General Chat

Hallo everybody, My gr.gr.grandfather came to England sometime in the 19th. Century. All I know for sure, is that he was born in Germany. I don't know his age or exact place of birth, or when and how he came to GB. In fact, I don't even know his name ! - he changed it to Coleman, sometime - and I don't know when, either !! All in all, not a lot to go on ! I am hoping to find my Grandfather (born in England) and work backwards from there. In the meantime, I have been noting any "maybe useful later" sites, for when the great day comes ... ! As I said before, not a lot of "hard" data on german web-sites ! There are two reasons for this: 1) the prussian bureaucrat mentality dies hard ! Data is collected 'en masse', (for instance, there is obligatory registration of domicile, within 14 days of moving, for everybody), but only "authorized" persons are allowed to see it. 2) Reading a book on german Ancestor Research, I came across this passage, The ghist of it is (my very free translation): "During the National Socialist period it was obligatory for every family to have an Ancestry Book ('Sippenbuch'). This book was a genealogical record of the family, going as far back as possible. Loyal party members were even allowed access to otherwise unavailable records, to help them fill out this book." Sounds like Genealogist's Heaven, doesn't it ! ... until you read on ....: "These books were used by the (Nazi-) Party to establish that you were a 'true' aryan. Any non-aryan blood could be more easily spotted and the whole family marked as 'suspect', discriminated against, etc. The Nazis had an 'Office for Genealogical Research' with plans for a later 'Ministry of G.R.', which would have had wide reaching powers to act upon 'unfavourable' data, and not just collect it !" I think we all know what THAT means ! Given the above, it is not surprising that for many, many decades after the war, the whole idea of genealogical research was tainted ! Having said that, here are some sites, which, on first impressions, look like they could be useful: http://www.art-science(.)com from Ken Baldry and Avis Saltsmann, includes a link to the http://www.art-science(.)com/agfhs/index.html, the Anglo-German Family History Society, which looks promising, but membership is a bit hefty ... http://iigs.rootsweb(.)com/bdm/germany/index.html, the German BDM Exchange. Sounds good, but: "Last revised 16 November 2001" !. I would guestimate about 3000 names on the whole site. Also has links to many other countries BMD-Exchanges, worldwide, with varying degrees of "updatedness" http://home.att.net/~wee-monster/ : "GermanRoots". Site describes itself as: "Resources for German Genealogy on the Internet, Research Information for Americans of German Descent". looks like lots of info, links, etc. http://www.genealogienetz.de/ : one of the "big" german genealogy sites, switchable to english. http://www.genealogienetz.de/reg/SUD/sudet_en.html ==> Germany - Sudetenland http://www.genealogienetz.de/reg/WPRU/wprus.html ==> West Prussia http://members(.)core(.)com/%7Emikerose/genealog.html : A list of links to Jewish, Polish, German and general Gen. sites. I don't know where I found it, some of the links look good, others are "broken" ... And of course, (Sandra, are you listening ?), if you have any jewish relatives, www.jewishgen.org is the place to go ! There are all sorts of genealogical projects and associated web-pages here, including online records. That's enough to start with ! If you visit any of these sites, please let us all know, what you think of it. There are probably other searchers "out there" who would also like to know. Good Hunting ! Bob

Thanks William, I never thought about that. My nana remembers having people bang on the door when she was younger, once she answered it and this bloke had a gun and was shouting abuse. They lived in London, but nana never recalled being put in a enemy thing! Chloe

I would love some tips too. My great grandparents came over around 1898, and went back sometime after 1904 and then came back around 1912!!! I would love to know how to search for naturalisation papers, and immigration records etc. Chloe

I have an even bigger problem my hubbies jewish rellies came here sometime around 1800 born in germany is all I have found so far any help would be great sandra

Jo Exactly same boat as me - mine married here in 1906 but I can't find their births so have to assume they were born in Germany. Sarah

Hi Sarah, I am also looking for births in Germany. Any information you find could you please pass on. I am at a complete loss as I dont speak German. My family came over her just before 1901. They married in this country so at least I have been able to obtain a marriage certificate but to be able to obtain birth certificates would be great. Jo

Bob Thanks for this information. Perhaps you could email me when you get back and we can pool resources to try and find out more information. I am looking for births over there at present and although I know the area, don't know where to go from there. Have a good trip! Sarah

Bob, Sarah, Would also love any tips for searching in Germany. My gg grandfather came over to England sometime between 1870 & 1877, and I can find nothing prior to his marriage in 1878. So, any advice greatly appreciated. Regards, Kate

Hi Sarah, Just to let you know, I have seen your posting. I am off on a business trip for a few days and will be in touch when I get back, but, just for starters: My Gr.Grandfather came from Germany originally. I am not searching for him yet (too many british relatives !) but I have been collecting possible web-sites for later. Be prepared for the following: there is very little On-Line data on german web-sites. Nothing like familysearch, 1837online, freeBMD, freeCEn, etc, etc. Lots of sites with addresse of archives, church offices, registry offices, etc, but very little actual data ! This is due, in part, to the aftermath of the Nazi-era. If there is any feedback on this topic, I will continue this theme and list the sites here, when I get back, otherwise, I will send them to you, privately. Till later, regards, Bob

Hi there, Does anybody know the best website or way to search for births in Germany? My family line has disappeared overseas and I am at a loss as to how to go about continuing my research... Any advice greatfully received! Thanks Sarah