Rostock, Germany, Parish Register Transcripts, 1580-1945

Rostock, Deutschland, Kirchenbuchabschriften, 1580-1945

Source Information

Ancestry.com. Rostock, Germany, Parish Register Transcripts, 1580-1945 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2015.
Original data: Kirchenbuchabschriften, 1580-1945. Stadtarchiv Rostock.

About Rostock, Germany, Parish Register Transcripts, 1580-1945

About the Rostock Germany, Parish Register Transcripts, 1580-1945

General collection information

This collection contains parish registers from Lutheran parishes in Rostock, Germany and from the nearby community of Rövershagen between 1580 and 1945. Records included in this collection cover many types of church events, including baptisms, confirmations, marriages, and burials. All records are in German. Older records in the collection were handwritten by pastors, but newer documents were handwritten in pre-printed ledgers. Transcribed records may be typed.

Using this collection

Records in this collection were initially non-standardized and cover a range of religious events. Information will vary, but may include the following details:

  • Name
  • Event type
  • Marital status at event
  • Age at event
  • Occupation
  • Residence
  • Birth date and place
  • Baptism date and place
  • Confirmation date and place
  • Marriage date and place
  • Death date and place
  • Cause of death
  • Burial date and place
  • Name of cemetery
  • Names of family members, including spouses

    • Because there are many different types of records in this collection, you may find multiple records for your ancestor. For example, you could find baptismal, confirmation, and marriage records – all for the same person. You may also find your ancestor mentioned in records concerning their spouse or parents.

    Most baptisms occur shortly after birth. However, some parishioners may have been baptized as adults if they converted religions.

    Beginning in 1940, many records of death and burial included information about World War II, including notes on casualties of war and military rank.

    Knowing some common German phrases will help you to explore these records:

  • Getauft is German for "baptized."
  • Geburt is German for "birth."
  • Ehe is German for "marriage."
  • Tod is German for "death."
  • Tochter von is German for "daughter of."
  • Sohn von is German for "son of."
  • Mutter is German for "mother."
  • Vater is German for "father."
  • Ehefrau is German for "wife."
  • Ehemann is German for "husband."
  • Familien u. Borname is German for "family and birth name."
  • Geb. am is German for "born on."
  • Alter is German for "age."
  • Wohnt is German for "resides."
  • Taufen is German for "to baptize."
  • Beerdigung is German for "burial."
  • Traúung is German for "wedding."

    • Collection in context

    Lutheranism was founded when Martin Luther, a German monk and professor of theology, became disillusioned with the practices of the Catholic Church. In 1517, he challenged the authority of the Pope and the Catholic Church. Luther's native Germany was quick to accept his beliefs. While most parishes in this collection were initially Catholic, they converted to Evangelical Lutheranism in 1531, just 14 years after Luther began his teachings. Shortly afterward, in 1540, Lutheran pastors began keeping records about the major events that occurred in the lives of their parishioners. Transcription of the records in this collection began in 1876 and continued through 1945.

    Bibliography

    Crume, Rick. "A Genealogist's Guide to German Church Records." FamilyTree Magazine. Accessed June 14, 2023. https://familytreemagazine.com/heritage/german/german-church-records-guide/.

    Fairchild, Mary. "Lutheran Church History." Last Modified March 12, 2018. https://www.learnreligions.com/lutheran-church-history-700827.

    Powell, Kimberly. "Records of Births, Marriages and Deaths in Germany." ThoughtCo. Last Modified March 3, 2019. https://www.thoughtco.com/germany-vital-records-1422812.

    Spotting History. "St. Mary's Church, Rostock, Germany." Last Modified January 1, 2019. https://www.spottinghistory.com/view/4521/st-marys-church/.