Welcome!
Thank you for registering for the online conference, Researching German Ancestors: Records, Resources, and Repositories!
Germans have been emigrating to America since the seventeenth century and today are the largest self-reported ancestry group living in the country. No matter when your ancestors arrived in the U.S., this online seminar will teach you how to trace your German ancestry. You will discover key records, resources, and repositories, while gaining important skills and strategies for finding your ancestors. Topics include: migration patterns, finding German origins, deciphering records and German script, using and accessing records, and leveraging online resources.
Through your participation in this online conference, you will be able to:
- Access 5+ hours of pre-recorded presentations
- Hear from renowned speakers, authors, and professional genealogists
- Interact with the instructors and fellow attendees
- Take advantage of special offers and virtual “door prizes”
- Download and/or print handouts, worksheets, and other resources
- Access recordings of each presentation until November 30, 2021
SESSION TOPICS
Class 1: Getting Started, Presented by Rhonda R. McClure
In this first session, Senior Genealogist Rhonda R. McClure will walk you through the beginning steps of German research: understanding waves of immigration to America, getting back to the immigrant generation, finding where in Germany your ancestors came from, and understanding the many German border changes pre- and post-unification.
Class 2: Basics of German Language and Script, Presented by Hallie Borstel
This second class will provide the basics on key terms you’re likely to encounter and how to decipher old German script—Kurrent/Sütterlin or "deutsche Schrift"—and German Gothic (Fraktur) font.
Class 3: German Civil and Religious Records, Presented by Rhonda R. McClure
As with any type of family history research, civil and religious records are your first, go-to resource in German genealogy. For many locations in Germany, civil registration began as early as the late 18th century and some church records (Kirchenbücher) date back to the 16th century. Beyond baptisms, marriages, and burials, many churches also kept family registers (Familienregister or Familienbücher). This session will discuss what records exist, what information they contain, and how to access these important resources.
Class 4: More German Records, Presented by Rhonda R. McClure
Beyond civil and church records, there are many resources that can assist you in your family history research. This session will review town Lineage/family books (Ortssippenbuch/Ortsfamilienbuch), census records (Volkszählungen), emigration records, occupational records, and military records. We will also discuss how to work with German archives and researchers remotely.
Class 5: Research Strategies and Case Studies, Presented by Hallie Borstel
Using several examples and case studies, this final class will demonstrate some key strategies for breaking down genealogical brick walls in German research, including finding your ancestor’s origins and hometown, maiden names of female ancestors, parent’s names, and connecting generations.
Q&A with the Instructor, LIVE!
Broadcasted: Saturday, August 28, 2:00 - 3:30 PM EDT
Chat with the instructors, interact with fellow participants, and get your questions answered! NOTE: A recording will be posted below following the live broadcast.
SPECIAL OFFERS & DOOR PRIZES
Specials: For conference attendees only! — Save $10 on an order of $30 or more at our online bookstore. Just enter GermanConf0821 as your promo code at the time of online checkout. Offer valid until September 4, 2021. Start browsing today!
Door Prizes: Everyone has been entered to win a 30-minute consultation with a genealogist (two chances to win). Winners will be announced at the end of the live Q&A and notified by email.
COURSE HANDOUTS
RECORDED PRESENTATIONS
Click on a session below to access class recordings, handouts, and slides.
Class 1: Getting Started
Presented by: Rhonda R. McClure
Running Time: 56:57
Materials:
Class 2: Basics of German Language and Script
Presented by: Hallie Borstel
Running Time: 1:14:23
Materials:
Class 3: German Civil and Religious Records
Presented by: Rhonda R. McClure
Running Time: 1:06:50
Materials:
Class 4: More German Records
Presented by: Rhonda R. McClure
Running Time: 59:00
Materials:
Class 5: Research Strategies and Case Studies
Presented by: Hallie Borstel
Running Time: 52:58
Materials:
Q&A with Instructors
Presented by: Hallie Borstel and Rhonda R. McClure
Running Time: 1:33:13
Materials:
INSTRUCTOR BIOS
Hallie Borstel, Genealogist has a BA in history with minors in art history and German language from American University, as well as an MA in historic preservation from Tulane University. She joined American Ancestors after several years working in architectural restoration and preservation. She has also worked at the New York Genealogical & Biographical Society, the West Virginia Railroad Museum, and Bender Library at American University. Her research interests include Germany, New York City, immigration history, and 19th-century America.
Rhonda R. McClure, Senior Genealogist is a nationally recognized professional genealogist and lecturer specializing in New England and celebrity research as well as computerized genealogy; is compiler of more than 120 celebrity family trees; has been a contributing editor for Heritage Quest Magazine, Biography magazine and was a contributor to The History Channel Magazine and American History Magazine. In addition to numerous articles, she is the author of ten books, including the award-winning The Complete Idiot's Guide to Online Genealogy, now in its second edition, Finding Your Famous and Infamous Ancestors, and Digitizing Your Family History. Her areas of expertise include: Immigration and naturalization, Late 19th and early 20th Century urban research, Missionaries (primarily in association with the American Board of Commissioners of Foreign Missions), State Department Federal Records, New England, Mid-West, Southern, German, Italian, Scottish, Irish, French Canadian, and New Brunswick research as well as Internet research, genealogical software (FTM, RootsMagic, TMG, Reunion), digital peripherals, and uses both Mac and Windows machines.