Germany, German Lutheran Church Records - FamilySearch Historical Records

What is in This Collection?
This collection includes records from German Lutheran parishes from the years 1701 to 1883. It includes births, marriages, and deaths. The Evangelical, or Lutheran, Church was formally established by 1531. Despite persecution by both the Catholic Church and some governments, the Lutheran Church spread throughout Germany and became a prominent religion. Lutherans are more predominant in northern Germany than in southern Germany.

Reading These Records
For help reading these German records see the following guides:
 * German Genealogical Word List

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

Birth Marriage
 * Name of child
 * Name of parents
 * Birth date and place
 * Name of other relatives (sibling, grandparent)
 * Names of bride and groom
 * Names of parents
 * Date of wedding
 * Ages of bride and groom
 * Name of officiator

Death
 * Name of deceased
 * Birth date and place
 * Death date and place
 * Names of parents
 * Date of obituary publication

Sample Images
Click on images for a larger view.

How Do I Search This Collection?
Before searching this collection, it is helpful to know:
 * Name of the person
 * Approximate date of the event

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.
 * Remember that sometimes individuals went by nicknames or alternated between using first and middle names. Try searching for these names as well.
 * 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
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.