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*'''Central church archives'''. In a few parts of Germany, church records or duplicates have been gathered from the local parishes into central archives. Some gaps in the church records of local parishes could be filled using these records. Church archives are often unable to handle genealogical requests, but they can determine whether they have specific records you need, or they may recommend a researcher who can search the records for you. | *'''Central church archives'''. In a few parts of Germany, church records or duplicates have been gathered from the local parishes into central archives. Some gaps in the church records of local parishes could be filled using these records. Church archives are often unable to handle genealogical requests, but they can determine whether they have specific records you need, or they may recommend a researcher who can search the records for you. | ||
Suggestions about how to write to local parishes for genealogical information are given in | Suggestions about how to write to local parishes for genealogical information are given in [[German Letter-Writing Guide|German Letter-Writing Guide]]. The postal code book is cited in [[Germany Gazetteers|Germany Gazetteers]]. | ||
If your request is unsuccessful, search for duplicate records that may have been filed in other archives, church registers, or in civil registration offices. | |||
==Reading the Records== | ==Reading the Records== | ||
'''You do not have to be fluent in a foreign language to read church records! Only a limited vocabulary is used.''' Most Catholic records were written in Latin until the 1800s. Protestant records were usually written in German. Local dialects may have affected the spelling of some names and other words in the church records. In German areas under French domination during the early nineteenth century, many church records were kept in French. Sometimes the records combine two languages. | '''You do not have to be fluent in a foreign language to read church records! Only a limited vocabulary is used.''' Most Catholic records were written in Latin until the 1800s. Protestant records were usually written in German. Local dialects may have affected the spelling of some names and other words in the church records. In German areas under French domination during the early nineteenth century, many church records were kept in French. Sometimes the records combine two languages. | ||