Germany, Hesse, Darmstadt City Records - FamilySearch Historical Records

What is in This Collection?
This collection will include records from 1627-1940. 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. For help reading these records, see Germany Handwriting. 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.

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 FamilySearch Library has copies on microfilm.

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.

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.

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:

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

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

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

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
 * Consult the Germany Record Finder to find other records

Research Helps
The following articles will help you research your family in Germany.
 * Germany Research Tips and Strategies
 * Germany Record Finder

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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