Sources

The main sources and archival authorities that will be evaluated during the researches always depend on the century the researches are concentrated and of course on the different goals of the research.

Concerning the sources we have to devide between primary and secondary records.

Next you will find some of the frequently used records during a genealogical research.

Primary sources

• Civil records (birth-, marriage-, death and family records all over Germany since 1876, in
  Prussia since 1874)
  
  
• Civil records (frz.: état civil) on the right and on the left of the Rhine since Napoleon times
  (1798-1874)
  
  
• Registration records with the townships and communities
  
  
• Church records (Baptism, marriage, death/burials) – Lutherian church records in German
  language are kept since the 16th century; catholic church records were written until the 19th
  century in latin language. They start with theTrienter Konzil in 1563.
  
  
• Family register kept by the parishes in Württemberg 1807-1876 (by order of state)
  
  
• Sources of the Jewish history (Mohel- und Memorbücher, staatl. Judenregister)
  
  
• Phonebooks and directories (since 19th century)
  
  
• Notary and court records
  
  
• Various Sources like tax files, citizen records, lists of public servants, parish records,
  university records etc.

Secondary sources

• Literature: genealogical, family and heraldic literature (kept in bibliographies)
  
  
• Registers of coats of arms
  
  
• Biographical reference book
  
  
• Emigration records
  
  
• Local history books
  
  
• Genealogical and heraldic journals
  
  
• Genealogical and heraldic data banks