In Search of Your German Roots A Complete Guide to Tracing Your Ancestors in [Paperback]

Angus Baxter (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0806314478 | ISBN-13: 978-0806314471 | Publication Date: 1999 | Edition: 3rd

The new, third edition of In Search of Your German Roots is designed to help you trace your German ancestry in all the German-speaking areas of Europe, from the Baltic to the Crimea, from Czechoslovakia to Belgium. The unification of Germany in 1990 resulted in the absorption of the area formerly known as East Germany, or the D.D.R., into the political structure of West Germany, its states, provinces, districts, towns, even churches, now conforming to a national system of organization. Of immediate concern to the genealogist is that changes in local government in "East" Germany have resulted in various innovations in record-keeping practices, in changes in the actual location of some records and record offices, and in the restructuring of old institutions. In addition, in July 1993, every postal address in Germany was changed with the introduction of the new 5-digit postal code system. For research purposes it is essential that the genealogist be current with all of these changes, and therefore Angus Baxter has updated his classic text In Search of Your German Roots, presenting for the first time a manual for genealogical research in a united Germany! And not only does this updated edition reflect changes brought about by unification and changes in the postal codes; the entire work has been revised and updated, and it is now the most current and comprehensive guide to German roots available!

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

This book is designed to aid beginners in finding ancestors in areas that now are or once were part of Germany. It excludes other Germanic areas like historic Austria and Switzerland. Readers will find addresses of archives and libraries, descriptions of key sources, and advice about how to find relatives in Germany today. Originally published in 1987, this edition's new items include a map of united Germany, additional addresses of records' custodians, descriptions of the new Laender (states) of eastern Germany, and postal codes for selected cities in these areas. A few new titles have been added to the bibliography. The best book on the subject is in German: Taschenbuch fuer Fami liengeschichtsforschung , edited by Wolfgang Ribbe and Eckart Henning (Neustadt and der Aisch: Verlag Degener & Co., 1990. 10th ed.). For those who do not read German, Baxter's book is the best substitute. The author excludes non-English materials from his bibliography and does not use notes in the text. He clearly relied heavily upon German resources, but which ones and how current were they? Researchers with roots in eastern Germany and libraries serving them will want this new edition.
- Raymond S. Wright III, Brigham Young Univ., Provo, Ut.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 114 pages
• Publisher: Genealogical Pub Co; 3rd edition (1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0806314478
• ISBN-13: 978-0806314471
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #686,721 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A good place to start, August 29, 2001

By 

Robin G. Sowton "rsowton" (Plano, TX) - See all my reviews

This review is from: In Search of Your German Roots. The Complete Guide to Tracing Your Ancestors in the Germanic Areas of Europe. New Fourth Edition (Paperback)

If you're researching German ancestors who emigrated to the U.S. or Canada, then this book is a good place to start.
Baxter provides a brief history of Germany and describes German migrations over the centuries to specific areas of central Europe such as Silesia, the Banat, parts of Slovakia, the Ukraine, and southern Russia. Baxter also traces migration patterns into North America where many Germans settled in Pennsylvania, the mid-West, and the Kitchener area of Canada.
He describes the different groups that settled in specific areas, including their place of origin, religious background, and dates of migration.
There is also a lot of useful naming information, which includes the changing of names' spellings, the system of patronymics used in some areas of northern Germany, the use of 'von' or 'Von' in one's surname, and the use of diminutives in first names.

27 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars A beginner's guide, August 21, 2000

By 

Mark Howells (Puyallup, Washington State, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: In Search of Your German Roots A Complete Guide to Tracing Your Ancestors in (Paperback)

The sub-title of "A complete guide to tracing your ancestors in the Germanic areas of Europe" is rather misleading. It is not "complete" by any stretch of the imagination.

This is a very brief introduction (103 pages of text) to a very large topic. Some aspects of German research are treated in only the most cursory manner - the Lutheran church covered in a chapter of a single page while the Germans in Canada are dealt with in only 3 pages.

The section on German record types leaves the reader wishing for more information. Which is the feeling the entire book gives "I wish there was more here".

While this book has been updated to reflect the reunification of Germany, this is not Angus Baxter's best book. His "In Search of Your British & Irish Roots" and "In Search of Your Canadian Roots" are much more comprehensive in their scope. Because this book compares poorly with his other works, I have given it only two stars.

17 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The place to start for German genealogy, June 16, 2000

By 

"lwampach" - See all my reviews

This review is from: In Search of Your German Roots A Complete Guide to Tracing Your Ancestors in (Paperback)

This is a great place to start for German genealogy. Mr. Baxter gives a brief history of Germany (including the Soviet breakup) and locations of record repositories. As in all of his other book, he tells you how to start your research (talk to Grandma before it's too late!), an overview of the LDS organization and tips and guides to doing research in Germany. He also gives you information on the languages of the area and what types of records you might expect to find. Do not despair of finding people in Germany-Mr. Baxter can help. You'll never regret buying this book.