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The French Revolution in 1789 and subsequent wars that lasted for a quarter century had a profound effect on society in Europe. Governments were toppled, boundaries changed, revolutionary ideas concerning the equality of man spread throughout the continent, and war with all its concomitant problems engulfed the continent. For the genealogical researcher, the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic period is of enormous importance because of the changes that occurred in Germany. The French introduced a number of changes which greatly affected the political and social organization in Germany. These changes can be divided into five areas: boundaries, civil registration, names, French Republican calendar, and military.<br> | The French Revolution in 1789 and subsequent wars that lasted for a quarter century had a profound effect on society in Europe. Governments were toppled, boundaries changed, revolutionary ideas concerning the equality of man spread throughout the continent, and war with all its concomitant problems engulfed the continent. For the genealogical researcher, the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic period is of enormous importance because of the changes that occurred in Germany. The French introduced a number of changes which greatly affected the political and social organization in Germany. These changes can be divided into five areas: boundaries, civil registration, names, French Republican calendar, and military.<br> | ||
At the time of the French Revolution in 1789 Germany was not a unified country. It was made up of hundreds of differing political entities. These included kingdoms, duchies, grand duchies, bishoprics, and others. Click here to see a detailed [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:HRR_1789_EN.png map of Germany in 1789]. | At the time of the French Revolution in 1789 Germany was not a unified country. It was made up of hundreds of differing political entities. These included kingdoms, duchies, grand duchies, bishoprics, and others. Click here to see a detailed [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:HRR_1789_EN.png map of Germany in 1789]. | ||
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<br>Finally, we consider the military. The French kept Europe in a constant state of turmoil/warfare for the better part of 25 years, from the early 1790s till 1815. Many of the German states were often on the French side, as they were too weak to withstand French invasion alone. In the later years, particularly in 1813, many states switched sides to the allies. Regardless of which side any particular state fought on, the social consequences were enormous. First, large numbers of men were conscripted into the various armies. Unfortunately, the value of such military records is limited because of the paucity of information that many of them give and difficulty in finding an individual. Searching such records is also often very time-consuming. Click here for further reading about [https://wiki.familysearch.org/en/France_Military_Records French ]and [https://wiki.familysearch.org/en/Germany_Military_Records German military records]. | <br>Finally, we consider the military. The French kept Europe in a constant state of turmoil/warfare for the better part of 25 years, from the early 1790s till 1815. Many of the German states were often on the French side, as they were too weak to withstand French invasion alone. In the later years, particularly in 1813, many states switched sides to the allies. Regardless of which side any particular state fought on, the social consequences were enormous. First, large numbers of men were conscripted into the various armies. Unfortunately, the value of such military records is limited because of the paucity of information that many of them give and difficulty in finding an individual. Searching such records is also often very time-consuming. Click here for further reading about [https://wiki.familysearch.org/en/France_Military_Records French ]and [https://wiki.familysearch.org/en/Germany_Military_Records German military records]. | ||
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One result of the wars is that many soldiers were killed far from home, so their deaths may not have been recorded in the place where they came from, if at all. Finding death records for these soldiers may be impossible, given the large numbers who were engaged in various campaigns and battles. | One result of the wars is that many soldiers were killed far from home, so their deaths may not have been recorded in the place where they came from, if at all. Finding death records for these soldiers may be impossible, given the large numbers who were engaged in various campaigns and battles. | ||
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[[Category:French]] | |||