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.
Our 2025 seminars are offered at only $125.
The 19th century was a time of extraordinary transformation. Rapid political, social, and technological change reshaped the German landscape and altered everyday life. Every ordinary German experienced the impact of these revolutions in some way. In this presentation, we will explore the major historical developments of this fascinating era and examine how they affected the lives of our ancestors.
Between 1820 and 1920, approximately six million Germans left their homeland, with the majority heading to the United States. Let’s examine the reasons behind this unprecedented wave of emigration. What motivated ordinary people to leave their homes for an uncertain future? What were they hoping to find at their destinations? Additionally, how did these factors evolve throughout the century?
Many steps took place between the decision to emigrate and the arrival at a destination. How did families choose where to go? What legal requirements had to be met before departure? How did people travel to the port? What was the experience of traveling by ship like during different periods of the 19th century? This presentation will take you through the journey of your ancestors, detailing each step of their voyage.
What documents were required for travelers to leave their home and travel abroad? In this presentation, we will explore the surprising range of emigration papers from Germany and where to locate them. We will then examine passenger records, which vary significantly in content from the early days of emigration to the 20th century, look for hidden clues in arrival records, and discuss the availability of records for ports of departure.
Presentation A
Break
11:30 am
Presentation B
01:00 pm
Break
02:00 pm
Presentation C
03:00 pm
Break
03:15 pm
Presentation D
Records Documenting Emigration
04:15 pm
Discussion
05:00 pm
Conclusion
The invention of the steam engine revolutionized industry and transportation across Western Europe. This presentation will examine the course of industrialization in German states during the 19th century, focusing on the expansion of railways, innovations in textile and steel industries, and the rise of urban industrial centers.
Germany’s transition from an agrarian society to an industrial powerhouse gave rise to a substantial wage-earning labor class, driving profound social and political changes that shaped the nation by the dawn of the 20th century.
During the late 19th century, a growing number of people migrated across Europe in search of work opportunities. This movement was driven by various push and pull factors, including the rising demand for factory workers in urban centers and the declining need for rural labor due to agricultural mechanization. Many migrants also originated from economically underdeveloped regions in Eastern Europe, seeking better prospects in the wealthier industrialized areas of the West.
This presentation will discuss the typical experiences of migrants as they settled into large urban areas, exploring the challenges they faced and the opportunities they pursued.
In this presentation, we will explore a variety of record sources that allow us to trace migrants on their journeys across regions, learn details about their lives in their chosen communities, and better understand the challenges and opportunities they encountered.
Let’s look at real-life experiences of individuals who made the difficult decision to leave their native villages in search of economic opportunities far from home. What experiences awaited them at their new place? What historical records tell us how their unique stories unfolded?
2025
2024
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!
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.
Dates to be announced:
2026
