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Germans from Russia Search Strategies (view source)
Revision as of 19:46, 8 March 2009
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== Step 3. Select a Record to Search == | == Step 3. Select a Record to Search == | ||
Read this | Read this set of articles to learn about the types of records (topics) used for Germans from Russia research. To trace your family, you may need to use some of the records described in each article. Several factors can affect your choice of which records to search. This set of articles provides information to help you evaluate the contents, availability, ease of use, time period covered, and reliability of the records, as well as the likelihood that your ancestor will be listed. The [[Germans from Russia Record Selection Table|Record Selection Table]] can also help you decide which records to search. | ||
Effective researchers begin by obtaining some background information. Then they survey previous research. Finally, they search original documents. | Effective researchers begin by obtaining some background information. Then they survey previous research. Finally, they search original documents. | ||
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*''Locate the town or place of residence''. Examine maps, gazetteers, and other place-finding aids to learn as much as you can about each of the places where your ancestors lived. Identify the major migration routes, nearby cities, county boundaries, other geographical features, and government or ecclesiastical jurisdictions. Place-finding aids are described in the “[[Germans from Russia Maps|Maps]],” “[[Germans from Russia Gazetteers|Gazetteers]],” “[[Germans from Russia Historical Geography|Historical Geography]],” and “[[Germans from Russia History|History]]” article in this set. | *''Locate the town or place of residence''. Examine maps, gazetteers, and other place-finding aids to learn as much as you can about each of the places where your ancestors lived. Identify the major migration routes, nearby cities, county boundaries, other geographical features, and government or ecclesiastical jurisdictions. Place-finding aids are described in the “[[Germans from Russia Maps|Maps]],” “[[Germans from Russia Gazetteers|Gazetteers]],” “[[Germans from Russia Historical Geography|Historical Geography]],” and “[[Germans from Russia History|History]]” article in this set. | ||
*''Review local history''. You will need to understand Russia's and Germany’s history because they have greatly affected the development of records of genealogical value. If possible, study a history of the areas where your ancestors lived. Look for clues about the people, places, religions, and events that may have affected their lives and the records about them. Records with information about migration and settlement patterns, government jurisdictions, and historical events are described in the "[[Germans from Russia Archives and Libraries|Archives and Libraries]]," "[[Germans from Russia Emigration and Immigration|Emigration and Immigration]]," “[[Germans from Russia Gazetteers|Gazetteers]],” "[[Germans from Russia Historical Geography|Historical Geography]]," “[[Germans from Russia History|History]],” "[[Germans from Russia Maps|Maps]]," “[[Germans from Russia Periodicals|Periodicals]],” and "[[Germans from Russia Societies|Societies]]" articles in this set. | *''Review local history''. You will need to understand Russia's and Germany’s history because they have greatly affected the development of records of genealogical value. If possible, study a history of the areas where your ancestors lived. Look for clues about the people, places, religions, and events that may have affected their lives and the records about them. Records with information about migration and settlement patterns, government jurisdictions, and historical events are described in the "[[Germans from Russia Archives and Libraries|Archives and Libraries]]," "[[Germans from Russia Emigration and Immigration|Emigration and Immigration]]," “[[Germans from Russia Gazetteers|Gazetteers]],” "[[Germans from Russia Historical Geography|Historical Geography]]," “[[Germans from Russia History|History]],” "[[Germans from Russia Maps|Maps]]," “[[Germans from Russia Periodicals|Periodicals]],” and "[[Germans from Russia Societies|Societies]]" articles in this set. | ||
*''Learn about jurisdictions''. You will need to know about how the nations where your ancestor lived are divided into political subdivisions. The United States are divided into states, counties, towns, and townships. Canada is divided into provinces, counties, towns and townships. Russia and the Ukraine are divided into guberniias, and provinces (oblasts). See the “[[Germans from Russia Historical Geography|Historical Geography]]” article from this set, the [[Germany|Germany Wiki article], and the Wiki article of the nation where your ancestor settled. | *''Learn about jurisdictions''. You will need to know about how the nations where your ancestor lived are divided into political subdivisions. The United States are divided into states, counties, towns, and townships. Canada is divided into provinces, counties, towns and townships. Russia and the Ukraine are divided into guberniias, and provinces (oblasts). See the “[[Germans from Russia Historical Geography|Historical Geography]]” article from this set, the [[Germany|Germany Wiki article], and the Wiki article of the nation where your ancestor settled. | ||
*''Use language helps''. The records and histories of Germans from Russia are often written in German. You do not need to speak or read German to search the records, but you will need to learn some key words and phrases. You may also need to use Russian gazetteers to locate some German settlements. A few records were kept in Russian about German settlers. Some helpful sources are described in the “[[Germans from Russia Language and Languages|Language and Languages]]” article in this set. | *''Use language helps''. The records and histories of Germans from Russia are often written in German. You do not need to speak or read German to search the records, but you will need to learn some key words and phrases. You may also need to use Russian gazetteers to locate some German settlements. A few records were kept in Russian about German settlers. Some helpful sources are described in the “[[Germans from Russia Language and Languages|Language and Languages]]” article in this set. | ||
*''Understand naming patterns''. Many families that moved from German-speaking areas to Russia followed distinct naming patterns. Understanding these customs can help you locate missing ancestors. See the “[[Germany Names, Personal|Names, Personal]]” article of the Germany | *''Understand naming patterns''. Many families that moved from German-speaking areas to Russia followed distinct naming patterns. Understanding these customs can help you locate missing ancestors. See the “[[Germany Names, Personal|Names, Personal]]” article of the Germany Wiki page for more information. | ||
'''''Previous Research Sources.''''' Most genealogists do a survey of research previously done by others. This can save time and give you valuable information. You may want to look for:<br> | '''''Previous Research Sources.''''' Most genealogists do a survey of research previously done by others. This can save time and give you valuable information. You may want to look for:<br> | ||
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*All jurisdictions that may have kept records about him (town, parish, province, and nation). | *All jurisdictions that may have kept records about him (town, parish, province, and nation). | ||
Many types of original documents are described in this | Many types of original documents are described in this set of articles. Most Germans from Russia family information is found in the records described under: | ||
*[[Germans from Russia Church Records|Church Records]]. | *[[Germans from Russia Church Records|Church Records]]. | ||