Germany, East Prussia, Königsberg, Funeral Sermons - FamilySearch Historical Records

What is in this Collection?
This collection includes recorded sermons given at funerals of people who from or died in Königsberg, East Prussia between 1597 and 1794. These sermons are unique and could include a number of different genealogically significant facts about the person who died and their family. A funeral sermon at this time was very similar to a eulogy. The sermons are typed in Fraktur Typeset, which may take little practice in reading.

Königsberg was a German city located in East Prussia at the time of these records. It is now located in present day Russia and is called Kaliningrad. Please note that typically the middle and wealthy classes were far more likely to have a funeral sermon recorded than people from the lower classes.

Reading These Records
These records are written in German. For help reading these records see:
 * German Genealogical Word List
 * Germany Handwriting
 * Brigham Young University Script Tutorial : The German Documents

Sample Images
Funeral Sermons may contain the following information:
 * Name of decedent
 * Date of death or burial
 * Places of birth and death
 * Family members
 * Life history
 * Ancestors of significance

How do I Search the Collection?
To search by image: ⇒Select "Browse through images" on the initial collection page ⇒Select the " Leichenpredigt Nummer " category which takes you to the images It is helpful to know at least one of the following: Fill in the requested information in the initial search page. This search will return a list of possible matches. Compare the information in the list to what you already know about your ancestor to determine if it is the correct family or person. You may need to compare several persons in the list before you find your ancestor.
 * Your ancestor's name
 * Residence
 * Age or birth date
 * Names of family members

I Found the Person I Was Looking For, What Now?

 * 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?

 * 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.

Research Helps
The following articles will help you in your research for your family in 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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