Source Information
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:
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:
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/.