Germany, Hesse, Darmstadt City Records - FamilySearch Historical Records

Title in the Language of the Records
Deutschland, Hessen, Darmstadt Stadt Urkunden

Record Description
This collection will include records from 1627-1940. These records are written in German.

Records in this collection include population registers, certificates of citizenship, recordings of citizens and residents, and emigration records. The information is handwritten horizontally in two pages of columns in a ledger-type format.

To keep a record of the population, the city called heads of households to assemble at the local civil office, almost yearly, to provide their personal information, which was counted as a basic unit. This listing is called “volkszahlung” (local population census).

The city also kept a similar register listing all the citizens who moved to other localities. This register was called “abmeldungen” (relocation list). If the record was from a citizenship roll, it was called a cancellation list.

Although the heads of households were admonished to comply, these procedures were not enforced. Therefore, these records may not cover the entire population.

The original records are preserved at the German State Archives in Darmstadt. The Family History Library has copies on microfilm.

For a list of record categories currently published in this collection, select the Browse link from the collection landing page.

This collection of city records includes: Town records for 1716-1884; Emigration and immigration records for 1805-1940; Naturalization/Citizenship for 1821-1938; and Population registers for 1627-1939.

These records were created mainly to have a record of people leaving town and to count the number of residents.

This census collection is a reliable source of information for genealogical purposes; however, the accuracy of the information is dependent upon the knowledge of the informant and the way it was recorded by the civil officer.

Section: Aufnahmen von Buergern und Beisassen (Acceptance of citizens and residents)
This collection consists of loose sheets arranged alphabetically by last name and then to some extent by given name. Given names are not in strict alphabetical order. Each numbered batch consists of approximately 40-50 entries and is labeled with a range of names. Each way pointed record set includes several batches. For example, the label "B-E (ST12-11-Nr-64-70)" means that this group includes entries for surnames beginning with "B" through "E" of the archive signature "ST12-11" and batches number 64 to 70.

Record Content
Citizenship/naturalization records usually contain the following information:


 * Name of applicant
 * Age of applicant
 * Occupation of applicant
 * Reasons for citizenship application
 * Date and place of issue

Citizenship application status records usually contain the following information:


 * Name of applicant
 * Place of origin
 * Status of application
 * Date and place of issue

Manumission records usually contain the following information


 * Name of subject
 * Place of origin
 * Manumission request status

How to Use the Record
This section provides information on how to search the collection, where to go for help reading the records, what to do with information once found, and some tips on how to find records.

When searching: As you are searching, it is helpful to know such information as your ancestor’s given name and surname, some identifying information such as residence, age, and time period in which the ancestor lived.

Search the Collection
To browse by image: ⇒Select "Browse through images" on the initial collection page ⇒Select “Event Type” category ⇒Select “Year Range” category ⇒Select “Name range or Description” category which takes you to the images.

Search the collection by image comparing the information with what you already know about your ancestors to determine if the image relates to them. You may need to look at several images and compare the information about the individuals listed in those images to your ancestors to make this determination.

For Help Reading These Records
These records are in German. For help with reading the records, see the following resources:


 * German Word List
 * Deciphering German Script (Kurrentschrift)
 * German Script Tutorial

Using the Information

 * Use the estimated age to calculate a birth date.
 * Use the occupation as an additional identifier to help differentiate between individuals of similar names.
 * Use the place of origin to help locate other records.

Tips to Keep in Mind

 * When looking for a person who had a common name, look at all the entries for the name before deciding which is correct.
 * Remember that there may be more than one person in the records with the same name as your ancestor and that your ancestor may have used nicknames or different names at different times.
 * Be aware that, as with any index, transcription errors may occur.

Known Issues with This Collection
For a full list of all known issues associated with this collection see the attached article. If you encounter additional problems, please email them to [mailto:support@familysearch.org support@familysearch.org]. Please include the full path to the link and a description of the problem in your e-mail. Your assistance will help ensure that future reworks will be considered.

Related Websites

 * Gazetteer of Hessen-Darmstadt in table form
 * Germany Genweb Project

Learning Center Resources:


 * My Ancestors Are from Germany, and I Don't Speak German!
 * German Script Tutorial
 * Germany Beginning Research Series Lesson 1: Getting Started
 * Germany Beginning Research Series Lesson 2: Learn about Historical Background
 * Germany Beginning Research Series Lesson 3: Using Maps, Gazetteers and Websites
 * German Church and Civil Records

Related Wiki Articles

 * Germany Genealogy
 * Germany Emigration and Immigration
 * Germany Naturalization and Citizenship
 * Germany Court Records

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