Breaking Brick Walls: Creative Strategies for German Genealogical Research
Struggling to find your ancestors in rural German records? This two-part seminar series offers proven techniques to help you break through those frustrating research barriers.
Follow the fascinating story of Friedrich Stange, a German Holländer who emigrated to America in 1855, as we explore a wide range of sources beyond church books — including estate files, school records, and even modern real estate databases — to reconstruct his journey.
Then, dive into the challenging case of Johann Friedrich Stange from Mecklenburg and Brandenburg, where traditional records run dry. Learn how to think like a detective, using historical maps, regional context, and socio-historical clues to uncover hidden leads and solve genealogy puzzles.
Whether you’re stuck in your research or want to sharpen your investigative skills, this series will equip you with creative methods to discover your German ancestors’ stories.
You will receive access to the recording of two expert presentations and a handout for each presentation.
Price:
$60.00
A – Off to America – Research Beyond Church Records
Join me as I trace the life of Friedrich Stange, a German Holländer from Brandenburg who emigrated to America in 1855. Using his story, I’ll show how a wide range of records — from church books and estate files to school records and even real estate websites — helped me piece together his journey. This presentation is all about the records you can use to break through brick walls in rural German research.
B – The Godparent Thing – Research Techniques That Work
Meet Johann Friedrich Stange (1764–1845), born in Mecklenburg and later settled in Brandenburg. His story is full of twists — and brick walls. In this session, I’ll walk you through the techniques I used to uncover his past, from analysing church records and historical maps to using regional context and socio-historical clues. This presentation focuses on how to think like a researcher when the paper trail runs cold — and how the right strategies can lead to real breakthroughs.
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