Resources for German Genealogical Research

NOTE: Prices do not include postage and handling (usually about $3.50 per item) nor tax (where applicable).
If no address is given, check under helpful addresses.

  1. Some General Works
  2. Eakle, Arlene and Johni Cerni. The Source: A Guidebook of American Genealogy. Ancestry, Inc. $50.00
  3. Guide to Genealogical Research in the National Archives. Order from National Archives Trust Fund, Atlanta, GA or from Ancestry, Inc.
  4. Handy Book for Genealogists. Eighth Edition. Everton Publishers, Genealogy Unlimited, or Frontier Press. $32.00.
  5. Cerny, Johni and Wendy Elliott. The Library: A Guide to the LDS Family History Library. Ancestry, Inc. Currently out of print.
  6. Kennedy, Imogene Kinard and J. Leon Kennedy. Genealogical Records in Texas. Genealogical Publishing Co. Currently out of print? but try Frontier Press.
  7. Carefoot, Jean. Guide to Genealogical Resources in the Texas State Archives. Texas State Library, Archives Division, P.O. Box 12927, Austin, TX 78711, or Frontier Press. $7.50.
  8. Texas County Records. Guide to records available on microfilm through interlibrary loan. Local Records Division, Texas State Library, P.O. Box 12927, Austin, TX 78711. $20.00. Also, Frontier Press, $27.50.

    German Genealogy, General Works

  9. Jensen, Larry. A Genealogical Handbook of German Research. Jensen Publications. Vol I Rev. 1996, $17.00. Vol II to be revised at the end of 1996; Vol. III planned. (Earlier ed. film 1,181,765 item 4, fiche 6000366-8)
  10. Schweitzer, George K. German Genealogical Research. From Ancestry, Inc., Genealogy Unlimited, or from the author, 407 Regency Court, Knoxville, TN 37923. $18.00.
  11. Germanic Genealogy: A Guide to Worldwide Sources and Migration Patterns, Second Edition. Germanic Genealogical Society. $32.00 + $4.00 s&h.
  12. "German Research Outline", 52 pages from LDS, item #34061. Order from Salt Lake Distribution Center, 1999 West 1700 South, Salt Lake City, UT 84104-4233 or at your local FHC. 75 cents.
  13. The German Research Companion by Shirley Reimers. Lorelei Press, P.O. Box 221356, Sacramento, CA 95822. $34.95 ppd.
  14. The German Researcher: How to Get the Most Out of an LDS Family History Center. By Dearden and Dearden. From Genealogy Unlimited. $14.00.
  15. German Genealogical Digest. Quarterly, P.O. Box 112054, Salt Lake City, UT 84147. $24.00 per year. Back issues available at $8.00 each. (Index 1985 - 1993 in Vol 10 No 1)
  16. Dougherty, Richard A. "Germany and Central Europe". Chapter 19, pp. 535 - 552, 579, in Cerny and Elliott, The Library: A Guide to the LDS Family History Library. See #5 above.

    Special Topics/Areas in German Research

  17. Wellauer, Maralyn A. Family History Research in the German Democratic Republic. Roots International. $10.00.
  18. Genealogical Guide to German Ancestors from East Germany and Eastern Europe. (AGoFF Wegweiser) English edition, 1984. New German edition ca. 1992. Verlag Deneger & Co. See item #42 for address.
  19. Ribbe, Wolfgang, and Eckhart Henning. Taschenbuch für Familiengeschichtsforschung. In German. 10th edition. From Genealogy Unlimited. $50.00. Send SASE for Table of Contents in English.
  20. Cerni, Johni. A Guide to German Parish Registers in the Family History Library of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Volume One: Baden, Bavaria, Wuerttemberg. Genealogical Publishing Co. Currently out of print; planned Volumes Two and Three not yet published.
  21. Smith, Kenneth L. German Church Books: Beyond the Basics. Picton Press, P.O. Box 1111, Camden, ME 04843. $29.50.
  22. Hall, Charles. Atlantic Bridge to Germany. Ten Volumes. Everton Publishers, Inc.

    Order #3 from author, 4874 S. 1710 East, Salt Lake City, UT 84171.

    Atlases, Maps, and Gazetteers

  23. RV Auto Atlas Deutschland (United Germany). 1995/96 Edition. Scale is 1:200,000. Genealogy Unlimited, $30.00.
  24. Maps of the German Empire of 1871. Revised 1987. Includes history of each territory. Jensen Publications. $15 ppd.
  25. Atlas of the German Empire 1892. Genealogy Unlimited. $30.00.
  26. Thode, Ernest. Atlas for Germanic Genealogy. From the author, RR 7, Box 306GH, Marietta, OH 45750. Price?
  27. Copies of historic maps available from Genealogy Unlimited or Jonathan Sheppard; write for catalog and price list. See also LDS microfilm #068,814.
  28. Uetrecht, E. comp. Meyers Orts- und Verkehrs-Lexikon des Deutschen Reichs. Leipzig: Bibliographisches Institut, 1912. In German. LDS book: Ref 943 E5mo; microfilm: #496,640 places A-K, #496,641 places L-Z; microfiche: #6,000,001 - 6,000,029.
  29. "Using the Meyers Orts- und Verkehrs-Lexikon". 3-page instruction and translation of abbreviations. Germanic Genealogy Society. 30 cents.
  30. Müller, Joachim. Müllers Grosses Deutsches Ortsbuch. 8th edition, 1984. In German. 1958 edition: LDS book: Ref 943 E5m 1958; LDS microfilm: #1,045,448; microfiche: 6,000,343 - 6,000,354.
  31. "Müllers Grosses Deutsches Ortsbuch". Translation of key abbreviations, 3 pages. Germanic Genealogical Society. 30 cents.

    Addresses and Letter Writing

  32. Thode, Ernst. Address Book for German Genealogy. Sixth edition, 1997. Genealogy Unlimited, Frontier Press, or from the author, RR 7, Box 306GH, Marietta, OH 45750. $25.00.
  33. German Repoitories for Genealogists. Immigrant Genealogical Society $15.00 + 2.00 shipping.
  34. Das Postleitzahlebuch-Alphabetisch geordnet. New (1993) postal code directory for Germany. In German. Genealogy Unlimited. $15.00. Includes translation of instruction pages.
  35. Postleitzahlen-Übersichtskarte der Postleiteinheiten. New (1993) postal code map to accompany above postal code directory. Genealogy Unlimited. $7.50. NOTE: if the 1993 postal code book and map are ordered together, the price is $20.00 for the set.
  36. German Letter Writing Guide. 3 pages from LDS, item #34066. Order from Salt Lake Distribution Center, 1999 West 1700 South, Salt Lake City, UT 84104-4233. 25 cents.

    Words, Names and Handwriting

  37. A German-English disctionary; German grammar book (from college bookstore); German phrase book (such as Barron's).
  38. German Word List. Forthcoming from LDS, item #34067. Order from Salt Lake Distribution Center, 1999 West 1700 South, Salt Lake City, UT 84104-4233. 25 cents.
  39. Thode, Ernest. German-English Genealogical Dictionary. Genealogical Publishing Co., or Genealogy Unlimited. $30.00.
  40. Bahlow, Hans. Deutsches Namenlexikon. In German. Not available in USA? English translation: Dictionary of German Names by Hans Bahlow translated by Edda Gentry. Max Kade Institute for German-American Studies, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 901 University Bay Dr., Madison, WI 53705. $22.50.
  41. Jones, George H. German-American Names. Genealogy Publishing Co., or Genealogy Unlimited. $25.00.
  42. Benz, Edna. If I Can You Can Decipher Germanic Records. Revised 1987. Genealogy Unlimited. $16.50 plus 3.50 pkg/pstge...plus 1.28 sls tax in CA...5.00 for overseas shipment.
  43. Witter's Deutsche-Englische Schreib- und Lese-Fibel für Amerikanische Freischulen. Reprint 1987 by Indiana German Heritage Society, Inc. Order: NCSA Literatur, Rt 5, Box 175, Nashville, TN 47448. $5.00.
  44. The German Card (German alphabet, symbols, resources, words, US SOUNDEX, etc.) Sacramento German Genealogy Society, $3.00 plus #10 SASE with 32-cent stamp.

    Special Helps

  45. Familienkundliche Nachrichten (FANA). Queries published six times a a year by Verlag Deneger & Co., Postfach 1350, 91403 Neustadt/Aisch, Germany. Individuals may place queries in this publication that is distributed with German genealogical journals. You may write a brief letter in English and they will bill you, generally around $25 - 30.00. For surnames previously published, check with GGSA or IGS.
  46. Familiengeschichtliche Quellen. 13-volume family name index of family histories published in Germany. Compiled 1926 - 50 by Oswald Spohr, reprinted by Franz Heinzmann Verlag, Am Gengelsträßchen 10, 40404 Düsseldorf, Germany. LDS book: 943 B2fg; LDS microfilm: #547,171, #496,680 - 496,682.
  47. Glenzdorfs Internationales Genealogen Lexikon. Over 3,500 German genealogists, over 100,000 surnames and 16,000 places. Check with German Genealogical Society of America or Immigrant Genealogical Society.
  48. Ahnenlistenkartei. Indexed ancestral charts. Check with German Genealogical Society of America or Immigrant Genealogical Society.
  49. Deutschen Familienarchiv. Check with Immigrant Genealogical Society to see which surnames have been indexed in Volumes 1 through 100.
  50. German Emigrants Register. Check with Immigrant Genealogical Society.
  51. Search of German telephone books. Check with Immigrant Genealogical Society and other sources.
  52. International Genealogical Index (IGI). Check at local L.D.S. Family History Center.
  53. Zentralstelle für Genealogie, Käthe-Kollwitz-Straße 82, 04109 Leipzig. Address for the only genealogical organization permitted in (the former) German Democratic Republic (East Germany). You may write in English.

    IMMIGRATION AND PASSENGER LISTS

    General Information

  54. Tepper, Michael. American Passenger Arrival Records. Rev. 1993. Genealogical Publishing Co. or Genealogy Unlimited. $20.00.
  55. Colletta, John P. They Came In Ships. Rev. 1993. Ancestry or Genealogy Unlimited. $10.00.
  56. Szuchs, Loretto Dennis. Ellis Island, Gateway to America. Ancestry or Genealogy Unlimited. $1.50.
  57. "Tracking Immigrant Origins", Chapter 15 in Eakle and Cerny, eds., The Source: A Guidebook of American Genealogy. Ancestry. See #1.
  58. "Passenger Arrival Lists", Chapter 2 in Guide to Genealogical Research in the National Archives. See #2.
  59. Immigrant and Passenger Arrivals: A Select Catalog of National Archives Microfilm Publications (1983). National Archives Trust Fund, Atlanta, GA.
  60. Order for Copies of Passenger Arrival Records, NATF Form 81. Reference Branch (NNIR), National Archives and Records Service in Washington, DC. No charge for forms or for search; follow instructions on form.
  61. "Hamburg Passenger Lists", 4 pages, from L.D.S. Salt Lake Distribution Center, 1999 West 1700 South, Salt Lake City, UT 84104-4233 or at your local FHC. Free.
  62. Colletta, John Phillip. "Tips on Ships: Searching New York Passenger Arrivals, 1847 - 1896". Everton's Genealogical Helper. July - August 1994, pp. 6-8.
  63. Addington, Charles. "Immigrants to the United States in Canadian Ship Passenger Lists". Everton's Genealogical Helper. November - December 1994, pp. 6-7.
  64. Nichols, Joan M. "Manifest Destiny: Immigrants Arriving in the United States Through Canada". FGS Forum (Federation of Genealogical Societies) Winter 1994. pp. 4 - 5.

    Bibliographies

  65. Filby, P. William with Mary K. Meyer. Passenger and Immigration Lists Index. Gale Research Co., Detroit, MI. 3 volumes plus 7 or more supplements.
  66. Filby, P. William. Passenger and Immigration Lists Bibliography, 1538 - 1900. Gale Research Co.,
  67. Alcorn, Maxine. Passengers and Immigrants to America. Bibliography of holdings in Clayton Library, Houston Public Library System, 5300 Caroline, Houston, TX 77004.

    Lists of (German) Texas Immigrants

  68. Galveston Genealogy Society. Ships Passenger Lists, Port of Galveston, 1846 - 1871. Southern Historical Press, 1984. (Published and indexed National Archives microfilm)
  69. National Archives has microfilmed Galveston arrivals, 1846 - 1871; also 1896 - 1951, indexed in two series.
  70. Geue, Chester W. and Ethel H. Geue. A New Land Beckoned, German Immigration to Texas, 1844 - 47. 1966, '72, '82.
  71. Geue, Ethel Hander. New Homes in a New Land, German Immigration to Texas, 1847 - 1861. 1970, 1982.
  72. Blaha, Sr., Albert J. Volume I, Passenger Lists for Galveston, 1850 - 1855. Privately printed in 1985 by the compiler, now deceased. A later (limited) edition has corrections and index.
  73. Baca, Leo. Czech Immigrant Passenger Lists, 6 volumes; V. 1,2,3,6 include Galveston; V. 4 New York arrivals 1847 - 69. V. 1 - 5, $17.95; V. 6, $19.95; all postpaid. From the author, 1707 Woodcreek, Richardson, TX 75081.
  74. (formerly #71) Kleinecke, Charles W. Fisher-Miller Grant and G.E.C. Forever: German Emigration Company Passenger Lists to Texas, July 1844-February 1846. Ericson Books, 1614 Redbud St., Nacogdoches, TX 75961-2936. $25.00 softcover.

    * Some pre-statehood passenger lists are at Archives Division, Texas State Library, 1201 Brazos (P.O. Box 12927, Capitol Station), Austin, TX 78711; (512) 463-5480. See #71.
    * Indianola, Texas: No arrival records available. Victoria County Historical Commission is reconstructing these lists. Contact Patsy Hand, 417 Cottonwood, Victoria, TX 77904.
    * Galveston, Texas: Texas Seaport Museum, 2016 Strand, Galveston, TX 77550 has computerized Galveston passenger arrivals. If you pay admission to visit, you may use the computer free of charge; a search by mail is $10.00 per surname.

    Lists of (German) U.S. Immigrants

  75. Filby, P. William and Ira A. Glazier. Germans to America: Lists of Passengers Arriving at U.S. Ports. Multiple volumes. Scholarly Resources, Wilmington, DE. Check with Immigrant Genealogical Society.
  76. Zimmerman, Gary J. and Marion A. Wolfert. German Immigrants Bound from Bremen to New York. Multiple volumes. Genealogical Publishing Co. Check with Immigrant Genealogical Society.

    Lists of German Emigrants

    Books are available with published lists of emigrants from Alsace, Baden, Bavaria (Bayern), Brandenburg, Bremen, Brunswick (Braunschweig), Hessen-Darmstadt, Hessen-Kassel, Lippe, Mecklenburg-Schwerin, Mecklenburg-Strelitz, Nassau, Palatinate, Pomerania, Rheinland, Schaumburg-Lippe, Waldeck, Westfalen, Württemberg, and possibly others. Published in Germany. Consult with GGSA or IGS. See also Cerny & Elliott, The Library (#5), pp. 542-543.