ian.
For any information reply.
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
+254759998506
+254700491025
Hi Ian, this is something we can assist with. We want to make sure you have the best possible research experience, and that begins by matching you with the most appropriate research project for your goal. To get started, please complete this form to request a free quote, and a member of our Client Solutions Team will reach out to you.