I was recently in my hometown of St. Louis, and was so excited to check out the brand new St. Louis County Library. They just opened the completely-new building a few months ago, and I’d heard it’s amazing. And wow, it certainly was! Their genealogy collection is immense – and the best part? You don’t even need to be anywhere near St. Louis to take advantage of all the German books they have to offer. The librarians kindly allow you to request a look-up for the books pertaining to your German ancestors. Read on to see what books can help you!
1. German Immigrants in American Church Records, by Roger Minert
The St. Louis County Library has the complete collection of the famous GIACR series. In our recent article Finding that Hometown: German Immigrants in American Church Records, you’ll learn how these books of transcribed church records are THE place to look for finding your family’s German village of origin. And like I said above, if you’re not in St. Louis, you can request a look-up to find your ancestors!
2. Kevan Hansen’s Map Guide to German Parish Registers
Do you know your ancestor’s German hometown, but aren’t sure which parish they belonged to? In this map guide series, learn how to identify the correct German parish based on where your ancestors lived. The library has the collection!
3. Germans to America Series (Passenger Lists)
These books include the arrival lists of German immigrants to the United States. Each book shows a chronological listing of each ship’s passenger lists, with an alphabetical list of the passengers on each ship. The books are divided by year.
4. Ortsfamilienbücher
The St. Louis County Library has one of the largest collections of Ortsfamilienbücher (also known as Ortssippenbücher) in the country – and they will look up your family’s town for you! (Books are divided by village). In our article Ortssippenbücher: Important Sources for Genealogical Research, you’ll learn all about how these family lineage books can provide details of your ancestors’ family in a particular village – multiple generations back. With information transcribed from church records, these are resources you won’t want to miss. See their books here.
5. The Deutsches Geschlechterbuch
The Deutsches Geschlechterbuch includes the compiled genealogies of bürgerlich (non-noble, but with citizenship) German families. The library has about 200 volumes, all waiting for you to come browse!
6. Marxkors Emigration Index
This index, published by Dr. Heinz Marxkors, lists names of emigrants from specific districts in the former kingdoms of Westphalia and Hanover (the present-day states of North Rhine-Westphalia and Lower Saxony). You can access this index online by clicking on the alphabetical list.
7. Archion Access
Want to look at church records on the Protestant church-record database Archion, but not buy a subscription pass? If you are in or near St. Louis (or likely many other FamilySearch affiliate libraries), you can go to the library and use their Archion subscription! This is the church record site to use if you had Protestant ancestors in Germany!
There are also many other German genealogy resources available at the library, and even more if you are researching in St. Louis and the Midwest (think newspapers, immigrant indexes, etc.). But even if you are not in St. Louis, there are so many resources available. And if the librarians will look up information for you, what’s stopping you from giving it a try? Be sure to submit a look-up request and take advantage of this amazing collection!
Find more information on the St. Louis County Library German Genealogy Collection here.