Germany, Hessen-Nassau, Diocese of Limburg, Catholic Church Records - FamilySearch Historical Records
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Germany | |
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Flag of the German Empire, 1871-1917 | |
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Map of the German Empire, 1871-1917 | |
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Record Description | |
Record Type | Church Records |
Collection years: | 1601-1919 |
Languages: | German |
Title in the Language: | Deutschland, Limburg, Katholische Kirchenbücher, 1601-1919 |
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Contents
Why Should I Look at This Collection?[edit | edit source]
Church records (parish registers, church books) are the main source of genealogical information in Germany before civil registration began in 1876. They record details of baptisms, marriages, confirmations, deaths and burials. Generally, the majority of the population can be found in the records. Additionally, these records can contain financial account books which may detail expenses incurred in performing marriages, funeral masses, etc., Lists of persons receiving communion, penance registers, lists of church members and registers naming members of each family.
It is important to know the religious affiliation of your ancestors as Catholic and Protestant parishes kept separate records. Catholic registers, especially the earliest volumes, are generally written in Latin. In many regions, it was also common for the local church records to function in the role of civil registrar.
What is in This Collection?[edit | edit source]
Catholic church records from Bistum (Bishopric or Diocese) Limburg, Germany including baptisms, marriages, and burials. The Roman Catholic Diocese of Limburg was organized in 1827 from the Dioceses of Trier and Mainz.
The diocese includes land formerly included in the Duchy of Nassau, the city of Frankfurt am Main, the County of Hesse-Homburg, and the area around Biedenkopf, in Hesse.
Image Visibility[edit | edit source]
Whenever possible FamilySearch makes images and indexes available for all users. However, rights to view these data are limited by contract and subject to change. Because of this there may be limitations on where and how images and indexes are available or who can see them. Please be aware some collections consist only of partial information indexed from the records and do not contain any images.
For additional information about image restrictions see Restrictions for Viewing Images in FamilySearch Historical Record Collections.
Reading These Records[edit | edit source]
These records are written in Latin and German. For help reading them see:
FamilySearch Learning Center videos:
What Can These Records Tell Me?[edit | edit source]
The following information may be found in these records:
Baptism
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Marriage
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Death
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Collection Content[edit | edit source]
For more information about these records see Germany, Church Records - FamilySearch Historical Records.
Coverage Map[edit | edit source]
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Inventory[edit | edit source]
For a list of all the titles included in this Historical Records publication see Germany, Hessen-Nassau, Diocese of Limburg, Catholic Church Records - Inventory.
How Do I Search This Collection?[edit | edit source]
Search the Index[edit | edit source]
Search by name on the Collection Details Page.- Fill in the search boxes in the Search Collection section with the information you know
- Click Search to show possible matches
How Do I Analyze the Results?[edit | edit source]
Compare each result from your search with what you know to determine if there is a match. This may require viewing multiple records or images. Keep track of your research in a research log.
What Do I Do Next?[edit | edit source]
I Found the Person I Was Looking for, What Now?[edit | edit source]
- Add any new information to your records
- Cite the record. See below for help citing records in this collection.
- Continue to search the index to identify children, siblings, parents, and other relatives. Note that family members often appear on an individual's vital records, such as a person's role of witnesses to a marriage.
I Can't Find the Person I'm Looking for, What Now?[edit | edit source]
- When looking for a person with a common name, look at all the entries for the name before deciding which individual is correct. Use other information, such as place of birth, age, occupation, or names of parents, to determine which candidate is the correct person. If listed, a personal title may be a clue to property ownership or occupation, either of which might be noted in other records
- Try variations of given names and surnames. An individual might have been listed under a middle name, or abbreviation of their given name
- Vary the search terms. For example, expand the date range or search by either the given name or surname to return broader list of results
Research Helps[edit | edit source]
The following articles will help you in your research for your family in Germany.
Citing This Collection[edit | edit source]
Citations help you keep track of places you have searched and sources you have found. Identifying your sources helps others find the records you used.
Collection Citation: The citation for this collection can be found on the Collection Details Page in the section Citing this Collection. |
Record Citation: When looking at a record, the citation can be viewed by clicking the drop-down arrow next to Document Information. |