German Genealogy: Tips and Resources

Cyndi's List: many helpful resources for German genealogy, including German form letters to send to churches and archives. Lots of other genealogy information too!


FamilySearch: There are 2 types of searches that are useful in these databases from LDS: 1. Search for Ancestors - If your surname is uncommon, just type it in without other information. If common, add a first name and other limits. This search allows you to see where that surname predominates, even if you don't find your ancestor. It can be a clue for further research. You can also get clues as to the proper spelling of German cities and villages.

2. Search the Library - Go to Library, Library Catalog, then Place Search. Type in a place name in Germany, or a city or village that you found in the Ancestor Search. This will tell you what records have been filmed by the Mormon church and made available through local LDS Family History Centers. They usually cover churches, civil registers, emigration lists, tax lists etc. Most of these records for Germany will be in German, Latin, French or Polish, depending on the geographic area.

Contact me to order the films, read them and interpret them for you.