German Church Records: Why, Where, Who and the Unexpected

*This is a partner event. Presenter: Richard Haberstroh. This talk is meant to cover the finer details of the history and creation of German church records.  It is intended to provide insight into why and how the church-created records were produced, which will help researchers understand the necessity of locating these sources, and why certain […]

Using OrtsfamilienbĂĽcher to Research German Ancestors

*This is a partner event. OrtsfamilienbĂĽcher contain genealogical information about families within a specific town, village, or parish, sometimes going back to the beginning of written records. Learn about the Emerson History & Genealogy Center’s large collection of these books and how to use them. Presenter: Robin McDonough. Robin is the Outreach and Programming Coordinator […]

Untangling Endogamy in Your Tree Using DNA

*This is a partner event. Speaker: Kate Penney Howard. Navigating complex DNA scenarios can create difficulties in genealogical research. However, there are tools and techniques available to differentiate and interpret DNA data in situations where the Leeds Method and WATO do not work. We will compassionately and clearly review the various challenges, ways to identify […]

Uncovering their Names and Stories: 300 Years of a German Jewish Family

David Marlow’s German-Jewish parents arrived in Australia in 1939-1940 as refugees. Growing up, David knew little about their lives in Germany or even the names of some grandparents. Through extensive research, he uncovered over three centuries of German-Jewish ancestral history. Register. Eastern time zone | online | English

Best Published Resources for German Research in America

German immigrants first arrived to American shores in large numbers in the late 17th century, and today nearly 45 million Americans have German heritage. Published resources are an essential tool for researching your German-American ancestors. There are treasure troves of published resources including general guides, dictionaries (both for words and surnames), books on paleography, and […]

Status Designation in German Church Records: A Mirror of Local Society

*This is a partner event. German church records contain detailed information about individuals’ social statuses, such as citizen, inhabitant, neighbor, and more. But what exactly do these terms mean, and why was status so significant? Let’s explore the importance of these designations and their implications for understanding historical context. Featured Speaker: Ute Brandenburg. More information. […]

German Soldier, American Rebel: Christopher Ludwick’s Pursuits of Happiness in Revolutionary Pennsylvania

Hessian-born Christopher Ludwick was already a veteran of European warfare and an experienced mariner by the time he washed ashore in British Philadelphia in 1755. A skilled baker, he made that city his permanent home and, through private frugality and industriousness, realized great wealth and community status. When imperial politics thrust the British Empire into […]

Pommerntag

*This is a partner event. Pommerntag means Pomeranian Day and is a one-day celebration of all things Pomeranian. This year is the 48th annual celebration with free admission and parking. Entertainment includes Pomeranian dance groups and a German band. The cultural building has displays, free access to the Pedigree Database of over 187,000 names, and […]

Researching German Ancestors

Presented by Rhonda R. McClure. Germans have been emigrating to America since the 17th century and today are the largest self-reported ancestry group living in the country. No matter when your ancestors arrived in the U.S., this online seminar will teach you how to trace your German ancestry. You will discover key records, resources, and […]

Using Historical Newspapers in Genealogical Research

This is a partner event. Speaker: Laura Cubbage-Draper, CG. Before Facebook and Twitter, the local paper was the place to get the scoop on your neighbors. Historical newspapers are indispensable to genealogy research and learning about your ancestors and their community. This program will highlight the importance of this resource as well as the range […]

Finding Your Ancestors in German Directories

Presenter: Ursula C. Krause. In Germany, more and more directories are online, and some of them are even indexed. This presentation will tell you where to find them, show you how to work with them, and explain how to interpret the information typical for German directories. Register. Eastern time zone | online | English

Exploring Mecklenburg’s Rich History and Genealogical Treasures

Presenter: Andrea Bentschneider. Dive into the fascinating history of the Mecklenburg region and discover how to trace your ancestral roots with expert guidance. This presentation will begin with a journey through the historic landscape of two Mecklenburgs – Mecklenburg-Schwerin and Mecklenburg-Strelitz – highlighting their cultural and political development over the centuries. We will explore a […]