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Question:How do you get records from Germany from someone that was born in germany in about 1850 and then come over to the U.S. I would like to know how to get the birth cert. when I don't know where in germany he was born.


Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: How do you get records from Germany from someone that was born in germany in about 1850 and then come over to the U.S. I would like to know how to get the birth cert. when I don't know where in germany he was born.

Unfortunately, you would need to know his/her place of origin in order to continue your search.

Familysearch.org (aka the Mormon's genealogy website) has an excellent online guide to "Determining a Place of Origin in Germany." Key records would be ship passenger lists (Have you tried the Ellis Island or Castle Garden websites?), naturalization records, and even military records.

See the guide for step-by-step instructions:
http://www.familysearch.org/Eng/Search...

They also have a free online "Genealogical Handbook of German Research."
http://www.familysearch.org/Eng/Search...

Here's another excellent page that outlines German research. It also discusses how to find the modern equivalent of places that "no longer exist" on today's map of Germany!
http://www.howtogermany.com/pages/gene...

Familysearch.org has also digitized hundreds of German records. When you determine where your ancestor is from, it is likely that you will be able to rent microfilm of their birth, marriage or census records at familysearch.org. See their website for their library catalog and for their nearest location.

from gene-e: Y!A is cutting off long URLs right now, so mine weren't displayed completely Report It


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  • I haven't been able to find an email address for this German office which is the equivalent of the GRO ( General Register Office) here in the UK, but there is a phone number for it that might help.
    GERMANY
    Standesamt I in Berlin
    Ruckerstr.9, 10119 Berlin
    Federal Republic of Germany
    Tel: (00)49 40 58 94-0
    Fax: (00 49) 40 58 94 99
    Hope this helps.