Germany, Brandenburg, Wittenberge, City Directories and Citizen Lists - FamilySearch Historical Records: Difference between revisions

{{Tip|More images are available in the FamilySearch Catalog at [https://familysearch.org/search/catalog/2037956 Germany, Brandenburg, Wittenberge, City Directories and Citizen Lists, 1851-1921]. Some catalog records link to multiple references. In this case, click on a reference to find a camera icon to see images.}}

Whenever possible, view the original records to verify the information and to find additional information that might not be reported. These pieces of information can lead you to additional records and family members.     

*Use the age in the citizen to find an approximate birth year to begin your search in church or civil records.                   

*Continue to search the records to identify children, siblings, parents, and other relatives who may have moved, been recruited or lived nearby. This can help you identify other generations of your family. Repeat this process for each new generation you identify. Compile the entries for every person who has the same surname; this is especially helpful in rural areas or if the surname is unusual. This compiled list can help you identify possible relations that can be further verified by researching [https://familysearch.org/wiki/en/Germany_Vital_Records_Index_(FamilySearch_Historical_Records) vital records] in the country.                 

*When you have located your ancestor’s record, carefully evaluate each piece of information given. Save a copy of the image or transcribe the information. These pieces of information may give you new biographical details such as a title, an occupation, or land ownership. Add this new information to your records of each family. You should also look for leads to other records about your ancestors.                 

*[[Germany Church Records|Church Records]] often were kept years before government records were required and are a good source for finding ancestors before 1900.                 

*Switch to a different record collection. Depending on the time period, either German Civil Registration records or German Church records may be more useful.                         

*While searching, it is helpful to know such information as the ancestor’s given name and surname, some identifying information such as residence and age, and family relationships. Remember that there may be more than one person in the records with the same name as an ancestor and that the ancestor may have used nicknames or different names at different times.                 

*Standard spelling of names typically did not exist during the periods our ancestors lived in. Try variations of your ancestor’s name while searching the index or browsing through images. Pay special attention to how the name should have been pronounced and try variations on the pronunciation.                 

*Remember that sometimes individuals went by [http://usgenweb.org/research/nicknames.html nicknames] or alternated between using first and middle names. Try searching for [http://genealogy.about.com/od/first_names/fl/nickname-given-name-equivalents.htm these names] as well.               

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