There are many genealogical, family, and local history societies throughout Germany. Some of these organizations have compiled genealogies, extracted and indexed parish registers, compiled local histories, completed inventories of existing records, and written countless articles which give pertinent instructions for doing genealogical research in various types of records for various localities.

To obtain access to the above-mentioned material you need do the following:

A. Learn to read the German language.

B. Determine the locality of origin of your German Ancestors. (This will usually pertain to Germany as it existed prior to 1919, see Chapters 4, 5, 6, 8 and Appendix B for help in determining places of origin and the name of the kingdom, province or duchy to which it belonged.)

C. Determine the largest genealogical and/or historical society for the geographic area of your interest. For example, if your family was from the Palatinate area of Western Germany, you would want to join the West German Society of Family History. This organization produces a quarterly periodical entitled, “Mitteilungen Der Westdeutsche Gesellsckaft Fur Familienkunde.” It contains excellent articles on genealogical research in Western Germany, along with inventories of records and many other helpful aids. To join this organization, write to:

Westdeutsche Gesellschaft Fur Familienkunde E.V.
Rotdornstr. 6
5000 Koln 50
Germany

For current membership fee costs you will need to write to the individual society.

D. Next you should see if there is an organization which covers the kingdom, province, or principality of the place of origin where you are doing research, for the Palatinate area it would be the following:

Arbeitsgemeinschaft Fur Pfalzisch-Rheinische Familienkunde
Rottstr. 17
6700 Ludwigshafen
Germany

Along with your membership you will receive an excellent periodical entitled “Pfalzisch- Rheinische Familienkunde.” For help in doing research in East and Southeast Europe order the following: “Wegweiser fur die Forschung Nach Vorfahren aus den Ostdeutschen und Sudetendeutschen Gebieten Sowie aus den Deutschen Siedlungsgebieten in Ost- und Sudosteuropa (AGoFF-Wegweiser)” from Verlag Degener & Co., Nurnberger Strasse 27, 8530 Neustadt (Aisch), Germany. There are also organizations for all other areas of Germany as well. A list of these is found at the back of this chapter.

E. Finally, once you belong to the organization of the area of your interest you should determine if there is a family organization for the surname of your interest. This may be determined by corresponding with the area organizations or by running an ad in one or more of the above-mentioned periodicals. You will find such organizations very happy to accept membership requests from their American cousins, and very worthwhile in helping you to extend your pedigrees. You, on the other hand, should be prepared to participate with financial assistance in furthering the family organization's projects. You will find such organizations very interested in obtaining the names and family connections of their American family members. Be sure and contribute all that you can from the American side. Wonderful friendships can be developed with perhaps visits from or to your German cousins. This can be one of the most rewarding of genealogical experiences.

F. The following is a sample letter that you can use to inquire about membership in the appropriate organization. Just fill in the name of the organization and other pertinent information in the appropriate space. Included with your letter should be at least two (2) International Reply Coupons. These are obtainable from any post office and can be used in Germany for return postage. Do not send U.S. postage.

GERMAN

Sehr Geehrte Herren!

Ich habe festgestellt,dass meine Ahnen ursprunglich aus _________ stammen. Deshalb mochte ich gerne ein Mitglied ihrer Gesellschaft werden. Konnen sie mir sagen wie viel es kosten wird? Die Familiennamen an welche ich ein besonderes Interesse habe, sind folgende: ___________________________________ Ich wurde auch gerne wissen, ob schon Familenvereine fur die obengennannten Eamiliennamen bestehen. Wurden Sie bitte so freundlich sein, wenn soiche vorhanden sind, mir bescheid zu genen wie ich mich mit den Familienvereinen in Verbindung sitzen kann. Zur Deckung Ihrer Gebuehren lege ich zwei Coupons bei, die Sie auf Ihrem Postamt gegen Luftpostmarken eintauschen koennen.

Mit vorzuglicher Hochachtung verbleibe ich,

ENGLISH TRANSLATION

Dear Sir:

I have determined that my ancestors originally came from _____________. For this reason I would like to become a member of your organization. Could you tell me how much it will cost? The family names for which I have the greatest interest are as follows: ______________. I would also like to know if there are any family organizations organized around any of the above mentioned surnames. If there are, would you be so kind as to instruct me as to how I can get in touch with them. To cover your fees I am enclosing two coupons that you can exchange for airmail postage.

With kindest regards.