Germans from Russia Search Strategies: Difference between revisions

For a more detailed description of the 5-step research process see [[Principles of Family History Research|Principles of Family History Research]].  

Begin your research with family and home sources. Look for names, dates, and places in certificates, family Bibles, obituaries, diaries, and similar sources. Ask your relatives for any additional information they may have. It's very likely that your second cousin, great-aunt, or other relative already has some family information. Organize the information you find and record it on pedigree charts and [[Family group record: roadmap for researchers|family group record]] forms.  

Select a specific relative or ancestor, born in Russia ''for whom you know at least a name, the town or parish where he or she lived in Russia, and an approximate date when he or she lived there''. It's very helpful to also know his religion and the names of other family members born in Russia or Germany.  

It is usually best to begin by verifying information about the ancestor for whom you know the most, and then continue searching from there. It is often hard to find an ancestor’s records when you know only a name and country of birth. With so little information, your research is limited to a few general indexes like the [http://productsupport.familysearch.org/SupportRoot/Eng/Frameset_Products.asp?ReqPg=ProductTopics.asp&Selected=1&Color=green&Product=IGI&DisplayName=International+Genealogical+Index&FAQ=IGI&SS=True ''International Genealogical Index'']®,  [[Ancestral File|''Ancestral File'']]™, [http://productsupport.familysearch.org/SupportRoot/Eng/Frameset_Products.asp?ReqPg=ProductTopics.asp&Selected=1&Color=green&Product=PRF&DisplayName=Pedigree+Resource+File&FAQ=PRF&SS=True Pedigree Resource File], New FamilySearch, or the various searches listed at [[Major Databases for Beginning United States Research#Databases Online|Databases Online]].

Read this portal 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 section. Several factors can affect your choice of which records to search. This portal 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.  

*[[Germans_from_Russia_Naturalization_and_Citizenship|Naturalization and Citizenship]].

You may be able to obtain the records you need in the following ways:  

*[[Copying Sources|''Photocopies'']]. The Family History Library and a few other libraries offer limited photoduplication services for a small fee. You must specify the exact pages you need. Books protected by copyright cannot be copied in their entirety. However, a few pages can usually be copied for personal research. Photocopying facilities are rare in Russia.

You can employ a private researcher to search the records for you. A few researchers specialize in Germans from Russia records. You may want to check with [http://www.icapgen.org/Programs/aglist.htm#SearchAG Accredited Genealogist researchers] who work with records of countries such as Germany, Switzerland, or Austria about their services for German-speaking people from Russia.  

Research in archives in Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine can also be arranged through the Russian-American Genealogical Archive Service (RAGAS). They are more helpful for Jewish research. You may request bilingual research application forms by contacting:  

You will be most successful with Germans from Russia research if you can examine the original records (on microfilm). In some cases, handwritten transcripts of the original records are available. These may be easier to read, but may be less accurate than the original records.  

*[[Guessing a Name Variation|''Watch for spelling variations'']]. Look for the many ways a name could have been spelled. Spelling was not standardized when most early records were made. You may find a name spelled differently than it is today.

'''''Evaluate the Information You Find.''''' Carefully evaluate whether the information you find is complete and accurate. Ask yourself these questions:  

If you are a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, be sure to [[Use_the_Information#Prepare_Names_for_Temple_Ordinances|submit information]] about your deceased family members so you can provide temple ordinances for them. Your ward family history consultant or a staff member at the Family History Library or your Family History Center can assist you. You can also use ''Members Guide to Temple and Family History Work'' (34697) available through Church distribution.  

[[Category:Germans_from_Russia]]