Germany Research Tips and Strategies

German Research Online Tutorials This link leads to classes on German research offered in the FamilySearch Learning Center.

The effects of history, local customs, and record-keeping practices can make German family history research difficult. Here are some suggested strategies and notes about things that are helpful to know.

Basic principles

• Research the entire family as a unit. Document at least the births of all children. Many people have identical or similar names,  sometimes even in the same family. You may need to follow each child through from birth to death in order to confirm which one is your ancestor.
  
• Avoid the temptation of tracing only the direct line. This is especially important in areas where farm names were used. If the wife's family owned property, the husband may take his wife's surname. Surnames may change as families move from farm to farm.
• Document all information.
• "Same name" does not equal "same person"
• Dates and ages can be incorrect.
• Make sure you are dealing with the correct place. Often there are several localities by the same name.
• Published information [online or in print] is good as a base for research, but you should verify it through research in original records whenever possible.
  

Geography and history

Complement your genealogical research with a study of the geography and general history of your ancestor’s birth place and the surrounding area. Much information can be found on the Internet. Find someone to help in translating material found on German web sites. Invest in some good books for your area of interest. Town or regional histories are often available.

Using maps

Use maps in your research to

• Know where your ancestral towns are located.
•  Become familiar with the surrounding area, including towns, rivers, mountains, valleys, major roads, and railways.
• Understand changes in jurisdictions that may have taken place over time.
  
  

Use the FamilySearch Learning Center to find online genealogy classes.