German Research Troubleshooting Strategies: Difference between revisions

1. Check who the witnesses were at birth of child. Likelihood is that there might be a relationship<br>2. There might exist a separate section in the church book for illegitimate births.<br>3. Check whether the mother marries the father later and the child became legitimized by the father’s acknowledgment .<br>4. Check confirmation records.<br>5. Find school records to see if school fees were paid for the child and by whom (Search in School records . One possibility “Kirchenvisitationen”, “Schülerverzeichnis”)<br>6. Was the child adopted? (Search in court records, key word: “ Adoptionen”, “Vormundschaft”)<br>7. See if a will exists in which the child was bequeathed money or property. (Search in court records for “Testamente”)  

*'''When parents came from a city unknown what would be the research strategy?'''

1. Check the witnesses at the children’s baptisms. Witnesses might be relatives and there may be a place name which could give a clue.<br>2. Check citizenship records of present residence (Search for "Ansässigmachung", ” Bürgerrolle”, “Bürgerbuch”, “Bürgerliste”,” Bürgerverzeichnis”, “Einwohnermeldeverzeichnis”)<br>3. Check for journeymen or servants records (Search for “Geburtsbriefe”, “Gesindebuch”, “Heimatscheine”, “Wanderbücher”, “Gutsarchiv” records)<br>4. Check census records. Search for “Volkszählungen”.<br>5. Check guild records. Search for “Innungen”<br>6. Check neighboring church records to see if parents appeared as witnesses.