Germany, Prussia, Saxony, Various Protestant Church Records - FamilySearch Historical Records

Germany Saxony-Anhalt

What is in this Collection?
This collection of records from 1594-1951 will contain handwritten transcriptions of Protestant church records for several parishes in Saxony, Prussia. Parishes include Bibra, Burgholzhausen, Eckartsberga, Gößnitz, Kalbitz, Lißdorf, Marienthal, Niederholzhausen, Plesimar, Seena, Taugwitz, and Wallroda.

Sample Images
Click on images for a larger view.

Reading These Records
These records are written in German. Many of the records are written in the German Gothic script; for help reading this style of writing, see the Germany Handwriting page.

What Can These Records Tell Me?
Birth/baptism records may contain the following information: Marriage records may contain the following information: Death records may contain the following information:
 * Name of child
 * Names of parents
 * Mother's maiden name
 * Names of witnesses
 * Date of baptism
 * Name of bride and groom
 * Names of groom's parents
 * Names of bride's parents
 * Sometimes names of grandparents
 * Age of bride and groom
 * Information about witnesses
 * Place of residence
 * Date of marriage
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 * Name of deceased
 * Name of spouse (if married or widowed)
 * Name of parents (if child or single woman)
 * Age at time of death
 * Place of residence
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How Do I Search This Collection?
It is helpful to know at least one of the following:
 * Your ancestor's name
 * Residence
 * Age or birth date
 * Names of family members

Fill in the requested information in the initial search page. This search will return a list of possible matches. Compare the information in the list to what you already know about your ancestor to determine if it is the correct family or person. You may need to compare several persons in the list before you find your ancestor.

To search by image: ⇒Select "Browse" link in the initial search page ⇒Select "City or Town" category ⇒Select "Religion and Parish" category ⇒Select "Record type and Year range" category which takes you to the images

What do I do next?
Whenever possible, view the original records to verify the information and to find additional information that might not be reported. These pieces of information can lead you to additional records and family members.

I Found Who I was Looking for, Now What?

 * Use the age in the citizen 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 Who I'm Looking for, Now What?

 * 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.
 * Remember that sometimes individuals went by nicknames or alternated between using first and middle names. Try searching for these names as well.
 * Search the indexes and records of local genealogical societies.

Citations for This Collection
Citing your sources makes it easy for others to find and evaluate the records you used. When you copy information from a record, list where you found that information. Here you can find citations already created for the entire collection and for each individual record or image.

Collection Citation:

Image Citation