Genealogy Resources (Tutorial)

This simple tutorial is prepared to assist you in performing research in the former German Reichsländer of Elsaß-Lothringen, today’s French regions of Alsace-Moselle. Research in these areas can be quite challenging.

Many researchers are challenged by the following list of obstacles, including:

Language

• Records are likely to appear in German, French, Latin (as well as others).
• Resource Websites are almost certain to appear in French, German and English. They may or may not be readily setup up for your favorite language. Prepare to have your browser or other tools handy for translation.
• German Dialects in Alsace-Lorraine some of which may be quite esoteric to both native and non-native German speakers.

Regional history and place names

• Alsace-Lorraine: Translating German and French Names and Place Names
• German Place Names in Alsace
• German Lorraine 
• Lists of communes can help you locate an ancestral village:
  • The communes of Moselle
  • The communes of Haut-Rhin
  • The communes of Bas-Rhin

Background (History)

• Alsace–Lorraine, now called Alsace–Moselle (Wikipedia)
• Reichsland Elsaß-Lothringen 1871-1919
• Territorial changes in Germany and areas under German Administration

Genealogy

Be advised these sites may or may not be available in English. Major US based or European based Genealogy sites are NOT included here.

• GenWiki- Elsaß
• GenWiki- Lothringen
• Bas-Rhin archives: civil and parish registers
• Archives of Bas-Rhin: population censuses
• Archives of the Eurometropolis (Strasbourg)
• Archives of Haut-Rhin
• Archives of the Territoire-de-Belfort
• Archives of Meurthe-et-Moselle
• Archives of the Meuse
• Moselle Archives
• Archives of the Vosges
• Baden-Württemberg Archive
• Parish Archives of the Canton of Bern
• France Overseas National Archives

Global Maps

• World History Maps
• Historical Maps from Around the World (Google Maps)

Europe Maps

• Atlas of European History
• Arcanum (Mapire- European Maps Old to New)

French Maps

• Old Maps Online (France)
• Perry-Castañeda Library Map Collection France Maps
• Old Maps Online (Alsace)
• EdMaps (France)
• How to find old maps of France online

Related ManyRoads Materials

• France (Links)
• French America- Acadian (Links)
• German Speaking Peoples (Link Library)
• Immigration- Migration (Links)
• Maps (Cartography)
• Mennonites – Amish
• Prussian/ German Genealogy
• Researching New France
• Switzerland (Links)

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