Speaker: Ute Brandenburg

Areas of focus or expertise:

  • German History
  • Complex German Genealogical Research Problems
  • Genetic Genealogy in Germany

Email contact: info@genealogyheadquarters.com

Web/social media: 

Home: Iowa City, Iowa, USA

Native language: English and German

Presentation language(s): English and German

Preferred presentation type: virtual and in-person

Travel preferences: I’m willing to travel a distance if the costs are covered.

Biography

Professional genealogist Ute Brandenburg is a bilingual German American living in Iowa City, Iowa. Educated in Germany, she combines her lifelong immersion in German culture, history, and geography with in-depth knowledge of migration history as well as genealogical sources of both Germany and the United States.

Among Ute’s research interests are German immigration to the Midwest, research in the former Eastern Provinces of Prussia, and Jewish family history. Ute uses DNA to solve some of the most challenging cases of unknown origin of German immigrants and is an expert in resolving unknown parentage cases in Germany.

Ute conducts regular on-site archival research in Germany and Poland, working directly with original records in regional and state archives. She has planned and led heritage tours to Germany for individual research clients and their families.

Ute is the owner of German Genealogy Headquarters, where she offers lectures on German genealogy with a focus on historical context. She also leads the German Genealogy Lab, a study and discussion group for researchers seeking to advance their skills and understanding of German genealogical research.

In which societies are you a member? APGen, Gesellschaft für Familienforschung in Franken, SGGEE

Speaking experience/references
  • IGGP Conferences 2019, 2021, 2025
  • Genealogica Frankfurt 2021, 2022, 2024, 2025
  • Various local organizations throughout the US.
  • I teach German genealogy seminars at Germany Genealogy Headquarters. Varied topics include German history, research methodology, German DNA case studies.

Recording of previous presentation OR an IGGP partner you have presented for: https://familytreewebinars.com/webinar/genealogy-of-east-and-west-prussia/

Payment/expense arrangements

How do you approach payment for making a presentation? I charge a fixed fee shared to the potential client.

Other expenses you would like to have reimbursed if you travel? travel, lodging, per diem

Recordings/additional materials

Are you willing to prepare a handout? Yes

Would you be willing to develop a presentation on another topic? Maybe

Do you have any restrictions on recording, re-use of recordings, handouts, etc? Handouts are my property. There is an additional speaker fee if a lecture is recorded, and limits to who it can be shared with and for how long.

Are you willing to have the presentation translated or translate it yourself? I translate it myself.

Presentation topics

History and Methodology

  • The Emperor’s New Code – German Records under Napoleon’s Rule (Level: Intermediate, Advanced)
  • Hidden Gems in German and Polish Archives (Level: Intermediate, Advanced)
  • Genealogy of East and West Prussia (Level: Intermediate, Advanced)
  • Personenstand in Prussia: Locating Civil Records in the Former German Provinces Now in Poland (Level: Intermediate, Advanced)
  • The Status Designation in Church Records – A Mirror of Local Society (Level: Intermediate, Advanced)
  • 19th Century German History for Genealogists: Understanding the Emigration Experience (Level: All levels)
  • 19th Century German History for Genealogists: Records Documenting Emigration (Levels: All levels)

Regional

  • Bavaria: History, Traditions, and Genealogy (Level: All levels)

German Research Basics

  • Dodging Brick Walls (Level: Beginner, Intermediate)

Heritage Travel

  • German Heritage Travel – The Insider’s Playbook (Level: All)

DNA-Guided Research

  • Finding Volker’s Father (Level: Intermediate, Advanced)
  • Escape and Return in Jewish Vienna (Level: Intermediate, Advanced)