Germany, Saxony, Freiberg, Funeral Sermons - FamilySearch Historical Records

Title in the Language of the Records
Deutschland, Sachsen, Freiberg Leichenpredigten,

Record Description
This collection will include records from 1614 to 1661.

This collection includes funeral sermons (leichenpredigten) housed in the Andreas-Möller Bibliothek in Freiberg, Saxony, Germany. These sermons were generally prepared and given by ministers at the grave site for the wealthier and some middle class people. They usually contain information such as names, dates, places, relatives, life histories, and sometimes pedigrees for many generations. The information is subject to error as it was reported by relatives who did not always remember facts accurately. Sermons (talks) were written to honor a dead person and were adapted to the family and social context; it contains a vita, also called curriculum vitae (personalschriften), meaning a brief biographical sketch. Sermons were printed privately and distributed to commemorate the deceased person. These sermons are handwritten in German.

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

Record Content
Records may contain the following information found in funeral sermons:
 * Names
 * Dates
 * Places
 * Relatives
 * Sometimes a pedigree

How to Use the Record
To search the collection, ⇒Select "Browse through images" on the initial collection page ⇒Select "Volume number” ⇒Select “Funeral Sermon” which takes you to the images.

Search the collection by image 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.

Use this index to help you learn more about your ancestors. The information could help you identify family relationships and lineages as well as direct you to original records of your ancestors, which may contain additional information.

For Help Reading These Records
These records are in German. For help reading the records, see thefollowing wiki articles:


 * German Word List
 * German Language and Languages

Related Websites
Biographies in Early Modern Germany

Related Wiki Articles

 * Germany
 * Germany Obituaries
 * German Word List
 * Sachsen (Saxony) - Konigrreich (Kingdom)

Citations for This Collection
When you copy information from a record, you should list where you found the information; that is, cite your sources. This will help people find the record again and evaluate the reliability of the source. 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. Citations are available for the collection as a whole and each record or image individually.

Collection Citation:

Image Citation: