Germany, Hesse-Nassau, Civil Registers and Church Books - FamilySearch Historical Records

Title in the Language of the Records
Deutschland, Hessen Civil Anmeldung und Kirche Bücher (FamilySearch Historische Aufzeichnungen)

Record Description
This is a collection of images of civil vital records and church books filmed at the Marburg State Archive that pertain to the historical German state of Hessen-Nassau. Today, Hessen-Nassau is located primarily in Hessen with portions annexed to Rhineland-Pfalz and Thü'Images of civil vital records, church books, and Jewish vial records filmed at the Marburg State Archive that pertain to the historical German state of Hessen-Nassau, today located primarily in Hesse with portions annexed to Rhineland-Palatinate and Thuringia. The records were handwritten in narrative style and were later written into forms. The text of the records is in German.

These records are only those in the Marburg State Archives. There are other archives and holding in the state of Hessen. The Evangelische Kirchenarchiv Kurhessen und Waldeck / the Lutheran Church Archives for Kurhessen and Waldeck at Kassel includes 1,819 church books of vital records for church units in Hessen (Kurhessen, Hessen Kassel, Hessen Darmstadt, Hessen Nassau, &amp; Waldeck) reaching into the 1500s. Other sources exist as well.

The clergy were required to record the vital events (births, marriages and deaths) of people living within their jurisdiction regardless of that person’s religion. This meant that events would be recorded even if the person did not have a local religious congregation.

The records of this collection were previously microfilmed at the Marburg State Archive, which holds civil registration records, church books, Jewish vital records, and other records intermixed. However, only the civil registration and church books records are included in this digital collection.

Civil and church records were created to record important events in the lives of the people of the land. This recording of data also helped provide citizenship benefits and statistics for civil authorities.

Church and civil records are the most reliable and accurate family history sources. But it wasn’t until the year 1876 that the civil registration of births, marriages, and deaths began in all of Germany.

Citation for This Collection
The following citation refers to the original source of the data and images published on FamilySearch.org. It may 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 or baptism records include the following:


 * Names of the child, parents, and witnesses or godparents
 * Date and place of birth and baptism
 * Residence and religion of the parents
 * Occupation of the father
 * Legitimacy

The key genealogical facts found on most marriage records include the following:


 * Names of the bride, groom, their parents (usually the fathers), and witnesses
 * Date and place of marriage and marriage proclamations or banns
 * Ages of the bride and groom
 * Sometimes the dates and places of birth
 * Residences of the bride, groom, and their parents
 * Religion of the bride and groom
 * Occupations of the groom and the fathers

The key genealogical facts found on most death records include the following:


 * Names of the deceased, the spouse, and the parents
 * Date and place of death and burial
 * Age and residence of deceased
 * Sometimes the date and place of birth
 * Cause of death

How to Use the Record
In order to find data in this collection, it is necessary to know the name of the ancestor, the religion, town of the event, and approximate date of the event.

Related Wiki Articles

 * Germany Civil Registration
 * Germany Church Records

Known Issues with This Collection
The Germany, Hessen-Nassua Civil Registers and Church Books, 1701-1875 Historical Collection has been removed from the FamilySearch beta website for technical reasons. Our goal is to restore the collection at a future date. Thank you for your understanding and patience as we work to improve our services.

Citation Example for a Record Found in This Collection
“Argentina, Buenos Aires, Catholic Church Records, 1635-1981,” digital images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/: accessed 28 February, 2012), La Plata &gt; San Ponciano &gt; Matrimonios 1884-1886 &gt; image 71 of 389 images, Artemio Avendano and Clemtina Peralta, 1884; citing Parroquia de San Ponciano en la Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina, Matrimonios. San Ponciano, La Plata.