German Research Track at FGS 2018

German ancestry is claimed by millions of Americans. Because it is such a common research need for genealogists, there is an entire track devoted to it at FGS 2018, in Fort Wayne, Indiana 22-25 August 2018.

Chuck Knuthson Memorial Lecture: Methods for Identifying the German Origins of American Immigrants by Michael D. Lacopo, DVM
Sponsored by Midwestern Roots
If all you know from conventional records is “Germany” as a place of origin, then this lecture will help you mine other resources to locate WHERE in Germany your ancestor came from.

Newcomers Documented: Finding Your Ancestors in German Residential Registration Lists by Charlotte Noelle Champenois
Sponsored by BYU Center for Family History and Genealogy
If you move to Germany, you have to register your place of residence with the city. Every time you move within the country, even within a single city, you have to abmeld (de-register) from the old place and anmeld (register) at the new place. This system is a way of life in Germany and is nothing new—in fact, your ancestors may have had to register in much the same way. Learn how to use residential registration lists to find German ancestors and to trace them back to their hometowns.

German Historical Geography by Daniel R. Jones, MA, AG
Sponsored by FamilySearch
Want to figure out where the records of your German ancestors are? Come and learn what historical geography is and how it effects where to look for records. We'll be talking about what exactly "Germany" is and tools on how to identify where to go next for records.

German Census Records 1816–1916: Where Are They Hidden? by Charlotte Noelle Champenois
Sponsored by BYU Center for Family History and Genealogy
In U.S. family history research, the first record to turn to is the census. The same does not hold true in German research, but censuses were taken in Germany as well—and about half of these records still exist. Of the thirty-eight states of the German Empire, every single one has conducted censuses. Dr. Roger P. Minert’s book German Census Records 1816-1916: The When, Where, and How of a Valuable Genealogical Resource, published in 2016, helps identify which German states have censuses from which years. Learn how to locate existing German census records, including what German words and phrases to look up when in search of German census records (the variety will surprise you!).

Register now for FGS 2018 in Fort Wayne, Indiana August 22-25! (Early bird discount until July 1. Register now and save!)