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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 | 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]. | ||
This patchwork of states kept Germany weak and the lack of centralization has made research in Germany somewhat difficult, as each state could determine when and what type of records would be kept. Therefore, the researcher must consult a myriad of gazetteers and archives in order to find records. Fortunately, this state of affairs changed in the 1790s when Napoleon conquered large areas of Germany and merged many of the small states into larger ones. These internal border changes simplified record keeping and administration. Click here to see a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Confederation_of_the_Rhine map | This patchwork of states kept Germany weak and the lack of centralization has made research in Germany somewhat difficult, as each state could determine when and what type of records would be kept. Therefore, the researcher must consult a myriad of gazetteers and archives in order to find records. Fortunately, this state of affairs changed in the 1790s when Napoleon conquered large areas of Germany and merged many of the small states into larger ones. These internal border changes simplified record keeping and administration. Click here to see a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Confederation_of_the_Rhine map that compares the old states with the newer ones]. <br><br>Not only did the French effect border changes within Germany, but also between Germany and France. For centuries, the French had wanted the political boundary to follow the natural boundary of the Rhine, rather than the cultural boundary, which lay further to the west. Therefore, as the French were victorious against various armies, they were able to annex parts of Germany, i.e. everything west of the Rhine. Click here to see a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Confederation_of_the_Rhine map that shows the newer French-German boundaries]. | ||
The effect of the annexation of German territory by the French has had, surprisingly, a positive effect on genealogical research. In the 1790s the French introduced civil registration in their newly acquired territories. However, the official language of the documents was French, as the French had the intention of French-ifying the populace. So, the researcher should be prepared to encounter documents in French. There are a number of French language aides on this Wiki. | The effect of the annexation of German territory by the French has had, surprisingly, a positive effect on genealogical research. In the 1790s the French introduced civil registration in their newly acquired territories. However, the official language of the documents was French, as the French had the intention of French-ifying the populace. So, the researcher should be prepared to encounter documents in French. There are a number of French language aides on this Wiki. | ||
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| '''French '''<br> | | '''French '''<br> | ||
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| Johann | | Johann <br> | ||
| Jean | | Jean | ||
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| Jakob, Jacob | | Jakob, Jacob | ||
| Jacques | | Jacques | ||
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| Gérard | | Gérard | ||
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| Arnold | | Arnold | ||
| Arnaud | | Arnaud | ||
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| Frédéric | | Frédéric | ||
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| Carl, Karl | | Carl, Karl | ||
| Charles | | Charles | ||
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| Guillaume | | Guillaume | ||
|- | |- | ||
| Johanna, Jenneken | | Johanna, Jenneken <br> | ||
| Jeannette | | Jeannette | ||
|- | |- | ||
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