Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania (Mecklenburg-Vorpommern) Historical Background

Historical Background

 * In 1701, Frederick William and Adolphus Frederick II divided the Duchy of Mecklenburg between Schwerin and Strelitz.


 * On 1 January 1934, Free States of Mecklenburg-Schwerin and Mecklenburg-Strelitz were united to form the newstate of Mecklenburg.


 * After World War II, the Soviet government occupying eastern Germany merged Mecklenburg with the smaller neighboring region of Western Pomerania (Vorpommern) to form the state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.Wikipedia

Research to Find the Town of Origin
If you do not yet know the name of the town of your ancestor's birth, there are well-known strategies for a thorough hunt for it.
 * Use Germany Finding Town of Origin as a guide in finding evidence in United States records proving your ancestors' town of origin. Also see Germany Emigration and Immigration, especially for immigration to countries other than the United States.

Maps
Germany was first unified as a nation in 1871. For German research prior to 1945, the Research Wiki, FamilySearch Catalog, and FamilySearch Historical Records are organized by the place names in use from 1871 to 1945. For research in that time period, use the Wiki links in the chart below:
 * To find the 1871 duchy or province for your town, use Meyer's 1871 Gazetteer Online.