German genealogical research should include a careful and detailed review of “compiled sources.” Compiled sources are simply defined as the findings of previous researchers. Today they exist as personal websites, online family trees, genealogical articles in periodicals, book-length family histories, genealogical compendia, and even as manuscript collections. What is surprising to most researchers is that these types of records exist for German families. What is perhaps even more unexpected is that there are millions of Germans and their families named in such records. Moreover, many are reasonably well-indexed, and not all that difficult to access, even for researchers who don’t read German well.
In this course we will explore various compiled sources including Collections and Databases, Family Histories and Bibliographies, Lineage Books, Periodicals, Biographical and Local Sources.
Course Content
Module 1
Collections & Databases
Note about Web Addresses
Websites
Introduction
Nature of Compiled Sources
Collections & Databases
Finding Resources
FamilySearch Catalog & Books
• FamilySearch Catalog
• Searching the Catalog
• Terminology
• Catalog Partners
• Ordering Microforms through FamilySearch
Family History Books
• Family History Books Search & Advanced Search
• Family History Books Advanced Search
WorldCat
Online Family Trees
• GedBas
• Geneanet
• MyHeritage
Pedigree Collections (Ahnenstammkarti)
• Ancestral List (Ahnenlistenumaluf)
Manuscript & Card Files
Locating Other Researchers
Exercise
Module 2
Family Histories & Bibliographies
Websites
Introduction
Book Family Histories
German Family Archive (Deutsches Familienarchiv)
Bibliographies & Indexes
• General Genealogical Bibliographies
• Local History Bibliographies
Exercise
Module 3
Lineage Books
Websites
Lineage Books
• German Lineage Books (Deutsches Geschlechterbuch)
• Nobility Lineage Books
Exercise
Module 4
Periodicals
Websites
Periodicals
• Nature of German Periodicals
• Nature of North American German Periodicals
Periodical Source Index (PERSI)
Indexes to German Periodicals
Module 5
Biographical Sources
Websites
Introduction
Book Biographies
Collective Biographies
Identifying Biographical Sources
German Biographical Archive
Funeral Sermon Collections (Leichenpredigten)
Exercise
Module 6
Local Sources
Websites
Introduction
Village Lineage Books (Ortssippenbuch/Ortsfamilienbuch)
• Online Ortsfamilienbücher
• Coverage of Village Lineage Books
Local Histories (Ortschronik
• Accessing Histories
House Chronicles (Hausbücher)
Exercise
Conclusion
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