Germany, Hesse, Darmstadt City Records - FamilySearch Historical Records

Title in the Language of the Records
Deutschland, Hessen, Darmstadt Stadt Urkunden

Record Description
This collection will include records from 1627-1940. These records are in German/Gothic.

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.

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 Family History Library has copies on microfilm.

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

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.

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.

Section: 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 waypointed 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.

Record Content
Manumission records usually contain the following information:


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

How to Use the Record
To search the collection, ⇒Select "Browse through images" on the initial collection page ⇒Select “Event Type” ⇒Select “Year Range” ⇒Select “Surname Range and/or Volume Reference” which takes you to the images.

Look at the images one by one 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.

Next to parish and civil registers, this collection of city records provides good family information, which can be used to research the family in other vital records. To use these records, you must know how to read German Gothic script. You also need to know at least the name of your ancestor, an event date, and the approximate place of residence.

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


 * German Word List
 * Deciphering German Script (Kurrentschrift)

Related Websites

 * Gazetteer of Hessen-Darmstadt in table form
 * Germany Genweb Project

Related Wiki Articles

 * Germany
 * Germany Emigration and Immigration
 * Germany Naturalization and Citizenship
 * Germany Court Records
 * Hessen, Germany

Citing FamilySearch Historical Collections
Citations for individual image records are available for this collection. Browse through images in this collection and click on the "Show Citation" box: Germany, Hessen, Darmstadt City Records, 1627-1940

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Citation for This Collection
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Suggested citation format for a record in this collection.