Exploring German Genealogy - June 2023
In this 4-week course, join Stephen Wendt as he helps you track your German ancestors, starting in the United States, heading across the Atlantic, and landing in their village of origin in their home country.
Meet Your Instructor, Stephen Wendt
Course Access:
Course Objectives & Outlines
Learn To Use the Course Player
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Decentralization and Changing Boarders
Major Political Periods
Religion in Germany
Modern German Geography
Germans Outside Germany
The German Language
Names
Getting Around Language Barriers
Reading German Records
Lesson 1 Quiz
Skill Building and Discussion
Key Points, Additional Reading and Ask a Question
The First Wave of German Immigrants, ca. 1607-1800
The Second Wave of German Immigrants, ca. 1800-1920
Differing motivations
The Basics of Genealogical Research
Records to Use to Identify Immigrant Ancestors: Census Records
Records to Use to Identify Immigrant Ancestors: Vital Records
Records to Use to Identify Immigrant Ancestors: Church Records
Records to Use to Identify Immigrant Ancestors: Probate and land records
Records to Use to Identify Immigrant Ancestors: Newspapers
Records to Use to Identify Immigrant Ancestors: Unofficial records
Lesson 2 Quiz
Skill-Building Exercise and Discussion
Keys Points and Ask a Question
Finding Your Ancestor's Home Town
Immigration Records
Additional Records and Sources
Methodologies
Example - Johannes Beidler
Example - Johannes Dinius
Lesson 3 Quiz
Skill-Building Exercise and Discussion
Keys Points, Additional Reading and Ask a Question
German Church Record Basics
Using German Records
Finding German Church Records Online
Finding Parishes
Civil Registration Records
Population Register Cards
Online Heritage Books and Pedigrees
The Family History Library
Records in Germany
What Records are Available in Germany?
Boundaries and Border Changes
Where Did Germans Settle?
Lesson 4 Quiz
Skill-Building and Discussion
Keys Points, Additional Reading and Ask a Question
Download the lesson text and a list of resources
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Instructor
Our courses consist of four or more written lessons that may also contain videos, slide shows, and other elements. There are self-directed quizzes and/or exercises to help you apply your knowledge. In addition, you'll have access to discussion boards where you can ask your instructor, questions about the materials during the course dates.
Instructor access for the duration of the four weeks, so you can ask questions about what you've learned.
Our courses are designed to be easily accessible! Once you've registered for the course, you'll be able to log in on the start date to see all the lessons. Each lesson is available within your browser. You can work at your own pace.
All the materials will be available for download, and you'll have access to the course materials online for about a year after the start date. After the course end date, it will go into read-only mode, so you'll still be able to reach the materials, but you'll no longer have access to the instructor or message boards.
Please ensure that you have internet access and that your browsers and computer system are fairly up-to-date. The course materials are designed to be compatible with most devices.