Researching Your German Ancestors
Presenter: Roger P. Minert
A Genealogist’s Outline of German History since 1517 This presentation examines the major events of German history from the time of Martin Luther to the early 20th century. The relationship between historical events and developments and the emigration of our ancestors from Germany is the focus of the presentation.
Form and Content in German Church Records This presentation includes a short history of the keeping of church records in the German-language countries in Europe, as well as in specific German provinces since 1490. Church and state regulations regarding the keeping of church records are discussed. A case study is demonstrated based on a typical parish in Württemberg with records from 1562 to 1876.
Introduction to German Phonetics as it Applies to the Spelling of Personal Names Most researchers in German-language family history identify numerous variant spellings of personal names over time and in different locations. Despite the variations, basic rules of Germanic phonetics are at work here. This presentation will offer linguistic explanations for specific spelling changes. With emphasis on problem-solving throughout, the presenter uses names supplied by the audience to illustrate the application of phonetic rules to the spelling of personal names in Germany and among German immigrants in North America.
German Social Status and Life Style, 1500-1800 As a result of the well-developed and rather inflexible feudal system in Germanic territories in Europe, our ancestors were quite stable in their social and economic status. This presentation describes the structure of social classes, with an emphasis on correctly placing our ancestors on that social scale continuum, to aid our family history research. The presenter also discusses the common activities of families on the farm and in the trades, based on his research in hard-to-find literature available only to the German audience.
Roger P. Minert, Ph.D., A.G. Born in Nebraska, Professor Minert has also lived in Utah, California, and Ohio, and has spent three years in Germany and one year in Austria. He earned a B.A. in German at Brigham Young University, an M.A. in German literature, and a Ph.D. in German language history and second language acquisition at the Ohio State University. The author of more than seventy books and articles on German family history research and German pedagogy, he was a private contractor in family history for twelve years. He currently teaches family history research at BYU in Provo, Utah.
