German genealogical research across the pond

More and more individuals have become excited about exploring their own personal history, as a result of watching the popular television programs “Finding Your Roots,” “Who Do You Think You Are?” and/or “Genealogical Road Show.”

Many will begin their research by first collecting data from family and friends, locally available U.S. public or church vital records, tombstone, cemetery and U.S. census records. But, the question most people will raise eventually is “How to I research my immigrant ancestor in his or her native land?” 

For a large number of U.S. residents, their immigrant ancestor first resided in Europe and, often, in the region now known as Germany. It is true that records here and "across the pond" are being digitized and uploaded to the web, at a dizzying rate. But, to be successful in one's search for German ancestors, it is necessary to have a working knowledge of German culture, history and record-keeping systems.

Betty Franklin, from the Westlake LDS Family History Center, has this knowledge and can offer excellent advice on how to conduct genealogical research of German immigrant ancestors. She will present “German Research is Like Strudel: It Unfolds One Layer at a Time” to members and guests of the Cuyahoga West Chapter of the Ohio Genealogical Society on Wednesday, May 20, at 7 p.m., in the Porter Room of Westlake Porter Public Library, 27333 Center Ridge Road. The public is invited at no charge.  Social time, with refreshments, is from 6:30-7 p.m. 

For questions or additional information, visit www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~ohcwogs or email:  cuyahogawest@gmail.com.

    

Jayne Broestl

Publicity Chair for the Cuyahoga West Chapter of the Ohio Genealogical Society that meets at Westlake Porter Public Library.

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Volume 7, Issue 10, Posted 9:53 AM, 05.19.2015