In Search of Your German Roots: A Complete Guide to Tracing Your Ancestors in the Germanic Areas of Europe

by Angus Baxter

This updated edition of “In Search of Your German Roots” is designed to help you trace your German ancestry; not only in Germany but in all the German- speaking areas of Europe, from the Baltic to the Crimea, from the Czech Republic to Belgium. Like all books by Angus Baxter, it shows you how to conduct your research by correspondence and e-mail; how to work in your own home, at your computer, using the resources of libraries and archives or the records of church and state.Thanks to the Internet, it’s much easier to search for your German ancestors today than when the book was originally written. All of the major archives and many of the smaller ones, as well as church parishes, have websites containing contact information and information on their holdings. Correspondence can now often be handled more quickly and less expensively via e-mail. An ever increasing number of databases with information relevant to German ancestor-hunters—passenger lists, cemetery records, surname directories, etc.—has greatly improved opportunities for research.While these developments in no way alter the nature of the records or the research techniques described in this work, readers should be aware that the growing list of websites, online databases, and CD-ROMs devoted to German genealogy have made the task of locating your German ancestors immeasurably easier.This edition of the book includes website and e-mail addresses whenever possible, covers the newest facilities and records available to researchers, and lists the online resources that will be invaluable in your search.

Genres: Germany, Nonfiction, German Literature, Reference

122 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1987

Reviews

[Katharine Ott · Rating 4 out of 5]

"In Search of Your German Roots" - written by Angus Baxter and this 3rd edition published in 1994 by Genealogical Publishing Co. Although this book was published 25 years ago, before the internet had become such an established presence, many of the suggestions are still valid. I enjoyed Baxter's positive attitude about the family history search and he covered a lot of ground in this slim book. In the last few pages he tells the story of one of his memorable finds, concluding, "In that moment all my ancestors crowded around me and all my searching for my roots was worthwhile. Go forward then - there is still magic in the world, and love and warmth and happiness."

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Five stars are reserved for amazing books and this was one. I learned about a variety of records that are unique to Germany and this book has great info to get information from overseas. Now all that's stopping me from taking my family tree back centuries is knowing what village in Hesse and Baden my great-great grandparents came from! I'm working on that....