We are excited about this new series, and for good reason. It is the best, and easiest, way to find your ancestor’s records. The series is the result of years of research, poring over maps and parish definitions, compiling data, and working to produce a format that will be easy for the researcher to use. The result is a 45 volume set (each volume is 200-300+ pages long) that covers all of Germany.
This series is the definitive guide for locating parishes in 1800s Germany. Unique maps, found only in this series, show the boundaries for each of the 19th century German parishes. Both Catholic and Lutheran. They provide a view of how the various parishes fit together and define the boundaries of each district, adjoining towns, and surrounding parishes. Where other minor religions are present, information is also included.
To use these guides, first determine which region your ancestors lived in (Hessen, Baden, Württemberg, Hessen-Nassau, Oldenburg, Schleswig-Holstein, Mecklenburg, Rhineland, Pfalz, Saxony, Prussia, etc.). Within the region locate the province and then the parish on the maps and cross-reference parish to the Parish Key and Town Index. The index is conveniently located next to the map page. The Parish Key provides the FHL microfilm number that you will need. The microfilms can be obtained from your local Family History Center (find one near you). If the film is not available from the Center they will obtain it for you from the Library in Salt Lake City. A nominal fee is charged. If you already know the town then use the Parish Index at the back of the book to determine which map to reference to locate the records for that town. Lutheran and Catholic parishes each have their own section in the book to prevent confusion in determining which records you will need. (Click on image to see larger version.)
These books are more than just maps and indexes. Included in each volume is a historical background of the region with important information for genealogists trying to find their ancestors; lists of other resources and archives; relevant periodicals and collections; a list of towns with lineage books that contain vital information; and, detailed instructions for using the book. A large map at the front of the book shows the provinces of the region.
Each book also details the other religions within the region and indicates the FHL microfilm number you will need to access those records, including German Reform, Mennonite, Jewish, and French Reformed churches. In order for a town to have been assigned to a particular parish there needed to be residents of that religious persuasion living in the town. In an area which was predominately Lutheran, many of the towns would not have had residents who were Catholic.
The author of the Map Guide to German Parish Registers is Kevan M. Hansen. Kevan has been addicted to family history research since he was a teenager. After attending college for several years with an emphasis on being an accountant, he decided he would die young from boredom if he pursued his studies and instead began genealogical research full time. Kevan specializes in German research and lived in Germany for a few years. He has worked in many different aspects of genealogy, including tracing ancestry for genetics for the University of Utah, and has written several articles for Ancestry magazine. He is a former president of the Salt Lake Chapter of the Association of Professional Genealogists and is the author of Ancestry’s Finding Your German Ancestors: A Beginner’s Guide published in 1999. He is also the author of the soon to be released German Genealogy Toolbook.
Family Roots Publishing Company is proud to publish this series that, for German researchers, is one of the best finding aids ever.