Germany, Lutheran Baptisms, Marriages, and Burials - FamilySearch Historical Records

Germany

Why Should I Look at This Collection?
Church records are the primary source of vital records prior to the enactment of civil registration. The records in this collection are from Lutheran, also known as Evangelical or Protestant churches. A small percentage of Catholic records are also found in this collection.

What is in This Collection?
This collection contains parish registers from numerous Protestant communities and military garrisons found in former or modern German territories. The records are largely organized according to historical regions and church districts that may differ from current affiliations. These parish records primarily contain information about births and baptisms, marriages, and deaths and burials. This project was done in partnership with Ancestry.com.

Reading These Records
These records are in German. For help reading these records see the German Genealogical Word List.

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

Birth  Marriage  Death 
 * Name of child
 * Gender of child
 * Name of parents
 * Birth date and place
 * Parish
 * Town
 * State or Province
 * Religion
 * Names of bride and groom
 * Bride and groom birth year
 * Bride and groom age
 * Names of parents
 * Date of wedding
 * Parish
 * Town
 * State or Province
 * Religion
 * Name of deceased
 * Gender of deceased
 * Death date and place
 * Deceased age
 * Occupation
 * Calculated birth year
 * Spouse's name
 * Names of parents
 * Date of obituary publication
 * Parish
 * Town
 * State or Province
 * Religion

How Do I Search This Collection?
Before searching this collection, it is helpful to know:
 * The name of your ancestor
 * The approximate place where they lived
 * The approximate year of the event you are looking for

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 Who I was Looking for, Now What?

 * Use the age in the marriage records 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 been born, married or died 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.
 * Church Records often were kept years before government records were required and are a good source for finding ancestors before 1900. If the officiator of a marriage or death was a minister, you may be able to determine to which religion or congregation your ancestor belonged. Look for church records of the birth, marriage, or death which may provide more information on the family.

I Can't Find Who I'm Looking for, Now What?

 * Switch to a different record collection. Depending on the time period, German Civil Registration records or German Church records may be useful.
 * 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.
 * Research Tips and Strategies
 * Germany Record Finder

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