Category: German Genealogy

6 Websites for Deciphering Old German Script

Text in German genealogy records can be difficult. Here are six free websites (plus bonus alphabet chart!) for deciphering Old German script.

A Quick Guide to German Genealogy Groups

Connect to a network of researchers with German genealogy groups! This quick guide from German expert James M. Beidler will get you started.

How Genealogy in Germany Compares to US Genealogy

Many US genealogists have German ancestors. But genealogy in Germany—for Germans themselves—often looks different than it does in the United States. German expert James M. Beidler discusses how research in the two countries differs.

When Multiple German Towns Have the Same Name

When researching German family history, it's not uncommon to discover that there may be more than one town known by the same name. Here are tips for deciphering which town is the one your ancestors resided in.

Searching for Your German Ancestral Village

Knowing the exact German village your ancestors came from can make all the difference in your genealogy research. Here are some tips for tracing yours.

Now What: Shifting Borders and Genealogy Records

Shifting country borders can make tracking down your ancestors genealogy records extra tricky. David A. Fryxell discusses the once disputed area Schleswig-Holstein, and where to start your records search.

free family tree chart

Trace Your German Ancestors with Compgen

On the free Compgen.de website, local genealogists serve up a wealth of German records and research know-how. We’ll show you around the site.

3 Ways the War on German Language Impacts Genealogy Research

World War I was a time of huge cultural change for German-Amercians, especially when it came to language. Learn how this precarious time could affect your German-language genealogy research.

Historical Research Maps: Understanding German States

Track your Deutsche ancestors before the first unified German Empire with this map of the German city-states and kingdoms in 1865.

How to Find Your German Hometown

Ich bin ein Münchner? I wanted to discover where my German ancestors came from. Here's how I tried to find my German hometown.

How to Use Meyers Gazetteer to Find German Places

Track down your German ancestors' hometown with Meyers Gazetteer, one of the most useful geographical resources.

Keys to Learning to Read German Script

If you're researching ancestors with German-speaking heritage, learning to read the script in documents is key. Check out this pro tip to get started!

Records + Documents

Get Started

North America

Europe

DNA

Heritage

German Genealogy