Brandenburg History

This article discusses the Prussian province of Brandenburg, which existed from 1815 to 1920. Much of this area is contained in the modern German state of Brandenburg. Brandenburg was the nucleus of the Kingdom of Preussen [Prussia].

History and Borders
The province of Brandenburg was created in 1815 and consisted of the historical Mark Brandenburg and the Neumark and Niederlausitz regions. The Neumark was situated East of the Oder river. The Altmark west of the Elbe river had been added to the Prussian province of Saxony.

The first capital city was Potsdam, followed by Berlin from 1827 to 1843, and Potsdam again from 1843 to 1918. FRom 1918 until 1945 the capital was Berlin-Charlottenburg.

Berlin was expanded separated from Brandenburg on 1 Oct 1920 and became an independent entity with province-like administrative rights. The new greater Berlin area included six former counties with fifty-nine civil communities and 27 rural districts.

Brandenburg province was divided into two regions: Frankfurt/ Oder and Potsdam. Regional offices in both cities were also responsible for issuing permits to emigrants. [in German titled Auswandererkartei] of 19th Century emigrants kept by these offices are available on microfiche at the Family History Library. There is a separate set for each region. Indexes to these microfiches are also available on www.ancestry.com in the Immigration Collection.

When the province of Grenzmark-Posen-Westpreussen was divided up in 1938, the counties of Schwerin(Warthe), Meseritz and parts of Bomst were annexed to Brandenburg Province. At the same time the Brandenburg counties of Friedeberg/Neumark and Arnswalde became part of Pommern [Pommerania].

The province of Brandenburg officially changed its name to "Mark Brandenburg" on 21 Mar 1939. After World War II the areas east of the Oder river became part of Poland. The areas west of the Oder river were in the German Democratic Republic until the reunification of Germany in 1990.

Wiki articles describing online collectiona are found at:


 * Germany, Prussia, Brandenburg and Posen Church Book Duplicates (FamilySearch Historcal Records)
 * Germany, Brandenburg, Heegermuhle Church Records (FamilySearch Historical Reoords)

Early History
Before the introduction of Christianity, the area that became the province of Brandenburg was occupied by a number of Slavic tribes. By 983, the Slavic people in general were brought under German control. In the 1100s they became part of Brandenburg. Although the area was conquered by the Germans, the Slavic influence on both the culture and history of Brandenburg is noticeable even today. The major Slavic tribes were:
 * Burgunders: one of the great Germanic tribes, originally found in west central Brandenburg (near the Netze and Warthe rivers).
 * Heveller: Slavic people who belonged to the Wilzen tribe and originally found in west central Brandenburg (near the lower Spree River).
 * Langobarden: a numerous and fearless people of the Suevischen tribe. Originally found in northwest Brandenburg (near the upper Elbe River).
 * Lechen: Slavic, originally a free owner of a large area. From him came Lechiten or Lechen; the Lechiten people were found in the fertile plain on the Weichsel and Oder Rivers.
 * Lutizen: Slavic people originally found in Lower Lusatia (which became part of southern Brandenburg). The area of Osterland was originally associated with Lusatia but in later years the name disappeared.
 * Semones: Germanic people belonging to the Suevischen tribe. Originally found between the middle Oder and Elbe rivers in the Mark Brendenburg area. Later migrated to southern Germany and took the name Alemannen.
 * Sorben: Slavic tribe, occupied the area between the rivers Saale and Elbe in the AD 500s. Until the 1900s, these people could be found in the Lower and Upper Lusatia areas. Their language is that of the Wends.
 * Wends: Slavic tribe who settled in the area between Oder River on the east and the Elbe and Saale rivers on the west. The Germans expanded into this area through the 1100s. Most, but not all, of the Wends were assimilated into the German culture. Today, they are primarily in the Lusatia Upper Spree valley area. Communities still exist and church records are kept in this language.
 * Wilzen: Slavic tribe was the mightiest, warlike tribe of the northwest Slavs. They occupied the area between the Havel River and East Sea, Oder River and Müritz Sea. They were later broken into smaller tribes, including the Heveller and Redarier.

Borders (called marks) were established for the area of Brandenburg beginning in the 900s. The term Mark is the original German word for Border. The name was given to those territories found in the north, east, and south of Charlemagne's empire. Those who governed these areas were called Markgrafen (margraves). The Mark areas part of Brandenburg's history:
 * Old Mark: (Altmark or Mark Nordsachsen). Established in 931, originally called the Mark of North Saxony (Mark Nordsachsen).
 * Mark Brandenburg: Border area between the German and Slavic people. Eventually became the name of the Margravate, Electorial, Province and modern German state.
 * Priegnitz: (Vormark-Priegnitz). This region was in the Prussian province of Brandenburg. It was on the Elbe, Havel, Dosse, and Stepenitz rivers. This area was a constant conflict between Brandenburg and Mecklenburg.
 * Middle Mark: (Mittelmark). Eventually became part of the former Electorial of Brandenburg.
 * New Mark: (Neumark). This was the original area of the Mark Brandenburg and part of the Kurmark.
 * Ukermark: Located in the northern part of the Prussian province of Brandenburg. It was occupied by the Ukranern, a Wendish tribe. Came under German control in the 10th century. The area went back and forth between Brandenburg, Pomerania, and Mecklenburg.

During the time of the establishments of the Marks, Christianity was introduced into this area. Gero, the margrave of the Saxon East Mark, assisted in the conquering of the Slavs and introduction of Christianity. Under Otto the Great, the Bishoprics of Havelberg in 946 and Brandenburg in 949 were established. In 983, the Wends revolted and regained all the lands they had lost. During this time, all aspects of Christianity was exterminated.

The Ascanian dynasty was established in 1134 and pushed the Slavic people out of the areas of Priegnitz, Zauche, and the Mittelmark. The ruler of the Ascanian dynasty, Albert the Bear, reconquered areas previously lost and reestablished Christianity. He restored the bishoprics previously destroyed by the Wends, established monasteries, and brought knights to fortify the land with castles. He also seized the Mark Nordsachsen from the Duchy of Saxony and renamed it the Margrave of Brandenburg.

The city of Old Berlin is believed to have been established by Germans during the 1100s. Berlin's name is derived from the word "Wehr," which means "to defend." Berlin, in its early history, was not a major trade city, even though it was the center of Germany.

Middle Ages
From the 1200s to the 1400s Brandenburg experienced periods of increase and periods of decline. The early 1200s was a prosperous time for Brandenburg, as its borders were expanding. Land was seized, acquired, or purchased from surrounding tribes and kingdoms. Germans began to migrate to this area to colonize the land and establish cities. Through German colonization the Slavic people were integrated and assimilated into the German society. In the later 1200s, the area of Brandeburg experienced change as rulers died, land was conquered and divided, and borders were altered. In the 1300s, the Margravate of Brandenburg experienced heavy fighting and political instability. During this time, Poland and Lithuania devastated areas of Brandenburg. Because of the heavy fighting and confusion, trade and commerce decreased significantly, resulting in economic depression. The Golden Bull of 1356 established the Margrave of Brandenburg as one of the seven electors of the Holy Roman Empire.

In the late 1300s and early 1400s, Brandenburg's size decreased, as many lands and outlying areas were lost. However, beginning in the mid-1400s Brandenburg became stronger. Order was reestablished, the central government was strengthened, and important trade were reestablished. Despite the disruption of trade and commerce through highway robbers, the rulers of Brandenburg were able to bring law and order to the area. Also during this time the nobility used their power to gain rule over the peasants in their areas.