Rinteln, Germany, Marriages, 1874-1923

About this collection

This collection contains marriage records from Rinteln covering the years 1874 up to and including 1923. Rinteln is a community in the district of Schaumburg in the German state of Lower Saxony. It is located on the Weser River about 15 miles northwest of Hamelin and borders the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia to the west. Rinteln was chartered in 1239. The historic bridge over the Weser River at Rinteln helped the city develop into an important trade center. The city skyline is characterized by numerous historic half-timber houses and buildings done in the Weser Renaissance architectural style. During the time period of this collection, Rinteln belonged to the Prussian Province of Hesse-Nassau. In addition to Rinteln, the collection includes records from the communities of Deckbergen, Exten, Goldbeck, Hohenrode, Möllenbeck and Steinbergen. However, the records for most end before 1923. Records from Steinbergen start in the year 1888.

Beginning on October 1, 1874, local registry offices were made responsible for creating birth, marriage and death records in the former Prussian provinces. The collected records are arranged chronologically and usually in bound yearbook form which are collectively referred to as "civil registers." For most of the communities included in the collection, corresponding alphabetical directories of names were also created. While churches continued to keep traditional records, the State also mandated that the personal or marital status of the entire population be recorded.

What you can find in the records

Marriage records were created using preprinted forms that were filled in by hand by the registrar. Depending on the individual form or on the formulations used by the registrar, you may find:

• Sequential or Certificate Number
• Marriage Date
• Groom: Occupation, Last name, Given names, Denomination, Age or Birthdate and Birthplace, Residence as well as details about his Parents and their Place of Residence
• Bride: Occupation, Last name, Given names, Maiden Name, Denomination, Age or Birthdate and Birthplace, Residence as well as details about her Parents and their Place of Residence
• Witnesses
• Signatures

More about using this collection

Each document has a front and back. These are displayed one ofter the other. Additional events from the life of the couple were sometimes recorded later on in the margins. These notes can contain very useful information but they have not been indexed. As a result, information from the notes will not found via the search form. Under "Browse this collection,” select the Civil Registration Office and Year Range of the register desired. If a name directory was created, it will be found at the end of each individual volume.