Ancestry Research in Pomerania
For those tracing their roots to Pomerania, unraveling the past is an endeavor filled with both challenges and rewards. The region’s complex history offers numerous resources to help uncover familial connections:
Church Records: The church registers of Pomerania, with intricate details of baptisms, marriages, and burials, provide a wealth of information. These records, often preserved for centuries, are a cornerstone for genealogical research.
Civil Registration Documents: Although many civil registration records were lost during World War II, surviving documents from certain districts can still be accessed.
Explore digitized collections through archives such as the State Archive in Olsztyn, Poland, and other dedicated genealogical platforms.
Online Databases: Modern technology has made it easier to research Pomerania’s ancestry.
Resources like FamilySearch, Archion, and Ancestry.com host extensive digitized records.
Historical Archives and Societies: The Verein für Familienforschung in Ost- und Westpreußen e.V. (Society for Family Research in East and West Prussia) is a vital resource for ancestry research. They maintain access to documents, maps, and family histories tied to the region. Collaborations with Polish and Russian archives provide additional avenues for research.
Mapping Ancestry: Due to the changing borders of Pomerania, pinpointing ancestral locations can be tricky. Historical maps and gazetteers, such as the Gemeindelexikon für das Königreich Preußen, are essential for identifying towns and understanding their historical jurisdiction.
Kartenmeister is particularly useful for translating German town names into their modern equivalents in Poland, Lithuania, or Russia. Learn how to use Kartenmeister with this instruction guide
or explore its features on Sassy Jane Genealogy.
Town and Village Records: Chronicles from Pomerania’s towns and villages hold valuable details on land ownership, tax rolls, and migration patterns, offering insights into daily life and social structures.
Explore resources like FamilySearch Gazetteers, Wikipedia, and FamilySearch Research Websites.
The Arbeitsgemeinschaft ostdeutscher Familienforscher (AGoFF) is a genealogical association focused on tracing ancestry in former German settlement areas in Central, Eastern, and Southeastern Europe. They offer resources like databases, publications, and archives to support family history research.
Visit their official website for details. Additionally, their history and activities are detailed on Wikipedia. Both sites are currently only available in English.
Hire a Professional Genealogist
When embarking on the journey of uncovering your family’s history, professional genealogists can be an invaluable resource. They possess specialized skills in navigating complex records and tracing elusive ancestors.
Town Family Books of Pomerania Ortssippenbücher or Ortsfamilienbücher, known as town family books, are invaluable resources for tracing family lineages in Pomerania.
These meticulously compiled records capture vital information such as births, marriages, and deaths, all tied to specific towns and villages within the region. They offer profound insights into Pomerania’s history and ancestry, serving as essential tools for genealogical exploration.
You can explore their significance and availability on FamilySearch
and learn more about their use in tracing family histories on the St. Louis County Library website.
For a comprehensive database of online Ortsfamilienbücher, visit Online-OFBs, which provides access to heritage books and genealogical records from various regions.
Search below to find your town family books of Pomerania.
OFB index 