can anyone translate this letter from German to English? i may have written them before but I wanted to know if they had any information. its a pdf they sent
Brian, have you tried the free online translators? Do a google search for "translator english ..." and inset name of language, ie, german, hit enter, and voila! You will get an assortment of free translators where yoy can type in the text and get an immediate translation. If you need to type special characters such as an umlaut, you can type in the alt code such as alt+252 for a u with an umlaut for the character. An o with an ulaut is alt+246. Also, genealogical german is not that difficult to learn.
This the closest i can come up with.It appears there is a charge to obtain the information. My German is not very good. Some of the words were impossible to figure out but I hope it helps.
Responding to your inquiry Dear Mr. Hill Your request has been received in the city archives Chemnitz. Due to the large number of such concerns and extensive research into the matter over traditional person and registration documents , the processing time in months amounts to more than three months. The short form of this writing, is a fast , way to edit your message. Genealogical research in the city archives are chargeable in Chemnitz. The high level of FEES depends on the effort we need to expend search costs are also negative Info request . Ground calculated 12.00 Euro per quarter hour .For copies fall .70 euros per side, authentications for 5.00 Euro .In your case, we assume that 1 hour / s research time . For processing your request we Require following information from your
Assurance of FEES Underwriting Postal address ( no PO Box) Please send us your answer by post or email .
I wrote a number of places in Germany several years ago and this may have been one I already exhausted. I was curious if they actually found something but I guess the are asking for a search fee. i think i may have already searched here because i remember reaching a dead end.
I am searching for my Lawbaugh (Labach, Laubauch, Laubaugh) ancestry. I don't speak German nor am I familiar with German geography. I do know they were in PA, OH, IL as well as Kansas - where I live. My mother's maiden name was Lawbaugh. Hopefully being a part of this group will be helpful.
If any of you live in Bavaria, I would like to contact Mrs. Elizabeth Jung from Kleinwallstadt. I have heard that she has collected information from the town of Elsenfeld for the past forty years. My great, great grandfather, Louis Fischer was born there in 1834 and I would like to ask her if she has anything about his family or the time when he lived there (1834 to 1854 when he emigrated to America.
@Barbara Gray--Can you supply more information about your family? Have you followed them back as far as you can go in the US? What is the time frame for when they came to this country and what are the names of those who came? Do you have any indication of where in Germany they came from or names you might search for there? Germany is a tricky country to find anyone without a known starting point. There are some good pointers on German research at https://familysearch.org/learn/wiki/en/Germany.
I am still having bricks wall trying to find info on my father's family. this most of the info I have. to date except for a slight lead to Lipsig. If you are familiar with this please let me know. The following is what I have.
My grandfather was August Pust b. 20 Jan 1867, Prussia. I found the passenger list of Italia departing Swinemunde, Germany with destination as New York, USA. His origin is listed as Prussia (Pru Ben) Zenrten. August arrived on 02 Jan 1891 in New York city. He married Johanna Brose (b; 29 Nov 1861/Prussia) in Appleton, MN. 17 Aug 1895. They farmed outside of Danvers Village, MN. from 1900 to 1902. In 1904 they moved to Stettler/Big Valley, Alberta Canada area after applying for the Dominion Land Grants.
Johanna was married to William Brose/Browse (b. 1862 Germany) in Moyer Township of Minnesota. So far I have not found what happened to him before she met August Pust. Johanna and William had five children; Mary, Helena, William, Martha and Bertha who were born around the Benson, Swift County area.
Johanna and August also had five children: Otto b; 9 Apr 1896; Alma b. 03 Jun 1898; August b; 18 Aug 1900 all born in Appleton, MN and Augusta b; 19 Mar 1904; Alfred b; 09 May 9 1906 in Stettler, Alberta.
I have a paper with the names of all family members listed with birth dates and where born. Next to Johanna's name in "Luecke/Lueck". This could of been her maiden name but not sure. On all the dox I have for August and Johanna it states Prussia or Germany for birth origin only. When Johanna was very sick in 1926-27 she was in the St. Joseph's hospital in Edmonton. Alberta. At that time only people of the Catholic faith were allowed in there for treatment.
The children from Johanna and William always used the surname of Pust but at times they did use Brose. I have found them in the Border Crossing files visiting family in Idaho, Washington and possible Montana. I still have not found where my grandparents crossed the border when they moved here in1904. I believe they came by way of rail to Montana then up into Alberta. But that is just family talk with no proof. August Pust always pronounced his surname to rhyme with dust/rust etc.
I do have another family that could have German background but here too am having trouble getting past a ggrandfather's linage. This surname is "Worsfold, Wasfold, Whorsfold" or anything similar.
I will gladly share information I have and would appreciate any help I may receive.
My ancestor was Johann Heinrich TUPHORN, born In Ictershausen, Thuringia, Prussia in (perhaps) 1812. He left Germany because of his involvement in the 1848 Student's (Bonn) Rebellion, also known as the Carl Schurz Rebellion and eventually settled in Sparta, Wisconsin.
I am looking for info for Bonifacius Schmidt. He was born in 1824 in Herbolzheim, Germany. He came to the US in July 1845. According to Ancestry His father was Franciscus Anton Schmidt and his mother was Johanna Hoch. Franciscus was born in 1777. That is as far back as I can get which is why I need help. I would write to Germany if I knew where to write or what exactly to ask for. Any help I can get will be greatly appreciated.
Go to the familysearch.org site and order the record to go to your nearest Family History Center. It looks like 4 rolls. You have to order and pay for them on line these days. Get an expert German reader to go with you when they arrive. The old script is hard for modern Germans, I understand. The World Cat has it, but also in Salt Lake, and I can't tell if it is in book form or what.
Yes, FamilySearch is the best (cheapest) way to go first.
If that does not help you, contact me privately. I can contact the local Standesamt and see what/if they charge for records. Plus it is not to far of a trip for me (about 90 minutes). I am not free, but a lot cheaper than if you were to hire someone from the states. I read old German script also.
Re Marilyn's post to Diane--the kirchenbuch is on film. Kirchenbuch simply means Church Book. It is not the usual BMD but is more like a census in that it lists every couple in the parish and their children. It will also tell you the parents of the couple, gives birth dates for all, and often includes death dates of all and marriage partners and marriage dates of the children. It is not a substitute for the BMD but was compiled by the priest or minister from them.
I do not think you need to take a German reader with you. I do not know German but can read the kirchenbuch with the assistance of an alphabet chart and a dictionary. The old German script is difficult to read in that letters are not in the Roman alphabet that we are familiar with and it takes a lot of patience to read it but it can be done. Your average modern German can't read the script any easier than you can because it has not been used in Germany since before WWII. See http://familysearch.org/learn/wiki/en/Germany_Handwriting for assistance in reading the script and to obtain an alphabet chart.
Diane, I wrote to several members of the Tuphorn family in Germany and received a little information, but the best was a response from someone on the internet in Germany. Her English was wonderful. She understood contractions, and wrote with such seeming ease I thought she had gone to school here. Turned out, she was a high school student, and had never been out of Germany. She was a descendant of a sister of my 48er. She and her siblings have gone on to college and I don't hear from her anymore. But I have the information taken from the Kirchenbuch saying he had gone to Amerika because of his involvement with the rebellion thus confirming a family legend.
To Paul and Catherine: I tend to forget that some folks live far from research facilities like Family History Centers. In San Diego, I have a multi-stake FHC within ten miles by interstate, a public library with a whole floor devoted to Gen research books 45 miles up the coast, and a nearby branch with a Librarian with a Masters in Library Science. Now that I am somewhat disabled, I love doing a little research on the computer, but It is not the same as cranking the handle on a microfilm reader and getting hints from other researchers present.
Yep, FHC’s are the way to go. Not all the records are there, but you should check there first. :) We actually have a small one in Kaiserslautern. I volunteer there once a month or so to help folks with their German research.
Yes, most people here can speak some English. Some are reluctant to speak, but can at least understand.
@Catherine, I agree you do not need a German speaker for pulling names and dates out of the records. However, I think it is a mistake not to eventually get them completely translated as much as possible. I have seen some great stories hidden in the records. That is what we are after right? I once found a whole branch of my tree still living here in Germany because I translated my distant aunt’s marriage record (from about 1840) and found a brother (who I had thought might have died young) in the record. He was living 30km away and I had had no idea where he was. His name and town were buried about 75% down in the record. Not all records are gold mines, but you never know.
I've gone back in the forum archives from several years ago. I wish there was a way to pull out the names of those being researched without having to do so, but I am persistent. Is there a list?
@Paul Hart. I agree that the entire record should be translated, but most records are not that difficult to figure out at least the gist of what is there and do not require professional help. Perhaps I am lucky that I have a knack for reading languages. Speaking a language is a different story.
I will share and hope to find information on the following German families that came to America.
Gottlieb Benninghoven md Henrietta Krieger in Duesseldorf area. born in area.
]Krieger parents?] immigrated @ 1875 to Seward, NE.
son Otto Benninghoven md Flora Winkler b Riley, KS
Auguste & Fredrick Winkler born Germany to St. Louis then Riley, KS & built mills on Fancy Creek, KS. These brothers married sisters who came from Germany also.
On my side, Johann Henrich Rehm born 15 Jan 1818 Darmstadt, Hesse ?... came by 1850 Cen in Ozaukee, WI with mother Katarina nee ? b1782 & sister Maria b 1816 Hessia. HENRY md. Louisa Thieme b 15 Jan 1838 [TC Thieme & Emelie Mai Thieme-Lanstadt >] 9 Sept. 1902 9th Ward Milwaukee. They are buried in the Union Cemetery Milwaukee. Ang help is welcome & I'll be happy to share. mgarabians@eaglecom.net. Joy
Hi Joy, I have family from the Düsseldorf area and have done some research there. Right now I have no plans for going back, but that could change. Contact me privately and let me a little more about where you are researching and I will try to remember to look for you when/if I go.
Paul, it's really not that difficult to gleen the story from the records without hiring a translator or imposing upon the next person over at the research table. It's called a German to English dictionary, learning the basic terminology of the records, and availing oneself of several free online translators. Works for most European languages. I can't speak for translating Chinese, Japanese, etc. but for the Romance languages, it works like a charm. Perhaps it's just that I'm more private in my research and enjoy the quiet and solititude of the respositories to think and analyze my findings, while engaging in conversation with other researchers from time to time. My work is mine alone.
Another question for you wonderful people...I'm attempting to search my great-grandfather's military service. I know that he was in the German Army during World War II. Then at some point he was captured (not sure where) and sent to a POW camp in Yugoslavia. I know nothing about searching military records in foreign countries. I've been focused on the Civil War here in the United States.
My question is, is it possible to scan records/search records here in the United States without making a trip to Germany? The war is a very emotional topic for my grandmother and she was only 10 when the war ended so she doesn't know very much of my great-grandfather's service. Any help or direction would be very much appreciated.
I am trying to find documentation that William Lawbaugh, b. Oct. 10, 1823 in Tuscarawas Co., Ohio is the son of John J. Laubach (Lawbaugh), b. July 8, 1799 in Columbia PA. This John J. was the son of Lewis Laubach and Mary Ann Clinger. They are both buried in the family plot in Geneseo, IL. So far I have not found birth, death, or church records linking them as father and son. William married Lydia Ummel in Nov. 1849 so was out the the family home of John J. and Margaret Schaub for the 1850 census. I seem to be against the wall and could use any help one might be kind enough to give. Thank You, Linda Gray
Kate, I agree with you that it is possible to get the information from Google Translate. It is fine for pulling names, places and dates out of a document.
However, if you are not familiar with German, and you are looking for a detailed translation, it may not work or give you the wrong info. I know. I have tried it. There is an older woman on a German mailing list with the current problem. She is 85 years old, does not know German and according to her it is, "too late for me to learn now."
I have been translating records for about five years now. Nobody is perfect, but I do a lot better job of translating the record into readable English. It took me four hours to get an A in the five-week German language course listed above.
So if funds are tight and you just want an overview of the document, yes use Google Translate. However, if you have no clue how to read German and do not want to learn; if you want the record in detail and in readable English, you may want to hire someone to do the translation.
I am not a certified translator if that is what you mean. I do not translate new stuff. In fact, I have been working specifically for about the last five years only on German documents from the 1800s.
I am willing to help folks with minor stuff for free. Things like words not found on Google Translate or where the German writing is bad. I have so much on my plate though that I cannot be doing full out translations unless it was worth my while. Between a full time job, school, kids, home and my own research, I just do not have the time.
Family Historians do try to help each other though, so I volunteer at the local FHC. I have helped a good number of people find paths around the brick walls in their German research.
I also have a database online documenting records I have seen. These are just names, dates and places I have noted in my own research. I am considering eventually doing up books of translated records from specific German towns and self-publishing them. Once again, when and if I ever find the time...
In Milwaukee, WI, USA, Gary Rebolz has been translating German Obits. He helped me find my Dad's family now in Union Cemetery. I paid him per obit and am SO grateful. I now know where my Rehm & Thieme families came from in Germany. I now need to know the next step in Darmstadt Hessen 1818 and Langstadt Germany 1811 were their birth dates. Thanks for any help.
I'm researching my Langguth line. I have the Civil War pension file for Simon Langguth (also known as Longhead/Longguth in Civil War records). According to the file Simon married Caroline Baetz September 1862 in Weidersrothe, Germany. However, I cannot find this location and have no clue as to where in Germany it is located. According to the New York passenger list in 1875 they came from Sachsen and the 1880 U. S. Census record states they came from Saxony. Has anyone heard of Weidersrothe or come across the name in your research? I tried to Google it but got nowhere. Any suggestions of where I might find some clues?
Velma - the person filling out the Civil War pension file may not have heard the name of the town correctly, or spelled it incorrectly. I was able to find Wiedersbach in Sachsen, Preussen (Prussia), Germany on familysearch.org. They have a microfilm of church records from there that you can request to be sent to a Family History Center near you.
Paul Hart.. Thank you for letting me know you were going to Duesseldorf on holiday. If you had time to look up my Lutheran records for family, I look forward to hearing from you. Joy B
I am trying to help my husband research his family line. I know my father in law immigrated to the US from Belgium when he was 8 with his parents but they never really talked about their lives. To start I have Johann Doum (1915-1996) and his wife, Nanna Dunzelman (1917-1988). I know the names of Nanni's parents but that is as far back as I can go on her. As far as Johann, I know he has 15 brothers and sisters and that is all I know. I can probably get some more information from my father in-law but this really is the bulk of what he knows. Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks!
Hi - I am relatively new at genealogy & have never posted on a site before so apologies in advance for any etiquette breaches. My grandfather (Schneider) was born in the former German colony of Windthorst (now Nova Topola,S erbia) which briefly existed between 1879 and 1944. His parents immigrated there from Adenau, Rhineland Prussia (it was very exciting to find the birth records from Adenau on familysearch). I would be interested to know if anyone else has ancestors from Windthorst. I am also trying to trace any descendents of my grandfather's brothers and sisters. He seems to have lost contact with them after he immigrated to Canada in 1929 and they were evacuated from the colony during WWII. Regards, Lori
in my research of german name grams i can only go back to a william grams born in october 30 1851 in germany. married wilhelmina albertina radunz. had 2 children born and buried in germany.4 others were born in germany but buried in rock island,ill.had 10 children. otto born in rock island
I am seeking information pertaining to Philipp Schmidt who was married to Elisabetha Margaretha Spaeth Their son Johannes was married and their daughter Anna Elisabetha was baptized at the Evangelisch, Reichenbach, Starkenburg, Hess-darmstadt Germany. So they were long term residents in this area between at least 1841 thru 1875.
My gtgmom Carolyn Louisa Thieme Rehm's death certificate in Milwaukee, WI 9-9-1902 says her parents were TC Charles Thieme b 27 Oct 1811 Prussia Sachsen Germ. d Milwaukee 1891 and Emelia Mai or May b 1812 same Germany & d 21 Nov. 1889 Milwaukee & buried in Union Cemetery. A German Milwaukee man translated the Obit in German for me. maybe they were from Langstadt. They were in 9th Ward in 1870 Cen, Ideas to research back are much appreciated. Joy B
My dad, Charles Ernest Rehm's family, Johann Heinrich Rehm b Jan 1818 came from Hessia.. [Friedrichsbruek ?], Darmstadt and were Lutheran..Evangelisch. J Heinrich is on 1860 C Fredonia, Ozaukee Co, Wis with mother C or Katherine b 1782 and sister Marie 44, b 1816.Hessia Prussia both. I wonder if he didn't have a first family as in 1870 C Fredonia, Ozaukee, Wis is Henry Rame/ Rehm , 52 then William 29 & Mary , 25 then / & Theodore is 46. Henry later marries Carolyn Louisa Thieme Froede, a widow in Jan 1872 in Milwaukee. Her two sons by Charles A Froede. Albert b 1852 & Herman b 1860 in Peoria, IL go to live with her parents Charles & Emelia Mai Thieme. Any help in next steps of research are appreciated. Joy B
Because of his age when marrying Louisa Thieme Froede 1872
Another interesting find was the Milwaukee, Wis Civil War Draft 1 July 1863 under Rahr. included: Henry 43, Carl 41, Frederich 44, and Ferdinand 39 Rahr/ Rehm. To me they are a bit old ??
I have been tracing the Kleins from Nebraska to Saarland Westfalen Prussia. I have traced them back to the 1500s, but feel some cleanup needs to be done that far back.
Tim, have you tried finding the book as an inter-library loan through either your local or state public library? However, if you can't find it, It looks to be available at a few libraries in Michigan and I can request it via the Michigan Electronic Library and send you the entry on Haveniths, if you can't get it yourself. I don't know how long it might take. Let me know if you want me to pursue.
Tim, it's not any hardship at all to attempt to get this book--whether or not I'm successful may be another question. Most of the public libraries in the state of Michigan, where I live, are linked through an electronic master catalog and cooperative organization. With my local library card number, I can request online any book in that catalog--and I found the several libraries with the book you want--and the cooperative will locate the book and have it delivered to my local library. Sometimes, however, the books in the catalog turn out not to be at the libraries claiming them and so it might take a while for the coop to locate an actual copy. I'll put the request in today and keep my fingers crossed that it brings a quick response!
Brian Hill
PE_P0702ZB_Hill_Rudolph_PA_G%C3%BC-2.pdf
Hi,
can anyone translate this letter from German to English? i may have written them before but I wanted to know if they had any information. its a pdf they sent
Thanks,
Brian
Nov 13, 2013
Kate Wagner
Nov 13, 2013
Kate Wagner
Nov 13, 2013
Wayne H. Vallowe
Brian,
This the closest i can come up with.It appears there is a charge to obtain the information. My German is not very good. Some of the words were impossible to figure out but I hope it helps.
Responding to your inquiry
Dear Mr. Hill
Your request has been received in the city archives Chemnitz.
Due to the large number of such concerns and extensive research into the matter over traditional person and registration documents , the processing time in months amounts to more than three months.
The short form of this writing, is a fast , way to edit your message.
Genealogical research in the city archives are chargeable in Chemnitz.
The high level of FEES depends on the effort we need to expend search costs are also negative Info request .
Ground calculated 12.00 Euro per quarter hour . For copies fall .70 euros per side, authentications for 5.00 Euro . In your case, we assume that 1 hour / s research time .
For processing your request we Require following information from your
Assurance of FEES Underwriting
Postal address ( no PO Box)
Please send us your answer by post or email .
Nov 13, 2013
Brian Hill
Thanks,
I wrote a number of places in Germany several years ago and this may have been one I already exhausted. I was curious if they actually found something but I guess the are asking for a search fee. i think i may have already searched here because i remember reaching a dead end.
Nov 13, 2013
Linda Gray
I am searching for my Lawbaugh (Labach, Laubauch, Laubaugh) ancestry. I don't speak German nor am I familiar with German geography. I do know they were in PA, OH, IL as well as Kansas - where I live. My mother's maiden name was Lawbaugh. Hopefully being a part of this group will be helpful.
Linda Gray
Nov 14, 2013
Slægtens Historie
Please take a look at this and see how we helped Bob!
http://video.visitdenmark.com/video/3495646/denmark-on-demand-american
Dec 28, 2013
Barbara Holz Sullivan
If any of you live in Bavaria, I would like to contact Mrs. Elizabeth Jung from Kleinwallstadt. I have heard that she has collected information from the town of Elsenfeld for the past forty years. My great, great grandfather, Louis Fischer was born there in 1834 and I would like to ask her if she has anything about his family or the time when he lived there (1834 to 1854 when he emigrated to America.
Dec 28, 2013
Catherine Davis
@Barbara Gray--Can you supply more information about your family? Have you followed them back as far as you can go in the US? What is the time frame for when they came to this country and what are the names of those who came? Do you have any indication of where in Germany they came from or names you might search for there? Germany is a tricky country to find anyone without a known starting point. There are some good pointers on German research at https://familysearch.org/learn/wiki/en/Germany.
Dec 28, 2013
Helen Pust
I am still having bricks wall trying to find info on my father's family. this most of the info I have. to date except for a slight lead to Lipsig. If you are familiar with this please let me know. The following is what I have.
August arrived on 02 Jan 1891 in New York city. He married Johanna Brose (b; 29 Nov 1861/Prussia) in Appleton, MN. 17 Aug 1895. They farmed outside of Danvers Village, MN. from 1900 to 1902. In 1904 they moved to Stettler/Big Valley, Alberta Canada area after applying for the Dominion Land Grants.
Johanna was married to William Brose/Browse (b. 1862 Germany) in Moyer Township of Minnesota. So far I have not found what happened to him before she met August Pust. Johanna and William had five children; Mary, Helena, William, Martha and Bertha who were born around the Benson, Swift County area.
Johanna and August also had five children: Otto b; 9 Apr 1896; Alma b. 03 Jun 1898; August b; 18 Aug 1900 all born in Appleton, MN and Augusta b; 19 Mar 1904; Alfred b; 09 May 9 1906 in Stettler, Alberta.
I have a paper with the names of all family members listed with birth dates and where born. Next to Johanna's name in "Luecke/Lueck". This could of been her maiden name but not sure. On all the dox I have for August and Johanna it states Prussia or Germany for birth origin only. When Johanna was very sick in 1926-27 she was in the St. Joseph's hospital in Edmonton. Alberta. At that time only people of the Catholic faith were allowed in there for treatment.
The children from Johanna and William always used the surname of Pust but at times they did use Brose. I have found them in the Border Crossing files visiting family in Idaho, Washington and possible Montana. I still have not found where my grandparents crossed the border when they moved here in1904. I believe they came by way of rail to Montana then up into Alberta. But that is just family talk with no proof. August Pust always pronounced his surname to rhyme with dust/rust etc.
I do have another family that could have German background but here too am having trouble getting past a ggrandfather's linage. This surname is "Worsfold, Wasfold, Whorsfold" or anything similar.
I will gladly share information I have and would appreciate any help I may receive.
Mar 28, 2014
Marilyn Potter Oppenborn Steber
My ancestor was Johann Heinrich TUPHORN, born In Ictershausen, Thuringia, Prussia in (perhaps) 1812. He left Germany because of his involvement in the 1848 Student's (Bonn) Rebellion, also known as the Carl Schurz Rebellion and eventually settled in Sparta, Wisconsin.
Are there any descendants of 48ers on this forum?
Jun 9, 2014
Diane Lenz Schmidt
I am looking for info for Bonifacius Schmidt. He was born in 1824 in Herbolzheim, Germany. He came to the US in July 1845. According to Ancestry His father was Franciscus Anton Schmidt and his mother was Johanna Hoch. Franciscus was born in 1777. That is as far back as I can get which is why I need help. I would write to Germany if I knew where to write or what exactly to ask for. Any help I can get will be greatly appreciated.
Jun 30, 2014
Marilyn Potter Oppenborn Steber
Diane, Have you researched on familysearch.org? Their records appear to be from 1558.
Jun 30, 2014
Diane Lenz Schmidt
I looked there but I couldn't even find anything for Herbolzheim, Germany. That is why I need help. Thank you.
Jun 30, 2014
Marilyn Potter Oppenborn Steber
Go to the familysearch.org site and order the record to go to your nearest Family History Center. It looks like 4 rolls. You have to order and pay for them on line these days. Get an expert German reader to go with you when they arrive. The old script is hard for modern Germans, I understand. The World Cat has it, but also in Salt Lake, and I can't tell if it is in book form or what.
Search Results for FamilySearch Catalog
Jun 30, 2014
Paul Hart
Yes, FamilySearch is the best (cheapest) way to go first.
If that does not help you, contact me privately. I can contact the local Standesamt and see what/if they charge for records. Plus it is not to far of a trip for me (about 90 minutes). I am not free, but a lot cheaper than if you were to hire someone from the states. I read old German script also.
Jul 1, 2014
Catherine Davis
Re Marilyn's post to Diane--the kirchenbuch is on film. Kirchenbuch simply means Church Book. It is not the usual BMD but is more like a census in that it lists every couple in the parish and their children. It will also tell you the parents of the couple, gives birth dates for all, and often includes death dates of all and marriage partners and marriage dates of the children. It is not a substitute for the BMD but was compiled by the priest or minister from them.
I do not think you need to take a German reader with you. I do not know German but can read the kirchenbuch with the assistance of an alphabet chart and a dictionary. The old German script is difficult to read in that letters are not in the Roman alphabet that we are familiar with and it takes a lot of patience to read it but it can be done. Your average modern German can't read the script any easier than you can because it has not been used in Germany since before WWII. See http://familysearch.org/learn/wiki/en/Germany_Handwriting for assistance in reading the script and to obtain an alphabet chart.
Jul 1, 2014
Marilyn Potter Oppenborn Steber
Diane, I wrote to several members of the Tuphorn family in Germany and received a little information, but the best was a response from someone on the internet in Germany. Her English was wonderful. She understood contractions, and wrote with such seeming ease I thought she had gone to school here. Turned out, she was a high school student, and had never been out of Germany. She was a descendant of a sister of my 48er. She and her siblings have gone on to college and I don't hear from her anymore. But I have the information taken from the Kirchenbuch saying he had gone to Amerika because of his involvement with the rebellion thus confirming a family legend.
Jul 1, 2014
Marilyn Potter Oppenborn Steber
To Paul and Catherine: I tend to forget that some folks live far from research facilities like Family History Centers. In San Diego, I have a multi-stake FHC within ten miles by interstate, a public library with a whole floor devoted to Gen research books 45 miles up the coast, and a nearby branch with a Librarian with a Masters in Library Science. Now that I am somewhat disabled, I love doing a little research on the computer, but It is not the same as cranking the handle on a microfilm reader and getting hints from other researchers present.
Jul 1, 2014
Paul Hart
Yep, FHC’s are the way to go. Not all the records are there, but you should check there first. :) We actually have a small one in Kaiserslautern. I volunteer there once a month or so to help folks with their German research.
Yes, most people here can speak some English. Some are reluctant to speak, but can at least understand.
@Catherine, I agree you do not need a German speaker for pulling names and dates out of the records. However, I think it is a mistake not to eventually get them completely translated as much as possible. I have seen some great stories hidden in the records. That is what we are after right? I once found a whole branch of my tree still living here in Germany because I translated my distant aunt’s marriage record (from about 1840) and found a brother (who I had thought might have died young) in the record. He was living 30km away and I had had no idea where he was. His name and town were buried about 75% down in the record. Not all records are gold mines, but you never know.
Jul 1, 2014
Marilyn Potter Oppenborn Steber
I've gone back in the forum archives from several years ago. I wish there was a way to pull out the names of those being researched without having to do so, but I am persistent. Is there a list?
Jul 1, 2014
Catherine Davis
@Paul Hart. I agree that the entire record should be translated, but most records are not that difficult to figure out at least the gist of what is there and do not require professional help. Perhaps I am lucky that I have a knack for reading languages. Speaking a language is a different story.
Jul 1, 2014
Joy Rehm Benninghoven
I will share and hope to find information on the following German families that came to America.
Gottlieb Benninghoven md Henrietta Krieger in Duesseldorf area. born in area.
]Krieger parents?] immigrated @ 1875 to Seward, NE.
son Otto Benninghoven md Flora Winkler b Riley, KS
Auguste & Fredrick Winkler born Germany to St. Louis then Riley, KS & built mills on Fancy Creek, KS. These brothers married sisters who came from Germany also.
Anna and Pauline Voegler.
Jul 21, 2014
Joy Rehm Benninghoven
On my side, Johann Henrich Rehm born 15 Jan 1818 Darmstadt, Hesse ?... came by 1850 Cen in Ozaukee, WI with mother Katarina nee ? b1782 & sister Maria b 1816 Hessia. HENRY md. Louisa Thieme b 15 Jan 1838 [TC Thieme & Emelie Mai Thieme-Lanstadt >] 9 Sept. 1902 9th Ward Milwaukee. They are buried in the Union Cemetery Milwaukee. Ang help is welcome & I'll be happy to share. mgarabians@eaglecom.net. Joy
Jul 21, 2014
Paul Hart
Hi Joy, I have family from the Düsseldorf area and have done some research there. Right now I have no plans for going back, but that could change. Contact me privately and let me a little more about where you are researching and I will try to remember to look for you when/if I go.
Jul 22, 2014
Kate Wagner
Paul, it's really not that difficult to gleen the story from the records without hiring a translator or imposing upon the next person over at the research table. It's called a German to English dictionary, learning the basic terminology of the records, and availing oneself of several free online translators. Works for most European languages. I can't speak for translating Chinese, Japanese, etc. but for the Romance languages, it works like a charm. Perhaps it's just that I'm more private in my research and enjoy the quiet and solititude of the respositories to think and analyze my findings, while engaging in conversation with other researchers from time to time. My work is mine alone.
Jul 22, 2014
Michelle Gimelberg
Another question for you wonderful people...I'm attempting to search my great-grandfather's military service. I know that he was in the German Army during World War II. Then at some point he was captured (not sure where) and sent to a POW camp in Yugoslavia. I know nothing about searching military records in foreign countries. I've been focused on the Civil War here in the United States.
My question is, is it possible to scan records/search records here in the United States without making a trip to Germany? The war is a very emotional topic for my grandmother and she was only 10 when the war ended so she doesn't know very much of my great-grandfather's service. Any help or direction would be very much appreciated.
--Michelle
Jul 22, 2014
Catherine Davis
Michelle,
See https://familysearch.org/learn/wiki/en/Germany_Military_Records .
Jul 22, 2014
Linda Gray
I am trying to find documentation that William Lawbaugh, b. Oct. 10, 1823 in Tuscarawas Co., Ohio is the son of John J. Laubach (Lawbaugh), b. July 8, 1799 in Columbia PA. This John J. was the son of Lewis Laubach and Mary Ann Clinger. They are both buried in the family plot in Geneseo, IL. So far I have not found birth, death, or church records linking them as father and son. William married Lydia Ummel in Nov. 1849 so was out the the family home of John J. and Margaret Schaub for the 1850 census. I seem to be against the wall and could use any help one might be kind enough to give. Thank You, Linda Gray
Jul 25, 2014
Paul Hart
Kate, I agree with you that it is possible to get the information from Google Translate. It is fine for pulling names, places and dates out of a document.
However, if you are not familiar with German, and you are looking for a detailed translation, it may not work or give you the wrong info. I know. I have tried it. There is an older woman on a German mailing list with the current problem. She is 85 years old, does not know German and according to her it is, "too late for me to learn now."
I have been translating records for about five years now. Nobody is perfect, but I do a lot better job of translating the record into readable English. It took me four hours to get an A in the five-week German language course listed above.
So if funds are tight and you just want an overview of the document, yes use Google Translate. However, if you have no clue how to read German and do not want to learn; if you want the record in detail and in readable English, you may want to hire someone to do the translation.
Jul 28, 2014
Catherine Davis
Paul, are you a translator who gets paid for your work or are you volunteering your services?
Jul 28, 2014
Paul Hart
I am not a certified translator if that is what you mean. I do not translate new stuff. In fact, I have been working specifically for about the last five years only on German documents from the 1800s.
I am willing to help folks with minor stuff for free. Things like words not found on Google Translate or where the German writing is bad. I have so much on my plate though that I cannot be doing full out translations unless it was worth my while. Between a full time job, school, kids, home and my own research, I just do not have the time.
Family Historians do try to help each other though, so I volunteer at the local FHC. I have helped a good number of people find paths around the brick walls in their German research.
I also have a database online documenting records I have seen. These are just names, dates and places I have noted in my own research. I am considering eventually doing up books of translated records from specific German towns and self-publishing them. Once again, when and if I ever find the time...
Jul 28, 2014
Joy Rehm Benninghoven
In Milwaukee, WI, USA, Gary Rebolz has been translating German Obits. He helped me find my Dad's family now in Union Cemetery. I paid him per obit and am SO grateful. I now know where my Rehm & Thieme families came from in Germany. I now need to know the next step in Darmstadt Hessen 1818 and Langstadt Germany 1811 were their birth dates. Thanks for any help.
Jul 28, 2014
Velma St John
I'm researching my Langguth line. I have the Civil War pension file for Simon Langguth (also known as Longhead/Longguth in Civil War records). According to the file Simon married Caroline Baetz September 1862 in Weidersrothe, Germany. However, I cannot find this location and have no clue as to where in Germany it is located. According to the New York passenger list in 1875 they came from Sachsen and the 1880 U. S. Census record states they came from Saxony. Has anyone heard of Weidersrothe or come across the name in your research? I tried to Google it but got nowhere. Any suggestions of where I might find some clues?
Aug 19, 2014
Marianne Szabo
Velma - the person filling out the Civil War pension file may not have heard the name of the town correctly, or spelled it incorrectly. I was able to find Wiedersbach in Sachsen, Preussen (Prussia), Germany on familysearch.org. They have a microfilm of church records from there that you can request to be sent to a Family History Center near you.
https://familysearch.org/search/catalog/results?count=20&placeI...
When I search Simon and his wife at FamilySearch.org, 300 possible records come up:
https://familysearch.org/search/record/results?count=20&query=%...
Aug 19, 2014
Velma St John
Thank you so much, Marianne. It's a great lead!
Aug 19, 2014
Joy Rehm Benninghoven
Paul Hart.. Thank you for letting me know you were going to Duesseldorf on holiday. If you had time to look up my Lutheran records for family, I look forward to hearing from you. Joy B
Aug 20, 2014
Melissa Doum
I am trying to help my husband research his family line. I know my father in law immigrated to the US from Belgium when he was 8 with his parents but they never really talked about their lives. To start I have Johann Doum (1915-1996) and his wife, Nanna Dunzelman (1917-1988). I know the names of Nanni's parents but that is as far back as I can go on her. As far as Johann, I know he has 15 brothers and sisters and that is all I know. I can probably get some more information from my father in-law but this really is the bulk of what he knows. Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks!
Sep 9, 2014
Marianne Szabo
Melissa - is this who you are looking for (Ancestry, but you should be able to see the results, if not the images, even if you're not a member.
http://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?gl=ROOT_CATEGORY&ran...
Family Search doesn't have records for Belgium for the years involved.
Sep 9, 2014
Lori Leong
Hi - I am relatively new at genealogy & have never posted on a site before so apologies in advance for any etiquette breaches. My grandfather (Schneider) was born in the former German colony of Windthorst (now Nova Topola,S erbia) which briefly existed between 1879 and 1944. His parents immigrated there from Adenau, Rhineland Prussia (it was very exciting to find the birth records from Adenau on familysearch). I would be interested to know if anyone else has ancestors from Windthorst. I am also trying to trace any descendents of my grandfather's brothers and sisters. He seems to have lost contact with them after he immigrated to Canada in 1929 and they were evacuated from the colony during WWII. Regards, Lori
Nov 7, 2014
Catherine Davis
For Melissa Doum--many Belgium records are available at familysearch--https://familysearch.org/search/collection/location/1927071. Also, have you checked passenger records on the Ellis Island website? http://www.libertyellisfoundation.org/passenger
Nov 7, 2014
louise duncalf
in my research of german name grams i can only go back to a william grams born in october 30 1851 in germany. married wilhelmina albertina radunz. had 2 children born and buried in germany.4 others were born in germany but buried in rock island,ill.had 10 children. otto born in rock island
Apr 27, 2015
Russ Smith
I am seeking information pertaining to Philipp Schmidt who was married to Elisabetha Margaretha Spaeth Their son Johannes was married and their daughter Anna Elisabetha was baptized at the Evangelisch, Reichenbach, Starkenburg, Hess-darmstadt Germany. So they were long term residents in this area between at least 1841 thru 1875.
Jun 12, 2015
Joy Rehm Benninghoven
My gtgmom Carolyn Louisa Thieme Rehm's death certificate in Milwaukee, WI 9-9-1902 says her parents were TC Charles Thieme b 27 Oct 1811 Prussia Sachsen Germ. d Milwaukee 1891 and Emelia Mai or May b 1812 same Germany & d 21 Nov. 1889 Milwaukee & buried in Union Cemetery. A German Milwaukee man translated the Obit in German for me. maybe they were from Langstadt. They were in 9th Ward in 1870 Cen, Ideas to research back are much appreciated. Joy B
Jun 13, 2015
Joy Rehm Benninghoven
My dad, Charles Ernest Rehm's family, Johann Heinrich Rehm b Jan 1818 came from Hessia.. [Friedrichsbruek ?], Darmstadt and were Lutheran..Evangelisch. J Heinrich is on 1860 C Fredonia, Ozaukee Co, Wis with mother C or Katherine b 1782 and sister Marie 44, b 1816.Hessia Prussia both. I wonder if he didn't have a first family as in 1870 C Fredonia, Ozaukee, Wis is Henry Rame/ Rehm , 52 then William 29 & Mary , 25 then / & Theodore is 46. Henry later marries Carolyn Louisa Thieme Froede, a widow in Jan 1872 in Milwaukee. Her two sons by Charles A Froede. Albert b 1852 & Herman b 1860 in Peoria, IL go to live with her parents Charles & Emelia Mai Thieme. Any help in next steps of research are appreciated. Joy B
Because of his age when marrying Louisa Thieme Froede 1872
Jun 13, 2015
Joy Rehm Benninghoven
Another interesting find was the Milwaukee, Wis Civil War Draft 1 July 1863 under Rahr. included: Henry 43, Carl 41, Frederich 44, and Ferdinand 39 Rahr/ Rehm. To me they are a bit old ??
Jun 13, 2015
Cynthia Thomas
I have been tracing the Kleins from Nebraska to Saarland Westfalen Prussia. I have traced them back to the 1500s, but feel some cleanup needs to be done that far back.
Jun 25, 2015
Catherine Davis
Joy--The Enrollment Act of 1863 required men between 20 and 45 to sign up for the draft. http://www.archives.gov/publications/prologue/1994/winter/civil-war...
Jun 25, 2015
Catherine Davis
Tim, have you tried finding the book as an inter-library loan through either your local or state public library? However, if you can't find it, It looks to be available at a few libraries in Michigan and I can request it via the Michigan Electronic Library and send you the entry on Haveniths, if you can't get it yourself. I don't know how long it might take. Let me know if you want me to pursue.
Jun 26, 2015
Catherine Davis
Tim, it's not any hardship at all to attempt to get this book--whether or not I'm successful may be another question. Most of the public libraries in the state of Michigan, where I live, are linked through an electronic master catalog and cooperative organization. With my local library card number, I can request online any book in that catalog--and I found the several libraries with the book you want--and the cooperative will locate the book and have it delivered to my local library. Sometimes, however, the books in the catalog turn out not to be at the libraries claiming them and so it might take a while for the coop to locate an actual copy. I'll put the request in today and keep my fingers crossed that it brings a quick response!
Jun 27, 2015