Researching family history in the Pomeranian Protestant Church Nowadays many people are interested in researching their family history. That is quite understandable, because in these fast-moving times we often get the feeling that we have lost our roots. The dates of the births and baptisms, marriages and deaths of our forefathers have often been written down over centuries in parish registers, and as a result the churches receive many enquiries about family history. The parish officers take great care over giving correct answers to this sort of enquiry, but we do ask that you try to understand our position:
Firstly, the search is often very complicated, and some of the old documents are difficult to read. Secondly, our clergy mostly do not have anyone to help them and have to handle the enquiry themselves. It is difficult for a pastor to find the time for this time-consuming work alongside his or her many other tasks. This can mean that it can take many weeks for the enquiry to be dealt with.
With regard to the costs: each parish sets its own fees in accordance with the guidelines laid down by the church authorities, and the amount that you are asked to pay will be calculated from these. The individual parishes can give you more information on this.
If you know the address of the parish / pastor responsible, write directly to them.
You may also send enquiries to the Pomeranian Church Archives Department at the following address:
Landeskirchliches Archiv
Rudolf-Petershagen-Allee 3
17489 Greifswald
Germany
Telephone number
from abroad: +49 3834 5725 33
within Germany: (03834) 5725 33
Fax number
from abroad: +49 3834 5725 36
within Germany: (03834) 5725 36
e-mail:
archiv@pek.deWe may send your enquiry on to someone else.
You can find further informations on the homepage of the
"Landeskirchliches Archiv":
http://www.pommersches-kirchenarchiv.de/ Enquiries about the former German regions in the East
Please send all enquiries about these to the Church Archives Department in Greifswald or to the Central Protestant Church Archives in Berlin:
Evangelisches Zentralarchiv
Bethaniendamm 29
10997 Berlin
Germany
Telephone number
from abroad: +49 30 22 50 45 - 0
within Germany: (030) 22 50 45 -0
Fax:
from abroad: +49 30 22 50 45 - 40
within Germany: (030) 22 50 45 -40
e-mail:
archiv@ezab.deInternet:
www.ezab.de Two more tips:
The more precise your enquiry, the easier the search.
If you want to look up the parish registers yourself in order to find out your family history, please telephone to make an appointment beforehand. By doing this you will save yourself the disappointment of turning up unannounced and finding that right now nobody has time to help you.
created by Tilman Reinecke
e-mail:
T.Reinecke@t-online.deupdated: 09.03.2001
