Germany, Prussia, Pomerania, Stralsund, Church Book Indexes - FamilySearch Historical Records

What is in This Collection?
This collection includes records of alphabetically arranged cards by surname and then by given name from 1600 to 1900. Card indexes may be handwritten or type written in pre-printed cards. These records are written in German.

Images of seven card files of baptisms, marriages, deaths, and burials for Stralsund, Pomerania and the neighboring community of Voigdehagen. There are three separate files for baptisms, marriages, and deaths for Stralsund; a separate file for burials at the Klosterkirche St. Johannis, also in Stralsund; and three additional files for baptisms, marriages, and deaths for the community of Voigdehagen. The collection also includes some baptismal, marriage, and death records from the Evangelical and Catholic churches, as well as church book duplicates.

This collection indexes over 95% of the christenings, marriages, and burials that took place in Stralsund between 1600 and 1900. This card file, created by the Stadtarchiv Stralsund, was initiated in the 1930s and completed about 1980.

There are several sets of card files as follows: • 2 These indexes were created from the church books of the various parishes in Stralsburg and Voigdehagen: • 2 Beginning in 1875, civil registration books were also indexed and include records for a small amount of Jews residing in the area. The original books indexed by the card file are located in the Stadtarchiv Stralsund in Germany. In 1616, a resolution required all parish clergy to keep a separate book to record names and events which took place in their parish district.

Reading These Records
These records are written in German. For help reading them see:
 * German Language and Languages
 * German Genealogical Word List
 * Germany Handwriting
 * FamilySearch Learning Center videos:
 * German Paleography Seminar

What Can These Records Tell Me?
The following information may be found in these records:

Birth/baptism
 * Full name of child
 * Date of birth
 * Christening date and name of parish
 * Legitimacy
 * Number of child (in birth order)
 * Father’s full name, residence and occupation
 * Mother’s maiden name
 * Names of witnesses or godparents
 * Date of death (bonus information)
 * Year of the register in which event was recorded
 * Page of the register in which event was recorded

Marriage
 * Date and place of marriage
 * Groom's full name
 * Groom’s age with date and place of birth
 * Groom’s place of residence
 * Groom’s occupation
 * Bride's full name
 * Bride’s age with date and place of birth
 * Bride’s place of residence
 * Bride’s marital status
 * Year of the register in which the event was recorded
 * Page of the register in which the event was recorded

Death
 * Full name of deceased; if female, maiden name is given
 * Date and place of birth
 * Date of death
 * Cause of death
 * Age of deceased in years, months and days
 * Religion, residence and occupation of deceased
 * Year of the register in which the event was recorded
 * Page of the register in which the event was recorded

Collection Content
For more information about these records see Germany, Church Records - FamilySearch Historical Records.

How Do I Search This Collection?
Before searching this collection, it is helpful to know:
 * Name of the person
 * Approximate date of the event

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.

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?

 * Consult the Germany Record Finder to find other records
 * 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 in your research for your family in Germany.
 * Germany Research Tips and Strategies
 * Germany Record Finder

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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.

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