Germany, Bavaria, Middle Franconia, Brenner Collection of Genealogical Records - FamilySearch Historical Records
| Access the Records | |
| This article describes a collection of records at FamilySearch.org. | |
| Mittelfranken, Bavaria, Germany | |
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| Flag of the German Empire, 1871-1917 | |
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| Flag of Bavaria | |
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| Location of Mittelfranken, Bavaria, Germany | |
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| Map of the German Empire, 1871-1917 | |
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| Location of Germany | |
| Record Description | |
| Record Type | Family group sheets |
| Collection years: | 1550-1900 |
| Languages: | German |
| Title in the Language: | Deutschland, Bayern, Mittelfranken, Brenner-Archiv |
| FamilySearch Resources | |
| Related Websites | |
| Archive | |
| Stadtarchiv Ansbach (Ansbach City Archive), Germany | |
What is in This Collection?
The collection consists of an alphabetical collection of family group sheets compiled from parish records and other sources in the district of Ansbach, Mittelfranken, Bavaria. It includes 97 parishes in the area for the period of about 1550-1945. The majority of the records are 1750-1900. The sheets were compiled by Tobias Brenner and others between about 1918 and 1945. The records are written in pencil on pre-printed forms in Gothic German handwriting. Many abbreviations were used for given names; there is a key to these abbreviations.
Additional records and/or images may be added to this collection in the future.
Index and Image Visibility
Whenever possible FamilySearch makes images and indexes available for all users. However, rights to view these data are limited by contract and subject to change. Because of this there may be limitations on where and how images and indexes are available or who can see them. Please be aware some collections consist only of partial information indexed from the records and do not contain any images. For additional information about image restrictions see Restrictions for Viewing Images in FamilySearch Historical Record Collections.
Reading These Records
These records are written in German. For help reading these records see:
- German Genealogical Word List
- Germany Handwriting
- Brigham Young University Script Tutorial : The German Documents
What Can These Records Tell Me?
These records may contain the following information:
- Names of family members
- Birth dates and places
- Marriage dates and places
- Death dates and places
Collection Content
Sample Images
Click on images for a larger view.
1767 Family record (Side 1)
1749-1772 Family record (Side 2)
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_1750-1900_(08-0405)_DGS_4812727_571.jpg&filetimestamp=20120329164821&)
How Do I Search This Collection?
Before searching this collection, it is helpful to know:
- Your ancestor's name
- Residence
- Age or birth date
- Names of family members
Search the Index
Search by name on the Collection Details Page.- Fill in the search boxes in the Search Collection section with the information you know
- Click Search to show possible matches
How Do I Analyze the Results?
Compare each result from your search with what you know to determine if there is a match. This may require viewing multiple records or images. Keep track of your research in a research log.
What Do I Do Next?
I Found the Person I Was Looking For, What Now?
- Add any new information to your records
- Use the age 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 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
- Church Records often were kept years before government records were required and are a good source for finding ancestors before 1900
I Can’t Find the Person I’m Looking For, What Now?
- 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
- Keep in mind that there may be more than one person in the records with the same name
- 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
- Search the indexes and records of local genealogical societies
Research Helps
The following articles will help you research your family in Germany.
Citing This Collection
Citations help you keep track of places you have searched and sources you have found. Identifying your sources helps others find the records you used.
| Collection Citation: The citation for this collection can be found on the Collection Details Page in the section Cite This Collection. |
| Record Citation: When looking at a record, the citation can be viewed by clicking the drop-down arrow next to Document Information. |