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Town Family Books (OFB) of West Prussia

West Prussia, a historical province of the Kingdom of Prussia, existed from 1773 to 1920. Located in Central Europe along the Vistula River, its administrative center was Danzig (now Gdańsk, Poland). The region had a diverse cultural heritage, influenced by German, Polish, Kashubian, and Baltic traditions. Learn more.

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This page features links derived from the Familienbuch Eichsfeld website (www.familienbuch-eichsfeld.de) and the Online Familienbücher (OFB) website (https://ofb.genealogy.net/). To make these links more navigable and user-friendly, I have taken the liberty of reorganizing and categorizing them. For updated details and additional resources, please visit the original website directly.

Cities, Towns, Villages, HamletsHistorical administrative hierarchy DescriptionsOFB Links and Additional Resources
Alt Lobitz
(Polish: Lowicz Walecki)		Alt Lobitz,
Deutsch Krone,
Marienwerder,
Westpreussen,
Preussen1
Alt Lobitz, now Łowicz Wałecki, is a village in northwestern Poland, located in West Pomeranian Voivodeship. Historically, it was part of Deutsch Krone County, with influences from both Pomerania and West Prussia. The village was divided until unification in 1878. Today, it remains a small but historically rich settlement.2Local heritage book of Alt Lobitz (Kreis Deutsch Krone)
BischdorfBischdorf,
Rosenberg,
Marienwerder,
Westpreussen,
Preussen3
Bischdorf, historically part of Kreis Rosenberg in West Prussia, was a rural settlement within the Regierungsbezirk Marienwerder. Before 1945, it was administratively connected to Groß Ludwigsdorf, and in 1928, both villages were merged into the newly formed Gemeinde Ludwigsdorf. The region was shaped by Prussian governance, with Bischdorf serving as an agricultural community. Following World War II, the district was dissolved, and its territory was integrated into Poland, leading to the displacement of its German population. Today, its historical legacy remains in archival records and remnants of its Prussian heritage.4Local heritage book of Freystadt (West Prussia)
Elbing-Ellerwald (Mennonite community)Elbing,
Danzig,
Westpreussen,
Preussen
Elbing-Ellerwald, a historic Mennonite community in former West Prussia (now Poland), was located near Elbing (Elbląg). Established in the 16th century, its settlers transformed marshland into fertile farmland, becoming renowned for their agricultural expertise. Following the First Partition of Poland in 1772, the area was incorporated into Prussia, further shaping its development. The Elbing-Ellerwald Mennonite Church meticulously recorded births, marriages, and deaths from the late 18th to 19th centuries, making these records invaluable for historical and genealogical research. For further exploration, visit: GAMEO.Marriages: 1801-1807 Found in the Diary of Ältester Peter Dyck of Elbing-Ellerwald, West Prussia, translated by Glenn H. Penner5

Finkenstein
(Polish: Kamieniec)		Finckenstein,
Rosenberg,
Marienwerder,
Westpreussen,
Preussen6
Finkenstein, historically located in West Prussia, is now part of modern-day Poland and known as Kamieniec. It was home to the Finckenstein Palace (Polish: Pałac w Kamieńcu), a Baroque-style estate built between 1716 and 1720 by architect John von Collas for Prussian Field Marshal Count Albrecht Konrad Finck von Finckenstein. The palace gained fame when Napoleon resided there in 1807 and signed the Treaty of Finckenstein with Persia.
The area also holds significance for Mennonite history, with church records documenting births, marriages, and deaths from the 18th and 19th centuries.7 8		Mennonite Births, Marriages, and Deaths Found in the Lutheran Church Records of Finkenstein, West Prussia: 1800 – 1825, by Glenn H Penner9
Freystadt
(Polish: Kisielice)		Freystadt,
Rosenberg,
Marienwerder,
Westpreussen,
Preussen10
Freystadt, now known as Kisielice, is a town in the Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship, Poland, located near Iława. It was founded in the 13th century in the Old Prussian region, originally settled by the Pomesanians before being conquered by the Teutonic Knights. The town was first mentioned as Vrienstadt in 1255, and in 1331, it was granted municipal rights, becoming a well-developed settlement with a parish church.
Throughout its history, Freystadt was influenced by Polish, Prussian, and German rule. In 1454, it was incorporated into the Kingdom of Poland but later became part of the Duchy of Prussia in 1525. Following the First Partition of Poland in 1772, it was annexed by Prussia and remained under German control until 1945, when it was transferred to Poland after World War II. 11		Local heritage book of Freystadt (West Prussia)
Fuerstenau
(Polish: Kmiecin)		Fürstenau, historically located in West Prussia, is now known as Kmiecin in modern-day Poland. It lies near Nowy Dwór Gdański (formerly Tiegenhof) and Elbląg (formerly Elbing). Founded in 1332, it was part of Royal Prussia until 1772, when it became part of West Prussia following the First Partition of Poland.
The village had a Mennonite community, with families recorded in the 1776 Prussian census. Mennonites in Fürstenau were members of the Rosenort and Orlofferfelde Mennonite Churches.12		Mennonite Marriages (1800–1830) in the Evangelical Church Records of Fürstenau, West Prussia, by Adalbert Goertz13
GuhringenGuhringen,
Rosenberg,
Marienwerder,
Westpreussen,
Preussen14
Guhringen, once a village in Kreis Rosenberg, West Prussia, was part of the Marienwerder district under German administration until 1945. Historically a rural settlement, it was shaped by Prussian governance and regional agricultural development. Following World War II, Guhringen was transferred to Poland, leading to the displacement of its German population. Today, its exact location corresponds to a small area in the Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship.15Local heritage book of Freystadt (West Prussia)
Gurske
(Polish: Górsk)		Gurske,
Marienwerder,
Westpreussen,
Preussen16
Gurske, now Górsk, is a village in Kujawsko-Pomorskie Voivodeship, Poland, near Toruń. It has medieval origins and was historically linked to the Teutonic Order. The village was granted to Toruń in 1457 and later became part of West Prussia. Today, it remains a small settlement with historical significance.Local heritage book of Gurske
Jungfer
(Polish: Jeziernik)		Jungfer,
Danzig,
Westpreussen,
Preussen17
Jungfer, historically located in West Prussia, is now known as Jeziernik in modern-day Poland. It was part of the Danzig administrative region and situated near Elbląg (formerly Elbing) and Nowy Dwór Gdański (formerly Tiegenhof). After the First Partition of Poland in 1772, it became part of West Prussia.
The village had a Mennonite presence, with members associated with the Jungfer Lutheran Church.		Mennonite Marriages in the Jungfer Lutheran Church Register: 1801-1820, transcribed by Adalbert Goertz and Glenn Penner.Adobe Acrobat version18
Katznase
(Polish: Kaczynos)		Katznase, now Kaczynos, is a village in modern-day Poland, near Malbork and Elbląg. Once part of Royal Prussia, it became West Prussia after 1772. The village had a small Mennonite community, recorded in the 1776 Prussian census, as members of the Elbing-Ellerwald Mennonite Church. Its historical church records, including births, marriages, and deaths, are valuable for genealogy.19Mennonite Births, Marriages and Deaths Found in the Lutheran Church Records of Katznase, West Prussia: 1800 – 1825, by Glenn H Penner20
Ladekopp
(Polish: Lubieszewo)		Ladekopp, historically located in West Prussia, is now known as Lubieszewo in modern-day Poland. It is situated in the Vistula-Nogat delta, near Nowy Dwór Gdański (formerly Tiegenhof), Malbork (formerly Marienburg), and Elbląg (formerly Elbing). Established in 1255, it was granted the Chełmno charter by the Teutonic Knights in the early 14th century. Ladekopp became part of West Prussia in 1772 after the First Partition of Poland.
The village had a significant Mennonite community, with families recorded in the 1776 Prussian census. Mennonites in Ladekopp were members of the Ladekopp Mennonite Church, established in 1735. 21 22		Ladekopp Mennonite Church Record Book: Image Files. MLA, North Newton, KS23

Mennonite Baptisms in Ladekopp 1782-1804, compiled by Adalbert Goertz.24

Mennonite Baptisms in Ladekopp 1809-1813, transcribed by Glenn Penner.25

Ladekopp-Orlofferfeld Mennonite Church, West Prussia Membership List, 1880, compiled by Adalbert Goertz.26

Ladekopp-Orlofferfelde in West Prussia – Membership List 1935, by Adalbert Goertz.27
Marienau
(Polish: Marynowy)		Marienau, historically located in West Prussia, is now known as Marynowy in modern-day Poland. It is situated near Nowy Dwór Gdański (formerly Tiegenhof), Malbork (formerly Marienburg), and Elbląg (formerly Elbing). Founded in 1321 by Werner von Orseln, Grand Master of the Teutonic Knights, it was established under the Chełmno charter (Kulm Law). Marienau became part of West Prussia in 1772 after the First Partition of Poland.
The village had a notable Mennonite community, with 23 families recorded in the 1776 Prussian census. Flemish Mennonites in Marienau were members of the Rosenort Mennonite Church, while Frisian Mennonites were part of the Orlofferfelde Mennonite Church. 28		Mennonite Deaths in the Marienau Catholic Church Records: 1778 – 1780, compiled by Glenn Penner.29

Mennonites in the Marriage Records of the Lutheran Church of Marienau, Prussia (1800 – 1821), compiled by Glenn Penner.30
Mausdorf, Groß
(Polish: Myszewo)		Gross Mausdorf, now Myszewo in Poland, was historically part of West Prussia after 1772. It had a notable Mennonite presence and was linked to the Rosenort Mennonite Church. The village’s church records, including births, marriages, and deaths, are valuable for genealogical research.31Mennonite Marriages from the Lutheran Church records of Gross Mausdorf, West Prussia, 1728, compiled by Glenn H. Penner32

Mennonite Deaths (1753–1756, 1773, and 1774) in the Evangelical Church Records of Gross Mausdorf, West Prussia, compiled by Glenn Penner33

Mennonite Marriages (1801–1830) in the Evangelical Church Records of Gross Mausdorf, West Prussia, compiled by Adalbert Goertz34

Mennonite Births (1800–1808) in the Evangelical Church Records of Gross Mausdorf (District of Elbing), West Prussia, compiled by Glenn Penner35

Mennonite Deaths in the Evangelical Lutheran Church Records of Gross Mausdorf, West Prussia, extracted by Glenn H. Penner36
Neuheide (Elbing)Neuheide, historically part of Elbing (now Elbląg, Poland), was a region in West Prussia known for its Mennonite and Lutheran communities. It was established in the 17th century when marshlands were drained and developed. Neuheide became a hub for religious and agricultural activity, with Mennonites contributing significantly to its development.Mennonite Deaths in the Evangelical Church Record Duplicate of Neuheide, District of Elbing: 1830–1833. Original in the State Archives of Danzig (Gdańsk), Signature 10/4265, Compiled by Erich Lohrey37
Sumpf (Kalittken)Kalittken,
Rosenberg,
Marienwerder,
Westpreussen,
Preussen38
Sumpf Kalittken, historically part of Kreis Rosenberg in West Prussia, was originally a rural landgemeinde (municipality) within the Marienwerder Administrative District. In 1874, it was incorporated into the newly formed Amtsbezirk Steenkendorf (Steenkendorf Administrative District), alongside several other communities. Over the following decades, administrative changes led to the formal recognition of Sumpf as a distinct municipality, ultimately being renamed Kalittken in 1928. In 1938, it was further renamed Kalitten, which remained its official name until 1945. Throughout its history, Kalittken was managed under Prussian legal frameworks, including the Landgemeindeordnung (Municipality Regulation) of 1891 and the Deutsche Gemeindeordnung (German Municipality Order) of 1935. After World War II, Kalitten was transferred to Poland, and its German population was displaced.39 40 41
Tiegenort
(Polish: Tujsk)		Tiegenort,
Marienburg,
Danzig,
Westpreussen,
Preussen42
Tiegenort, now Tujsk in Poland, was established in 1349 by the Teutonic Knights. It became part of West Prussia in 1793 and had a small Mennonite community linked to the Tiegenhagen Mennonite Church. Historical church records of births, marriages, and deaths provide valuable genealogical insights.43Mennonite Births in the Lutheran Records of Tiegenort, West Prussia 1759 -1781, originally transcribed by Adalbert Goertz; compiled and edited by Glenn Penner.44
Zeyer
(Polish: Kępki)		Zeyer,
Danzig,
Westpreussen,
Preussen45
Zeyer, now Kępki in modern Poland, was historically part of West Prussia. Situated near Elbing and Tiegenhof, it transitioned from Royal Prussia to West Prussia in 1772 after the First Partition of Poland. The village had a modest Mennonite population, connected to the Rosenort Mennonite Church, and is renowned for its historical church records documenting births, marriages, and deaths.46Mennonite Births in the Evangelical Church Records of Zeyer, extracted by Glenn Penner47

Mennonite Burials in the Evangelical Church Records of Zeyer: 1774–1786, compiled by Glenn Penner
48
Mennonite Deaths in the Evangelical Church Records of Zeyer: 1785–1815, compiled by Glenn Penner49

Mennonite Marriages in the Zeyer Lutheran Church Register: 1801-1824, by Adalbert Goertz and Glenn Penner50

Sources:

  1. https://www.meyersgaz.org/place/10043047 ↩︎
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     ↩︎
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