Start with an exact locality, its language variants and historical jurisdiction. Changing borders make the modern country name insufficient.
Prepare your research
Historic and current place names, jurisdiction at the relevant date, denomination if known and record type. Distinguish Standesamt, local archives and Bundesarchiv enquiries.
The method, step by step
- Identify the Standesamt or repository for civil records and church archives for parish registers. The Federal Archives do not centralise all such registers.
- For federal holdings read the personal research guidance and prepare a dated request with alternate names and context.
- Use household members and witnesses to distinguish people. Preserve original place and name spellings in citations.
Choose the right repository
For civil records identify Standesamt and local repository; for church records parish and denominational archive. Bundesarchiv does not hold these registers.
Choose a route from the record you have
- Separate civil records, church registers and administrative files. Bundesarchiv does not hold ordinary civil and parish registers; begin locally for relationships.
- Keep historical place spellings. For federal files add role, body and contact period. A missing name in a national search does not close family research.
Find archives
Bundesarchiv →
The Federal Archives explain holdings useful for research on individuals, including administrative and military material within their remit. Read the collection guidance and prepare a request with identity, dates and context to help the service locate relevant records.
Church and civil registers are not all held centrally. Identify the relevant local or regional service too.
Sources & references
- Bundesarchiv ↗ (Resource review date : )