Germany, Prussia, Brandenburg, Eberswalde, City Directories - FamilySearch Historical Records

Title in the Language of the Record
Deutschland, Prussia, Brandenburg, Eberswalde, Stadt-Verzeichnisse

Record Description
This collection contains city directories for the city of Eberswalde. These city directories are generally arranged alphabetically by surname and given name and provide the individual's occupation and address. Often included are classified directories of government offices and other institutions and services of public interest. Original city directories are located in the Kreisarchiv Barnim, Brandenburg, Germany. These records are in German.

Record Content
These city directory records may include the following information:


 * Full name of ancestor
 * Names of family members
 * Name of spouse
 * Residence
 * Occupation

How to Use the Record
The information varies by year; later years contain more information than the early years. Any of the following detail may be included in the record:


 * Full name
 * Address or residence
 * Birthdate and place
 * Religion
 * Nationality

How to Use the Record
Next to parish registers, citizen rolls provide some of the best family information. To begin your search you need to know at least the name of your ancestor and some identifying information such as birthdate. If you know only the age, you can approximate the birthdate. Use the birthdate and place, to locate your ancestor in church records.

The records are in written in German Gothic script. For help reading the records see the wiki articles:


 * German Word List
 * Deciphering German Script (Kurrentschrift)

Search the Collection
To search the collection, ⇒Select "Browse through images" on the initial collection page ⇒Select the appropriate “Jahr” which takes you to the images.

Search the collection by image 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.

As you are searching it is helpful to know such information as your 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 your ancestor and that your ancestor may have used nicknames or different names at different times.

Using the Information
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.

Tips to Keep in Mind
When using these records keep in mind:


 * The information may be incorrect.
 * The ages listed may not be correct.
 * A given name may not be the same as the name used in vital records.
 * Names may be spelled as they sound. Look for variant spellings of the names as well as nicknames.
 * Place-names may be misspelled.
 * Some parts of the record may be illegible.
 * If the family is not at the expected location, you should search the surrounding area.

Related Websites
West Prussia

Related Wiki Articles

 * Germany
 * Prussia - Brandenburg

Citing FamilySearch Historical Collections
When you copy information from a record, you should list where you found the information. This will help you or others to find the record again. It is also good to keep track of records where you did not find information, including the names of the people you looked for in the records.

A suggested format for keeping track of records that you have searched is found in the wiki article Help:How to Cite FamilySearch Collections.

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.

Citation Example for a Record Found in a Historical Record Collection
“Delaware Marriage Records,” index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org: accessed 4 March 2011), William Anderson and Elizabeth Baynard Henry, 1890; citing Delaware, State Marriage Records, no. 859, Delaware Bureau of Archives and Records Management, Dover.