Germany, Prussia, Pomerania Church Records - FamilySearch Historical Records

Title in the Language of the Records
Deutschland, Pommern Kirche Aufzeichnungen, 1544-1945

Record Description
This collection contains church book card indexes for births, marriages, and deaths in Stralsund and the neighboring community of Voigdehagen; included are burial card indexes for the St. Johannis Church in Stralsund. The cards are arranged alphabetically in groups of approximately 1500 images each. Card indexes may be hand written or type written in pre-printed cards. The collection also includes Evangelical and some Catholic church records, and church book duplicates, of baptisms, marriages, and deaths for various areas of historical and modern Germany.

This collection indexes over 95% of the christenings, marriages, and burials that took place in Stralsund between 1619 and 1900.

This cardfile, created by the Stadtarchiv Stralsund, was initiated in the 1930s and completed about 1980.

There are several sets of cardfiles as follows:


 * Stralsund Births
 * Stralsund Marriages
 * Stralsund Deaths
 * Burials for the St. Johanniskirche
 * Voigdehagen Births
 * Voigdehagen Marriages
 * Voigdehagen Deaths

These indexes were created from the church books of the various parishes in Stralsburg and Voigdehagen:


 * St. Jakobi
 * St. Marien
 * St. Nikolai
 * Heilige Dreifaltigkeit (Roman Catholic)
 * Heilgeist (Hospital church)
 * St. Jürgen (Hospital church)

Beginning with 1875, civil registration books were also indexed which include records for some few Jews residing the area. The original books indexed by the cardfile 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. This index of available church books makes it easier to find the records of birth, marriage, and death.

This collection of church books card indexes for Stralsund, Pomerania were created from available church books. Information given varies; it may be very complete or might only have names.

For a list of records by date or locality currently published in this collection, select the Browse link from the collection landing page.

Citation for This Collection
The following citation refers to the original source of the information published in FamilySearch.org Historical Records collections. Sources include the author, custodian, publisher, and archive for the original records.

Suggested citation format for a record in this collection.

Record Content
The key genealogical facts found on most birth/baptism card index include:




 * Surname and given names
 * Date of birth
 * Date of christening
 * Legitimacy
 * Number of child (in birth order)
 * Father’s surname and given names
 * Father’s occupation
 * Father’s residence
 * Mother’s maiden name and given names
 * Mother’s age (occasionally)
 * Mother’s residence
 * Names of witnesses or godparents
 * Parish name
 * Year of the register in which the event was recorded
 * Page of the register in which the event was recorded

The key genealogical facts found on most marriage card index may include the following information:




 * Surname and given names of groom and bride
 * Marriage date
 * Marriage place
 * Groom’s date of birth
 * Groom’s place of birth
 * Groom’s place of residence
 * Groom’s occupation
 * Bride’s age
 * Bride’s place of birth
 * Bride’s place of residence
 * Bride’s marital status
 * Parish name
 * Year of the register in which the event was recorded
 * Page of the register in which the event was recorded
 * Parents’ names, with maiden name of mother, their origin, and place of residence

The key genealogical facts found on most death card index include the following information:




 * Surname and given names of deceased
 * Date of death
 * Date of burial
 * Place of death
 * Place of residence
 * Cause of death
 * Age at time of death
 * Date of birth
 * Place of birth
 * Former occupation
 * Year of the register in which the event was recorded
 * Page of the register in which the event was recorded
 * Marital status
 * Maiden name
 * Heirs
 * Cemetery name

How to Use the Records
To search the collection, select "Browse through images" on the initial collection page ⇒ Select the “Staat oder Provinz (Preußen)” ⇒ Select the “Amt oder Kreis” ⇒ Select the “Pfarrei: Dorf” ⇒ Select the "Quellengattung, Zeitraum, und Bandnummer" which takes you to the images.

Look at the images one by one comparing the information with what you already know about your ancestors to determine which one is your ancestor. You may need to compare the information about more than one person to make this determination.

This collection of index cards is of great use in genealogical research; it can be searched by surname and includes valuable genealogical data on many of the individuals included. This collection of card indexes can be searched by surname.

Known Issues with This Collection
For a full list of all known issues associated with this collection see the attached Wiki 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 Wiki Articles

 * Germany
 * Germany Church Records

Citing FamilySearch Historical Collections
When you copy information from a record, you should list where you found the information. This will help you or others to find the record again. It is also good to keep track of records where you did not find information, including the names of the people you looked for in the records.

Citation Example for a Record Found in This Collection
“Germany, Pomerania Church Records, 1544-1945,” index and images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org: accessed 14 March 2012), entry for Johann August Wilhelm, baptized 19 March 1797; citing baptizm records Image no. 160 of 169; Germany, Brandenburg, Heegermuehle, Church Records, 1664-1824. Zusammenstellung der in der Provinz Pommern vorhandenen Kirchenbücher. (Rep. 40) III 172/1-3. Landesarchiv Greifswald, Germany.

A suggested format for keeping track of records that you have searched is found in the wiki article Help:How to Cite FamilySearch Collections.