Education

Our German genealogy symposia are designed to give you insights into the life experience of your ancestors in their time through the study of resources. We will show you what records to look for, where to find them, and how to evaluate them in their historical context.

Our virtual seminars run Saturdays from 10:00 am to 5:15 pm (Eastern Time) and include four presentations. We believe in the value of sharing ideas and experiences and provide ample time for discussion and exchange.

Registered participants will receive a link to a recording the day after the live seminar. This recording will be available for twelve months.

Take advantage of our introductory special! Our 2024 seminars are offered at only $95.

2024

2024 Introductory Sessions

Saturday, November 9, 2024

CHURCH RECORDS – A Deep Dive into the Core Resource for German Genealogy

A - Locating Church Records for Genealogical Research

Researching church records is essential for genealogical research. But how do you find them? In this presentation, we will explore the structure of the modern Protestant and Catholic churches, which is necessary to locate the correct church archive. We will then look at the leading resources for online research in these church records.

In this presentation, we’ll explore how to effectively combine FamilySearch, Ancestry, Archion, and Matricula to maximize your research success. You’ll learn strategies for integrating these diverse databases, leveraging their unique strengths to uncover a more comprehensive and detailed family history. By the end, you’ll be equipped with the skills to seamlessly navigate and utilize these resources for the best possible genealogical outcomes.

In this session, we’ll delve into 19th-century Lutheran church records, providing a practical guide to accessing and interpreting these key genealogical resources from various regions. You’ll learn how to work with diverse record types, including baptism, marriage, and burial registers, to trace your ancestors across different localities.

Catholic church records differ significantly in scope and substance from Lutheran records. This presentation will discuss the typical content of Catholic baptism, burial, and death records. We will compare Lutheran and Catholic church records and examine how record content was shaped by diverging theological perspectives. In addition, we will look at differences in recording practices between historical regions.

Full schedule (EDT):

10:00 am
Welcome and Introduction
10:15 am

Presentation A

Locating Church Records for Genealogical Research
11:15 am

Break

11:30 am

Presentation B

Combining FamilySearch, Ancestry, Archion and Matricula – Make the Best of All the Databases!

12:30 am
Discussion

01:00 pm

Break

02:00 pm

Presentation C
Researching in 19th Century Lutheran Church Records

03:00 pm

Break

03:15 pm

Presentation D
Researching in 19th Century Catholic Church Records

04:15 pm

Discussion

05:00 pm

Conclusion

Saturday, September 7, 2024

OUR ANCESTORS’ WORLD – German History and the Role of the Church in Everyday Life

Our goal is to provide historical context, including aspects of social history. Each class will offer a discussion of historical framework. For our very first symposium with its four sessions, our focus will be on history, providing the foundational knowledge needed to evaluate historical records.
A - Introduction to Historical Germany - From the Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation to the German Reich
Did you know that the German Reich was first established in 1871? This presentation will explore what was referred to as “Germany” before that time. We will uncover the rich history of the region from the Holy Roman Empire to the German Confederation, and what it meant for your ancestors.
Faith has always played a central role in German history. An understanding of church history is crucial for any researcher. Explore significant historical events, their lasting impact on ordinary people, and how they have shaped society up to the present day.

The local church book is an invaluable resource for discovering more about your ancestors’ lives. Join us as we reveal the wealth of information it contains!

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.

2025 Courses

2025

Saturday, January 11, 2025

THE WINDS OF CHANGE

19th Century German History and Culture – Part 1

  • 19th Century German History for Genealogists
  • The Push and Pull of Emigration
  • Understanding the Emigration Experience
  • Records Documenting Emigration
Saturday, March 8, 2025

THE WINDS OF CHANGE

19th Century German History and Culture – Part 2

  • History of Industrialization
  • Labor-Related Migration within Europe
  • Sources for Tracking Migrants
  • Case Studies
Saturday, May 3, 2025

CIVIL RECORDS
History of Civil Registration and Analysis of Records

  • Introduction to Civil Registration Records
  • Zivilstand Records Introduced during the Napoleonic Era
  • Personenstand Records Introduced in 1874
  • Working with Marginal Notes
Saturday, September 6, 2025

COLONIZATION
Movements of Germanic Settlers throughout Europe

  • Ostsiedlung – Early Germanization of the East
  • Impacts of the Thirty-Year War
  • Religious Refugees and their Traces into the 19th Century
  • Sources and Examples
Saturday, November 8, 2025

THE EXPANSION OF PRUSSIA
How a Small Principality Became a Superpower

  • Eastern Crusades and the Teutonic State
  • Frederic the Great, 18th Century Expansion into Poland, and its Implications for Genealogical Research
  • 19th Century Prussia and the Founding of the German Reich
  • The Secret Archive: Berlin’s Geheimes Staatsarchiv Preussischer Kulturbesitz

Planned Content for 2026 and Beyond

Dates to be announced:

  • German History and Culture in the 20th Century
  • Residency Records and Directories
  • Locating and Working with Online Resources
  • Researching Persecuted Persons in the Third Reich
  • Using German Archives
  • Working with Historical Maps
  • Military History and Records
  • Jewish Research
  • Research in the Former Prussian States of Poland
  • Using DNA in German Research

2026