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Civil registration records are records of births, marriages, and deaths kept by the government. German terms for these records include Standesamtsregister, Zivilstandsregister, or Personenstandsregister. They are an excellent source for fairly accurate information on names and dates and places of births, marriages, and deaths. These records are kept by the civil registrar [German: Standesbeamte] at the civil registry office (Standesamt). | Civil registration records are records of births, marriages, and deaths kept by the government. German terms for these records include Standesamtsregister, Zivilstandsregister, or Personenstandsregister. They are an excellent source for fairly accurate information on names and dates and places of births, marriages, and deaths. These records are kept by the civil registrar [German: Standesbeamte] at the civil registry office (Standesamt). | ||
Civil registration in the German Empire began between 1792 and 1876, depending on the locality. | Civil registration in the German Empire began between 1792 and 1876, depending on the locality. Elsaß-Lothringen started in 1792, since it belonged to France at the time. The creation of ''mairies'' that kept civil birth, marriage, and death registers was required by the French as they advanced into the German territories between 1808 and 1812. These early records are often written in the French language and use the French Republican Calendar. After Napoleon was defeated, civil registration was discontinued in many parts of Germany and replaced by parish register duplicates used for civil purposes, such as conscription. In Preussen, civil births, marriages, and deaths were kept again beginning in October 1874. Civil registration became mandatory in all German states on 1 January 1876. To learn more about when German Civil Registration began in individual provinces or states, [[German Civil Registration Time Periods|click here]]. | ||
Because they cover about 98% of the population and often provide more information than church records, civil registration records are important sources for German genealogical research. | Because they cover about 98% of the population and often provide more information than church records, civil registration records are important sources for German genealogical research. | ||
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=== General Historical Background === | === General Historical Background === | ||
Civil registration was begun in France with a law passed by the national Assembly on 20 Sep 1792. | Civil registration was begun in France with a law passed by the national Assembly on 20 Sep 1792. Elsaß-Lothringen, which was under French rule at that time, were the first German areas to keep civil births, marriages, and deaths. French occupation of the areas left of the Rhein River in 1796 to 1798 brought civil registration to these areas as well. As the French advanced into other areas of Germany, they required local governments to keep civil records of births, marriages, and deaths. After Napoleon was defeated, civil registration was discontinued in many parts of Germany and replaced by parish register duplicates used for civil purposes, such as conscription. In Preussen, civil births, marriages, and deaths were kept again beginning in October 1874. Civil registration became mandatory in all German states on 1 Jan 1876. The records are created and kept by the Standesamt. | ||
Between 1792 and 1876, most German states or provinces developed their own separate laws and civil registration systems. Some civil registration offices were established later than others. Therefore, the date a particular state began civil registration is only a general guideline and does not always apply to every town within its borders. In 1876 civil registration began in all of Germany, and since 1876 almost every German has been registered with the local civil government authorities. | Between 1792 and 1876, most German states or provinces developed their own separate laws and civil registration systems. Some civil registration offices were established later than others. Therefore, the date a particular state began civil registration is only a general guideline and does not always apply to every town within its borders. In 1876 civil registration began in all of Germany, and since 1876 almost every German has been registered with the local civil government authorities. | ||
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=== Regional Differences === | === Regional Differences === | ||
Between 1792 and 1798, when France occupied the area west of the | Between 1792 and 1798, when France occupied the area west of the Rhein River, the government began civil registration in parts of the Pfalz, Oldenburg, Hessen, and the Rheinland west of the Rhein. These records are usually written in French until about 1815. Hamburg began keeping civil registration records in 1799. As France's influence increased in Germany through the Confederation of the Rhein, the states of Braunschweig, Hannover, Westfalen, Bremen, Lippe, more of Hessen, the rest of Oldenburg and Lübeck established civil registration between 1808 and 1812. But when Napoleon's power began to fade in 1814, many of these states suspended civil registration. | ||
By 1838 most of the province of Waldeck was recording marriage contracts. The prime minister of | By 1838 most of the province of Waldeck was recording marriage contracts. The prime minister of Preußen (Preussen), Otto von Bismarck, instituted civil registration in all the provinces of Preussen in 1874. The remaining states — Anhalt, Bayern, Lippe, Mecklenburg, Sachsen, Schaumburg-Lippe, Thüringen, and Württemberg—began requiring civil registration in 1876. | ||
In areas under French influence, especially Elsaß-Lothringen, ten-year indexes were usually kept. Duplicate copies of civil registers were also made. The mayor's office [Bürgermeisterei] kept the original copy, and the duplicate was sent to the court [Landesgericht] or another central archive. For example, most of Westfalen and Lippe sent their duplicates to Detmold, and most of the | In areas under French influence, especially Elsaß-Lothringen, ten-year indexes were usually kept. Duplicate copies of civil registers were also made. The mayor's office [Bürgermeisterei] kept the original copy, and the duplicate was sent to the court [Landesgericht] or another central archive. For example, most of Westfalen and Lippe sent their duplicates to Detmold, and most of the Rheinland sent theirs to Brühl. | ||
=== Rights-to Privacy Laws === | === Rights-to Privacy Laws === | ||
Stringent rights-to-privacy requirements in Germany | Stringent rights-to-privacy requirements in Germany limit access to post-1875 civil registration records to the subject of the document, parents, siblings, and direct-line descendants. Under the current system it may be difficult or impossible to obtain birth, marriage, or death records for non-direct-line relatives [such as a great-aunt or -uncle], even if they are already deceased. Paragraph 61 of the [http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Personenstandsgesetz Personenstandsgesetz] clearly defines who has a legal right to civil registration information. When requesting a record from the Standesamt [civil registration office], the relationship to the person named in the record should be clearly stated. In 2008, the fee for a copy of a civil birth, marriage, or death record was seven Euros plus postage. | ||
Civil registrars often use international extract forms to fill requests from foreign countries. Not all the information present in the original record may be copied onto the extract. As a rule, marginal notes are left out, but other details from the record, such as parents’ names and residences in marriage records, may be omitted. | Civil registrars often use international extract forms to fill requests from foreign countries. Not all the information present in the original record may be copied onto the extract. As a rule, marginal notes are left out, but other details from the record, such as parents’ names and residences in marriage records, may be omitted. | ||
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=== Recent Changes in Rights-to-Privacy Laws === | === Recent Changes in Rights-to-Privacy Laws === | ||
A law passed in February 2007, the [http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Personenstandsrechtsreformgesetz Personenstandsrechtsreformgesetz], | A law passed in February 2007, the [http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Personenstandsrechtsreformgesetz Personenstandsrechtsreformgesetz], makes civil registration records more accessible for family history research. Since 1 January 2009 the records are accessible to researchers after these time periods have passed: | ||
births: 110 years | births: 110 years | ||
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Births were usually registered within a few days of the child's birth by the father, a neighbor, or the midwife. Corrections and additions to a birth record may have been added as marginal notes. | Births were usually registered within a few days of the child's birth by the father, a neighbor, or the midwife. Corrections and additions to a birth record may have been added as marginal notes. | ||
=== Marriages [Heiraten, | === Marriages [Heiraten, Ehen, or Trauungen] === | ||
Marriages were usually recorded where the bride lived. After 1792 a civil marriage ceremony was required in areas of Germany under French control. In 1876 this law was applied to all of Germany. Most couples also had a church wedding, so records may exist for both the civil and church ceremonies. The civil marriage records may include more information than the comparable church records. When possible search both the civil registration and church records. | Marriages were usually recorded where the bride lived. After 1792 a civil marriage ceremony was required in areas of Germany under French control. In 1876 this law was applied to all of Germany. Most couples also had a church wedding, so records may exist for both the civil and church ceremonies. The civil marriage records may include more information than the comparable church records. When possible search both the civil registration and church records. | ||
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Learn more about [[Germany locating civil registration records not at the Family History Library|Locating Records Not at the Family History Library]]. {{Place|Germany}} | Learn more about [[Germany locating civil registration records not at the Family History Library|Locating Records Not at the Family History Library]]. {{Place|Germany}} | ||
[[Category:Germany| | [[Category:Germany|Civil Registration]] | ||