Commentary - Research in Germany
A Second Opinion

I have researched in Germany over a period of 8 years. I have found the following differences from American research.

1. Generally, there is no central place to look for someone's birth or death. All church records are kept separately. Thus, you must know exactly where the ancestor lived. That often presents a real challenge.

2. When in Germany, the pastors are so busy that they have little time for you to research. And, over the past 8 years, some of the church archives have become VERY expensive.

3. Very few small churches have the ability to allow photocopying of the church records -- plus many do not allow it because of the fragile state of the old records.

4. I have never seen German records available in GERMANY for viewing in the LDS offices. If you wish to look at German records -- go to Switzerland or France. Or, come to America.

5. Also, if you are in Germany, some of the privacy laws are restrictive. Different churches and different archives have different laws. Some places wish proof that you are a DIRECT descendant.

6. In the state of Saxony, it is necessary to have a "license" to look the church books. This license is free but also has some restrictions. As an example, the last time if tried to renew my certificate, I was denied. (It was my third year). The reason for the denial was that I was writing a book on my family. The authorities felt that it was a "commercial enterprise" and therefore the information was restricted from me.

7. Part of Mecklenberg is very easy for research but the other half is practically closed to everyone.

8. I think the biggest difference between American and German research is the fact that each locality has it's own rules. Some places are very easy and others are very difficult. As a general rule, the eastern states are more difficult.

9. And of course, the biggest problem is that we Americans rely on the census records...Germany does not have the same type of census as we, and it would be closed to us normally. There were Citizens records that included who lived where, but only in the larger cities.

These are just a few of my observations.

--Marilyn