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''[[Germany Genealogy|Germany]] [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]]'' '''Military Records''' {{Germany-sidebar}} __TOC__ | ''[[Germany Genealogy|Germany]] [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]]'' '''Military Records''' {{Germany-sidebar}} __TOC__ | ||
[[Image:Parade 1894.JPG|right|300px|Parade 1894.JPG]]Military records identify individuals who served in the military or who were eligible to serve. Germany had a large army and a small navy. Since most German states had conscription laws, most young men were required to register for military service. A young man who had not yet served had to get special permission before he could emigrate. | [[Image:Parade 1894.JPG|right|300px|Parade 1894.JPG]] | ||
==Military Records in Germany== | |||
Military records identify individuals who served in the military or who were eligible to serve. Germany had a large army and a small navy. Since most German states had conscription laws, most young men were required to register for military service. A young man who had not yet served had to get special permission before he could emigrate. | |||
Evidence that an ancestor actually served in the military can sometimes be found in family records, biographies, censuses, photographs, emigration papers, medals, probate records, civil registration records, and church records. | Evidence that an ancestor actually served in the military can sometimes be found in family records, biographies, censuses, photographs, emigration papers, medals, probate records, civil registration records, and church records. | ||
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German church records usually indicate social standing. This included active military service. These records usually indicated the regiment in which the man was serving. Search the sources cited above to find your ancestor's regiment, ship, or commanding officer. Commanding officers can be identified with their units relatively easily. Photographs sometimes show insignia that identify a regiment or ship. | German church records usually indicate social standing. This included active military service. These records usually indicated the regiment in which the man was serving. Search the sources cited above to find your ancestor's regiment, ship, or commanding officer. Commanding officers can be identified with their units relatively easily. Photographs sometimes show insignia that identify a regiment or ship. | ||
===Historical background''' | |||
Söldnerheere (armies) of the 16th century were primarily hired by warring nations through contracts (Kapitulationen). The colonels of such armies administered to their troops and appointed officers as they saw fit. Since the Swedish-Polish War of 1655-1660 the Kurfürst of Brandenburg attempted to establish a permanent army. He introduced concepts, directives and commissions to have influence over his troops and made sure he himself appointed the officers. | Söldnerheere (armies) of the 16th century were primarily hired by warring nations through contracts (Kapitulationen). The colonels of such armies administered to their troops and appointed officers as they saw fit. Since the Swedish-Polish War of 1655-1660 the Kurfürst of Brandenburg attempted to establish a permanent army. He introduced concepts, directives and commissions to have influence over his troops and made sure he himself appointed the officers. | ||
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Until 1918 there was no Reichsheer (army) but the Royal Prussian Army with which most states joined forces. Before, the Brandenburg-Prussian army existed and the states of Bavaria, Saxony and Württemberg had their own armies. | Until 1918 there was no Reichsheer (army) but the Royal Prussian Army with which most states joined forces. Before, the Brandenburg-Prussian army existed and the states of Bavaria, Saxony and Württemberg had their own armies. | ||
====Reforms==== | |||
When Prussia was defeated in 1806/07 (Battle of Jena and Auerstedt against the French) the military reformers wanted "Wehrpflicht" for all. Since 1813 practically each male Prussian citizen was liable for military service until he turned 50 years old. There was not more allowance for service replacements tolerated as it was customary in French and Rheinbund conscription laws. | When Prussia was defeated in 1806/07 (Battle of Jena and Auerstedt against the French) the military reformers wanted "Wehrpflicht" for all. Since 1813 practically each male Prussian citizen was liable for military service until he turned 50 years old. There was not more allowance for service replacements tolerated as it was customary in French and Rheinbund conscription laws. | ||
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This article is available through [http://www.familysearch.org www.familysearch.org] FamilySearch Catalog, International film number 1045463. | This article is available through [http://www.familysearch.org www.familysearch.org] FamilySearch Catalog, International film number 1045463. | ||
===Types of Military Records=== | |||
The earliest German military records, which began around 1485, usually list only the names of the soldiers. | The earliest German military records, which began around 1485, usually list only the names of the soldiers. | ||
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*Regimental histories [Regimentsgeschichten] Foreign Military Service | *Regimental histories [Regimentsgeschichten] Foreign Military Service | ||
*Pensions for surviving widows (Offizierswitwenkasse) | *Pensions for surviving widows (Offizierswitwenkasse) | ||
===Service in Other Countries=== | |||
Germans frequently served with the armies of foreign countries. | Germans frequently served with the armies of foreign countries. | ||
====Denmark==== | |||
Before 1772 the Danish army was made up mostly of German soldiers and officers. After 1772 the army began to recruit more Danes, and by 1803, the army was entirely Danish. If your German relative served in the Danish military before 1803, you may be able to find valuable genealogical information in [[Denmark Military Records]]. | |||
====American Revolution==== | |||
Germans served on both sides of the American Revolution. To find information about Germans who fought for the Americans, see [[United States Military Records]]. | |||
About 25,000 mercenary troops raised in Germany worked for the British. They may have come from any part of Germany, but they are usually called “Hessians.” Some deserted or were sold to Americans as laborers. | About 25,000 mercenary troops raised in Germany worked for the British. They may have come from any part of Germany, but they are usually called “Hessians.” Some deserted or were sold to Americans as laborers. | ||
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Smith, Clifford Neal. ''Cumulative Surname Index and Soundex to Monographs 1 through 12 of the German-American Genealogical Research Series''. McNeal, Arizona, USA: Westland Publishing, 1983. (FHL book 973 W2smn no. 13.) This index lists only the soldier's surname and the series number of the monograph where information about that soldier can be found. Each monograph is individually indexed. The monograph normally lists the soldier's name, rank, and unit. Some of the following may also be listed: birthplace; age; occupation; promotions; where the soldier resided or was recruited; and whether he was wounded, killed, missing in action, captured, deserted, or sold, and where. | Smith, Clifford Neal. ''Cumulative Surname Index and Soundex to Monographs 1 through 12 of the German-American Genealogical Research Series''. McNeal, Arizona, USA: Westland Publishing, 1983. (FHL book 973 W2smn no. 13.) This index lists only the soldier's surname and the series number of the monograph where information about that soldier can be found. Each monograph is individually indexed. The monograph normally lists the soldier's name, rank, and unit. Some of the following may also be listed: birthplace; age; occupation; promotions; where the soldier resided or was recruited; and whether he was wounded, killed, missing in action, captured, deserted, or sold, and where. | ||
====American Civil War==== | |||
About one in ten Union soldiers was born in Germany. Over 200,000 German immigrants to the United States were recruited by the Union, many as they stepped off the boat. Some were drafted. Some Germans served in the Confederate military. To find information about Germans who fought in the Civil War, see [[United States Military Records]]. | |||
=== Locating Military Records === | === Locating Military Records === | ||
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If you write to archives for information from military records, you must indicate the regiment or company to which your ancestor belonged. Also include the garrison town or commanding officer's name and your ancestor's rank if you know that information. | If you write to archives for information from military records, you must indicate the regiment or company to which your ancestor belonged. Also include the garrison town or commanding officer's name and your ancestor's rank if you know that information. | ||
====Locating the Garrison Town==== | |||
Some books help identify where regiments from Preußen were stationed. Although the records they describe were burned in World War II, the garrison towns listed are locations to look for in other records: | Some books help identify where regiments from Preußen were stationed. Although the records they describe were burned in World War II, the garrison towns listed are locations to look for in other records: | ||
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Meyers Orts- und Verkehrslexikon has as a supplement listed all garrison towns of Germany. These towns can also be viewed on a map in the same lexicon. | Meyers Orts- und Verkehrslexikon has as a supplement listed all garrison towns of Germany. These towns can also be viewed on a map in the same lexicon. | ||
=== Records at German State Archives === | ==== Records at German State Archives ==== | ||
There is no central archive for German military records. German states each had their own system of keeping military records before 1867. These records are now stored in several German state archives. The following pamphlet lists the archives where existing military records for each state are found: | There is no central archive for German military records. German states each had their own system of keeping military records before 1867. These records are now stored in several German state archives. The following pamphlet lists the archives where existing military records for each state are found: | ||
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In 1867 the armies of all but three German states were integrated into the armies of Preußen. From that time, soldiers of any German state (except Bayern, Sachsen, or Württemberg) were recorded only in the military records of Preußen. Unfortunately, the Preußen military records were almost completely destroyed in 1945. | In 1867 the armies of all but three German states were integrated into the armies of Preußen. From that time, soldiers of any German state (except Bayern, Sachsen, or Württemberg) were recorded only in the military records of Preußen. Unfortunately, the Preußen military records were almost completely destroyed in 1945. | ||
=== Records at the Family History Library === | ==== Records at the Family History Library ==== | ||
Only a few German military records are available at the Family History Library. They are mostly military parish registers, a few published officer rolls [Stammlisten and Ranglisten], and regimental histories. German military church records are usually listed in the FamilySearch Catalog with other church records. For a listing see: [http://users.foxvalley.net/~goertz/mil.html http://users.foxvalley.net/~goertz/mil.html] | Only a few German military records are available at the Family History Library. They are mostly military parish registers, a few published officer rolls [Stammlisten and Ranglisten], and regimental histories. German military church records are usually listed in the FamilySearch Catalog with other church records. For a listing see: [http://users.foxvalley.net/~goertz/mil.html http://users.foxvalley.net/~goertz/mil.html] | ||
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==== Franco-Prussian War, 1870 to 1871 ==== | ==== Franco-Prussian War, 1870 to 1871 ==== | ||
'''1870-1871:''' Franco-Prussian War. Germany annexed Alsace-Lorrraine (Elsaß-Lothringen). | '''1870-1871:''' Franco-Prussian War. Germany annexed Alsace-Lorrraine (Elsaß-Lothringen). | ||
*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=1292 German Casualties in the Franco-Prussian War, 1870-1871] (Ancestry) ($) - requires Ancestry Worldwide subscription. Records are in German. | *[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=1292 German Casualties in the Franco-Prussian War, 1870-1871] (Ancestry) ($) - requires Ancestry Worldwide subscription. Records are in German. | ||
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'''1914-1918:''' World War I. Alsace-Lorrraine (Elsaß-Lothringen) returned to France. Parts of eastern Germany ceded to Lithuania and Poland. | '''1914-1918:''' World War I. Alsace-Lorrraine (Elsaß-Lothringen) returned to France. Parts of eastern Germany ceded to Lithuania and Poland. | ||
=====Service Records===== | |||
*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=1631 Bavaria, Germany, WWI Personnel Rosters, 1914-1918] (Ancestry) ($) - requires Ancestry Worldwide subscription. Over 8 million records. Records are in German. | *[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=1631 Bavaria, Germany, WWI Personnel Rosters, 1914-1918] (Ancestry) ($) - requires Ancestry Worldwide subscription. Over 8 million records. Records are in German. | ||
=====Casualty Records===== | |||
*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=2124 Germany, World War I Casualty Lists, 1914-1917] (Ancestry) ($) - requires Ancestry Worldwide subscription. Over 5 million records. Records are in German. | *[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=2124 Germany, World War I Casualty Lists, 1914-1917] (Ancestry) ($) - requires Ancestry Worldwide subscription. Over 5 million records. Records are in German. | ||
*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=2408 Germany, Navy Casualty List, 1914-1915] (Ancestry) ($) - requires Ancestry Worldwide subscription. Records are in German. | *[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=2408 Germany, Navy Casualty List, 1914-1915] (Ancestry) ($) - requires Ancestry Worldwide subscription. Records are in German. | ||
*[http://wiki-de.genealogy.net/Verlustlisten_Erster_Weltkrieg Genwiki] World War I Casualty Lists. | *[http://wiki-de.genealogy.net/Verlustlisten_Erster_Weltkrieg Genwiki] World War I Casualty Lists. | ||
'''Cemetery Records''' | '''Cemetery Records''' | ||
*Database of war graves from WW I and WWII [http://www.volksbund.de/graebersuche/content_suche.asp German War Cemetery records database] | *Database of war graves from WW I and WWII [http://www.volksbund.de/graebersuche/content_suche.asp German War Cemetery records database] | ||
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'''1939-1945:''' World War II. Many German records were destroyed. | '''1939-1945:''' World War II. Many German records were destroyed. | ||
====Cemetery Records===== | |||
*Database of war graves from WW I and WWII [http://www.volksbund.de/en/graebersuche.html German War Cemetery records database] | *Database of war graves from WW I and WWII [http://www.volksbund.de/en/graebersuche.html German War Cemetery records database] | ||