Brandenburg, German Empire Civil Registration

Civil registration records are records of births, marriages, and deaths kept by the government. In Brandenburg, they were started in 1874. German terms for these records include Standesamtsregister, Zivilstandsregister, or Personenstandsregister. They are an excellent source for information on names and dates and places of births, marriages, and deaths. These records are kept by the civil registrar (Standesbeamte) at the civil registry office (Standesamt). Study these links to learn what information can be found in them:
 * Births (Geburtsregister)
 * Marriages (Heiraten, Ehen, or Trauungen)
 * Deaths (Sterberegister or Totenregister)

For a comprehensive understanding of civil registration, study the article Germany Civil Registration.

Determining the Location of a Civil Registration Office
Research your town name in MeyersGaz.org to find the location of the registry office (Standesamt). It is indicated by the abbreviation "StdA". This is the Standesamt location you will use when searching for civil registration records anywhere in the FamilySearch catalog and collections. Ancestry.com collections will also use this location name. Records in archives will use this location prior to the consolidation of registration offices in the 1970's.'''

'''However, some of the offices were merged in 1970's, so the modern record location might be different than that listed in MeyersGaz. When writing for records, first find the modern registrar for your town.'''
 * To find the current Standesamt, go to the German Wikipedia, and enter the name of the town in the search box. An article about the town will start with a first line such as: "Besse with about 3200 inhabitants is the largest district of the municipality Edermünde...." It is probable that the Standesamt is now located in the larger municipality (in this example, Edermünde).
 * For larger towns which constitute a municipality:
 * To find the current Standesamt, go to the German Wikipedia, and enter the name of the town in the search box.
 * This type of article will not state that the town belongs to another municipality, because it is itself a municipality.


 * To e-mail the municipality to verify that the civil registry for your town is there.
 * Consult this address list for the exact contact information, which should include an e-mail address: Standesamt.com. In the horizontal menu bar, hover over "+registry office" or "+Standesämter", then the name of the modern state, for a drop-down list of links to modern cilvil registrars.
 * Send a message asking whether you have the correct office for your ancestors' home town. You can also use e-mail to request records and arrange payment. Use the German Letter Writing Guide to write your questions in German.

Standesamt I Berlin
For the Neumark: Standesamt I Berlin officially holds the civil registration information for the former areas of Germany.

Privacy Laws
Since 2009, birth records have been public after 110 years, marriages after 80 years and deaths after 30 years. A direct relationship (direct descendants and direct ancestors) to the subject of the record sought will be required in cases where the required time period has not yet elapsed. Even then, the records may be accessible if it can be shown that all "participating parties" have died at least 30 years ago. Participating parties are both parents and the child in birth records, and both spouses in a marriage.

Finding Civil Registration Records
In this region, part of Germany which was lost to other countries after World War II, many records, both church/parish registers and civil registration records, were damaged, destroyed, or misplaced.

1. Online Records

 * Brandenburgische Genealogische Gesellschaft (BGG) "Roter Adler" eV: Standesämter im Forschungsgebiet/Registry offices in the research area, index and images. Registration of all registry offices in the historical Brandenburg as well as name index for their births, weddings and deaths.

Ancestry.com ($)
Ancestry.com can be searched free of charge at your local Family History Center.
 * Eastern Prussian Provinces, Germany (Poland), Selected Civil Vitals, 1874-1945, index and images, incomplete. For the Neumark region. In the right sidebar under "Browse this collection", open the drop-down "Civil Rigistration Oiffice" list to see if your office is covered. Use the office from the time of the German Empire, as listed in the 1871 Meyer's Gazetteer.


 * These records for Angermünde cover: Altkünkendorf, Angermünde, Biesenbrow, Bruchhagen, Crussow, Frauenhagen, Gellmersdorf, Greiffenberg, Güntersberg, Neukünkendorf, Polssen, Steinhöfel, and Stolpe.
 * Angermünde Births, 1874-1903---Marriages, 1874-1923---Deaths, 1874-1950, index and images.


 * These records for Barnim County (Kreis) cover: Biesenthal, Biesenthaler Forst, Blumberg, Britz, Brodowin, Chorinchen, Eberswalde, Eichhorst, Golsow, Gross Schönebeck, Grüntal, Heegermühle, Hohenfinow, Klosterfelde, Lanke, Lichterfelde, Liepe, Löhme, Lunow, Mehrow, Mehrow and Ahrensfelde, Niederfinow, Oderberg, Parstein, Pechteich, Ruhlsdorf, Schönerlinde, Schönerwalde, Stolzenhagen, Trampe, Wandlitz, Werbellin, Werneuchen, Willmersdorf, Wolfswinkel, and Zerpenschleuse.
 * Barnim County (Kreis) Births, 1874-1906---Marriages, 1874-1936, index and images. For deaths, see Eberswalde.


 * These records for Berlin cover: Adlershof, Alt Glienecke, Berlin Districts I-XII a and b, Berlin-Lichtenberg II, Biesdorf, Blankenfelde, Blankenfelde und Rosenthal, Blankenfelde und Schildow, Bohnsdorf, Boxhagen-Rummelsburg, Britz, Buch, Buchholz, Buckow, Charlottenburg, Dahlem, Dalldorf-Wittenau, Deutsch-Willmersdorf, Falkenberg, Friedenau, Friedrichsfelda, Friedrichshagen, Frohnau, Grunau, Grünau und Müggelheim, Grunewald, Grunewald Forst, Haselhorst, Hasenheide (see Tempelhof), Heerstrasse, Heiligensee, Heinersdorf, Hellersdorf, Hermsdorf, Hohenschönhausen, Johannisthal, Karlshorst, Kaulsdorf, Kietz bei Köpeneck, Kolonie Grunewald, Königlich Spandauer Forst, Köpenick, Köpenick Forst, Lankwitz, Lichtenberg, Lichtenrade, Lichterfelde, Lubars-Waidmannslust, Malsdorf, Malchow, Mariendorf, Marienfelde, Marzahn, Müggelheim, Neu Rahnsdorf, Neukölln, Niederschoeneweide, Niederschönhausen, Nikolassee, Oberschoeneweide, Pankow, Pfaueninsel, Pichelsdorf, Plotzensee, Rahnsdorf, Reineckendorf, Rixdorf, Risenthal, Ruhleben, Rimmelsburg, Schildow, Schmargendorf, Schmöckwitz, Schöneberg, Spandau, Staaken, Steglitz, Sternfeld, Stralau, Tegel, Tegel Schloss und Forst, Tempelhof, Treptow, Wannsee, Weissensee, Wilhemshagen, Wilmersdorf, and Zehlendorf.
 * Berlin Births, 1874-1906---Marriages, 1874-1920---Deaths, 1874-1920, index and images.


 * These records for Dahme-Spreewald cover: Bornsdorf, Langengrassau, and Wehnsdorf.
 * Dahme-Spreewald Births, 1874-1899---Marriages, 1874-1928--- Deaths, 1874-1950, index and images.


 * These records for Eberswalde cover: Ahrensfelde, Altenhof (Werbellin), Amt Neuendorf, Basdorf, Biesenthal, Biesenthaler Forst, Blumberg, Britz, Brodowin, Chorin, Chorin (Sandkrug), Chorin (Theerofen Forsthaus), Chorin (Neuehütte), Chorinchen, Eberswalde, Eiche, Eiche (Hellersdorf), Eiche (Mehrow), Eichhorst, Finow, Finowfort, Golsow, Gross Schönebeck, Grüntal, Grüntal (Sydow), Heegermühle, Hirschfelde, Hohenfinow, Klosterfelde, Kupferhammer, Kwydzin, Lanke, Lichterfelde, Liepe, Lindenberg, Löhme, Lunow, Mehrow, Niederfinow, Oderberg, Parstein, Prenden, Rüdnitz, Ruhlsdorf, Schönerlinde, Schönerwalde, Schöpfurth, Schwanebeck, Spechthausen, Steinfurth, Stolzenhagen, Trampe, Vorwerk Steinberg, Wandlitz, Werbellin, Werneuchen, Willmersdorf, Wolfswinkel, Zepernick, and Zerpenschleuse.
 * Eberswalde, Germany, death register 1874-1966, index and images. For births and marriages, see Barnim County (Kreis).


 * These records for Ostprignitz-Ruppin cover: Alt Ruppin, Babitz, Bantikow, Barsikow, Bechlin, Blasindorf, Blumenthal, Breddin, Brunne, Dabergotz (Kränzlibn), Dabergotz (Werder), Dessow, Dierberg, Dossow, Dransa, Dreetz, Fehrbellin, Flecken Zechlin, Fretzdorf, Freyenstein, Friedenshorst, Gadow, Ganzer, Garz, Gross Zetlang, Heiligengrabe, Herzberg, Katerbow, Königsberg, Köritz, Kyritz, Lindow, Linow, Linum, Lohm, Manker (Lüchfeld), Mechow, Nackel, Neuendorf, Neuglienicke, Neuruppin, Neustadt/Dosse, Papenbruch, Plänitz, Radensleben, Rheinberg, Roddahn, Rüthnick, Schönberg, Schönermark, Segeletz, Sieversdorf, Teetz, Vielitz, Walchow, Walsleben, Wildberg, Wittstock, Wulfersdorf, Wusterhausen/Dosse, Wustrau, Wuthenow, Zaatzke, Zechlinerhütte, Zempow, and Zernitz. 
 * Ostprignitz-Ruppin Births, 1874-1905---Marriages, 1874-1935---Deaths, 1874-1971, index and images.


 * These records for "Prenzlau cover: Dedelow, Klinkow, Prenzlau, and Seelübbe.'''
 * Prenzlau Births, 1874-1901---Marriages, 1874-1923---Deaths, 1874-1950, index and images.


 * Landkreis Teltow-Fläming with Blankenfelde-Mahlow Births, 1874-1903---Marriages, 1874-1923---Deaths, 1874-1968, index and images.

2. Digital Copies of Civil Registration From FamilySearch
Try to find records in the collection of the FamilySearch Library. Many microfilms have been digitized for online viewing. Gradually, everything will be digitized, so check back occasionally. Some have viewing restrictions, and can only be viewed at the Family History Centers near you, and/or by members of supporting organizations. To find records:
 * a. Click on the Places within Germany, Preussen, Brandenburg drop-down menu and select your town.
 * b. Click on the "Civil registration" topic. Click on the blue links to specific record titles.
 * c. Choose the correct record type and time period for your ancestor. "Geburten" are births. Heiraten are marriages.  "Verstorbene" are deaths.
 * d. Some combination of these icons will appear at the far right of the microfilm listed for the record. FHL icons.png. The magnifying glass indicates that the microfilm is indexed. Clicking on the magnifying glass will take you to the index. Clicking on the camera will take you to an online digital copy of the microfilm.

3. Writing for Civil Registration Certificates
Civil registration records for Germany can be obtained by writing to the local civil registry (Standesamt) or the district archives. Records may have been lost at one location of the other, so you might end up checking both. The first office you contact might choose to forward your request to the other location if necessary.

Local Standesamt Addresses

 * Brandenburg Standesamt Addresses

Write a brief request in German to the proper office using this address as guide, replacing the information in parentheses:


 * An das Standesamt
 * (Insert street address, if known.)
 * (Postal Code) (Name of Locality)
 * GERMANY


 * Click herefor postal code help for Germany.

How to write a letter: Detailed instruction for what to include in the letter, plus German translations of the questions and sentences most frequently used are in the German Letter Writing Guide.'''

Standesamt I Berlin
For the Neumark: Standesamt I Berlin officially holds the civil registration information for the former areas of Germany.

Rückerstrasse 9 10119 Berlin Germany
 * Website
 * Instructions for ordering a birth certificate for a birth in a former German territory
 * Instructions for ordering a marriage certificate for a marriage in a former German territory
 * This civil registration office has at its disposal an index called "Standesregister und Personenstandsbücher der Ostgebiete im Standesamt I Berlin".
 * Two more indexes called "Kirchenbücher und Personenstandregister in polnischen Staatsarchiven" (church books and civil registration indexes in Polish State Archives) and "Deutsche Personenstandsbücher und Personenstandseinträge von Deutschen in Polen" (Civil Registration records of Germans in Poland) give further information about ancestors who lived in Posen.

4. State Archives
Duplicate registers from some towns are kept in state archives. Many of these records have been microfilmed and are available at the Family History Library. However, for more recent records and for those not yet microfilmed, you may write to the state archives of Germany and request searches of the records. See Germany Archives and Libraries. If the archivist cannot do the research your request, you can hire a professional genealogist to search the records for you. Here are the addresses for the state and district archives, should you decide to write there instead of or in addition to the local Standesamt. Brandenburg National Archives Potsdam An der Orangerie 3 14469 Potsdam Germany (Postal address: Postfach 600499, 14404 Potsdam) Tel. 0331/292971, Fax: 0331/292971 Brandenburgisches Landeshauptarchiv Service Am Mühlenberg 3 14476 Potsdam, OT Golm Germany Postal address: Postfach 600449 14404 Potsdam Germany Phone: 0331 5674-0 Fax: 0331 5674-212 E-mail: poststelle@blha.brandenburg.de
 * You can send a simple email to inquire whether the archive has the civil registration for the locality you want.
 * Advance reservations and advance ordering of records you wish to study is required.
 * Click here to search Brandenburg State Archives holdings. Go to “Suche”. Choose "Full text search. Enter keyword, such as a locality, a name, or both. Click ”Suchen”.

Town Genealogies (Ortssippenbuch or Ortsfamilienbuch)
See the class and the Wiki article, Germany Town Genealogies and Parish Register Inventories on the Internet. Published town genealogies, Ortssippenbuch (town lineage book) or Ortsfamilienbuch (town family book), generally include birth, marriage, and death data for all persons found in the local records during a specified time period, compiled into families based on the opinion of the author. 'If one is available, it should only be used as an index or guide'' to finding the original records. They usually contain errors. Always verify their information in original records.
 * Over 620 online town genealogies are currently accessible at Online Ortsfamilienbücher.
 * A list of published Ortssippenbücher is found at:Category: Family Book on the same website.


 * For more information and online searchable collections of town genealogy books, by region, see Germany Town Genealogies and Parish Register Inventories on the Internet.
 * A bibliography of OFBs held by the Central Office for Person and Family History, and available in their archive in Frankfurt am Main-Höchst, is listed here. You can arrange for copied pages to be sent to you for a fee or donation. Use the "Find" function on your keyboard to search the bibliographies, as they are not alphabetical.
 * Brandenburgische Genealogische Gesellschaft (BGG) "Roter Adler" eV: Ortsfamilienbücher/Local Heritage Books, images

German Records

 * It's easier than you think! You do not have to be fluent in French and German to use these records, as there is only a limited vocabulary used in them. By learning a few key phrases, you will be able to read them adequately.  Here are some resources for learning to read German records.
 * German Genealogical Word List


 * These video webinars will teach you to read German handwriting:
 * Old German Script Part 1
 * Old German Script Part 2
 * Old German Script (German Church and Civil Records) Part 3
 * German Script Tutorial


 * List of Names in Old German Script A comprehensive list of German given names,  written in old script, with possible variations.
 * Old German Script Transcriber (alte deutsche Handschriften): See your family names in the script of the era. Type your name or other word into the font generator tool. Click on the 8 different fonts. Save the image to your computer and use it as you work with old Germanic records.

Search Strategy

 * Search for the relative or ancestor you selected. When you find their birth record, search for the births of their brothers and sisters.
 * Next, search for the marriage of their parents. The marriage record will have information that will often help you find the birth records of the parents.
 * Search the death registers for all known family members.
 * The marriage certificate will show the birth date, birth place, and parents of the bride and the groom.
 * Repeat this process for both the father and the mother, starting with their birth records, then their siblings' births, then their parents' marriages, and so on.
 * If earlier generations (parents, grandparents, etc.) do not appear in the records, search neighboring parishes.