Record Atlas
88 FamilySearch collections · 37 archives · 670 places · 1385–1998

Germany

Where the records of Germany are, who holds them, and what it costs to look. 157,706,716 indexed records reachable through FamilySearch alone.

Where to start in Germany

3 of the 5 checked sources here can be opened tonight. 3are free images with no account. 1is paid or part-paid. 1is a catalogue card or paper in a building — a letter, not a click. On top of that, 9 worldwide services reach Germany without a subscription.

32 more institutions are listed here and have never been checked — nobody has opened them, written to them, or found out what they hold. They are on the map as grey because that is what they are, and the honest reading of this page is 3 known-open, 32 unknown.

Write to Arolsen Archives, Arolsen Archives, Bundesarchiv for what is not online. FamilySearch has 88 collections covering it, running 1385–1998, 157,706,716 indexed records. 6 pieces of this ground are mapped for jurisdiction, so the atlas can say whose archive held it in a given year.

670 places placed, 11 volumes walked. Open Germany on the map, or tell us what is missing.

Whose archive this ground was

Record regions mapped in Germany — which empire held the ground, and therefore which archive holds its paper.

  • Bohemia 6 eras Prague, Plzeň, České Budějovice, Litoměřice
  • Pomerania and Danzig 7 eras Stettin (Szczecin), Danzig (Gdańsk), Köslin (Koszalin)
  • Alsace and Lorraine 6 eras Strasbourg, Colmar, Metz, Mulhouse
  • Silesia 6 eras Breslau (Wrocław), Kattowitz (Katowice), Opole, Opava
  • The Netherlands 5 eras Holland, Utrecht, Gelderland, Brabant, Limburg, Friesland
  • Denmark 4 eras Jutland, Funen, Zealand, Bornholm, southern Jutland

The archives

  • Archion paid Stuttgart, Germany

    The German Protestant church archives' own portal. Subscription by the month; the only route to many Lutheran registers.

  • Arolsen Archives free Bad Arolsen, Germany

    The former International Tracing Service. Concentration camp, forced labour and displaced-persons records for some seventeen and a half million people, free and fully indexed.

  • Arolsen Archives unsurveyed Bad Arolsen, Germany

    The international centre on Nazi persecution: concentration camp records, forced labour and displaced-person files, searchable online. Worked by the Blažević archive against cards already held on disk. Not yet surveyed.

  • Bundesarchiv catalogue Koblenz, Germany

    The German Federal Archives. Civil and military administration of the Prussian provinces, the wartime records, and the card indexes of the expelled — much of it for ground that is no longer German.

  • Bayerisches Staatsarchiv Nürnberg unsurveyed DE

    Bayerisches Staatsarchiv Nürnberg — a German state or church archive. German civil registration began in 1876 and parish registers before it are largely with the Landeskirchliche Archive, so which of the two holds a record depends on its date. Harvested from Wikidata and its address opened; what is online and what it costs is unchecked.

  • Bibliothek des Sächsischen Staatsarchivs, Standort Bergarchiv Freiberg unsurveyed DE

    Bibliothek des Sächsischen Staatsarchivs, Standort Bergarchiv Freiberg — a German state or church archive. German civil registration began in 1876 and parish registers before it are largely with the Landeskirchliche Archive, so which of the two holds a record depends on its date. Harvested from Wikidata and its address opened; what is online and what it costs is unchecked.

  • Brandenburgisches Landeshauptarchiv unsurveyed DE

    Brandenburgisches Landeshauptarchiv — a German state or church archive. German civil registration began in 1876 and parish registers before it are largely with the Landeskirchliche Archive, so which of the two holds a record depends on its date. Harvested from Wikidata and its address opened; what is online and what it costs is unchecked.

  • Evangelisches Landeskirchliches Archiv in Berlin unsurveyed DE

    Evangelisches Landeskirchliches Archiv in Berlin — a German state or church archive. German civil registration began in 1876 and parish registers before it are largely with the Landeskirchliche Archive, so which of the two holds a record depends on its date. Harvested from Wikidata and its address opened; what is online and what it costs is unchecked.

  • Generallandesarchiv Karlsruhe unsurveyed DE

    Generallandesarchiv Karlsruhe — a German state or church archive. German civil registration began in 1876 and parish registers before it are largely with the Landeskirchliche Archive, so which of the two holds a record depends on its date. Harvested from Wikidata and its address opened; what is online and what it costs is unchecked.

  • Hauptstaatsarchiv Stuttgart unsurveyed DE

    Hauptstaatsarchiv Stuttgart — a German state or church archive. German civil registration began in 1876 and parish registers before it are largely with the Landeskirchliche Archive, so which of the two holds a record depends on its date. Harvested from Wikidata and its address opened; what is online and what it costs is unchecked.

  • Hauptstaatsarchiv Weimar unsurveyed DE

    Hauptstaatsarchiv Weimar — a German state or church archive. German civil registration began in 1876 and parish registers before it are largely with the Landeskirchliche Archive, so which of the two holds a record depends on its date. Harvested from Wikidata and its address opened; what is online and what it costs is unchecked.

  • Hessisches Hauptstaatsarchiv unsurveyed DE

    Hessisches Hauptstaatsarchiv — a German state or church archive. German civil registration began in 1876 and parish registers before it are largely with the Landeskirchliche Archive, so which of the two holds a record depends on its date. Harvested from Wikidata and its address opened; what is online and what it costs is unchecked.

  • Landesamt für Kultur und Denkmalpflege Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Landesarchiv unsurveyed DE

    Landesamt für Kultur und Denkmalpflege Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Landesarchiv — a German state or church archive. German civil registration began in 1876 and parish registers before it are largely with the Landeskirchliche Archive, so which of the two holds a record depends on its date. Harvested from Wikidata and its address opened; what is online and what it costs is unchecked.

  • Landesarchiv Berlin unsurveyed DE

    Landesarchiv Berlin — a German state or church archive. German civil registration began in 1876 and parish registers before it are largely with the Landeskirchliche Archive, so which of the two holds a record depends on its date. Harvested from Wikidata and its address opened; what is online and what it costs is unchecked.

  • Landesarchiv Sachsen-Anhalt, Abteilung Magdeburg, Standort Wernigerode unsurveyed DE

    Landesarchiv Sachsen-Anhalt, Abteilung Magdeburg, Standort Wernigerode — a German state or church archive. German civil registration began in 1876 and parish registers before it are largely with the Landeskirchliche Archive, so which of the two holds a record depends on its date. Harvested from Wikidata and its address opened; what is online and what it costs is unchecked.

  • Landesarchiv Speyer unsurveyed DE

    Landesarchiv Speyer — a German state or church archive. German civil registration began in 1876 and parish registers before it are largely with the Landeskirchliche Archive, so which of the two holds a record depends on its date. Harvested from Wikidata and its address opened; what is online and what it costs is unchecked.

  • Landeshauptarchiv Sachsen-Anhalt, Abteilung Dessau unsurveyed DE

    Landeshauptarchiv Sachsen-Anhalt, Abteilung Dessau — a German state or church archive. German civil registration began in 1876 and parish registers before it are largely with the Landeskirchliche Archive, so which of the two holds a record depends on its date. Harvested from Wikidata and its address opened; what is online and what it costs is unchecked.

  • Landeskirchliches Archiv Braunschweig unsurveyed DE

    Landeskirchliches Archiv Braunschweig — a German state or church archive. German civil registration began in 1876 and parish registers before it are largely with the Landeskirchliche Archive, so which of the two holds a record depends on its date. Harvested from Wikidata and its address opened; what is online and what it costs is unchecked.

  • Landeskirchliches Archiv der Evangelisch-Lutherischen Kirche in Bayern unsurveyed DE

    Landeskirchliches Archiv der Evangelisch-Lutherischen Kirche in Bayern — a German state or church archive. German civil registration began in 1876 and parish registers before it are largely with the Landeskirchliche Archive, so which of the two holds a record depends on its date. Harvested from Wikidata and its address opened; what is online and what it costs is unchecked.

  • Landeskirchliches Archiv, Dresden unsurveyed DE

    Landeskirchliches Archiv, Dresden — a German state or church archive. German civil registration began in 1876 and parish registers before it are largely with the Landeskirchliche Archive, so which of the two holds a record depends on its date. Harvested from Wikidata and its address opened; what is online and what it costs is unchecked.

  • Landeskirchliches Archiv Hannover unsurveyed DE

    Landeskirchliches Archiv Hannover — a German state or church archive. German civil registration began in 1876 and parish registers before it are largely with the Landeskirchliche Archive, so which of the two holds a record depends on its date. Harvested from Wikidata and its address opened; what is online and what it costs is unchecked.

  • Landeskirchliches Archiv Kiel unsurveyed DE

    Landeskirchliches Archiv Kiel — a German state or church archive. German civil registration began in 1876 and parish registers before it are largely with the Landeskirchliche Archive, so which of the two holds a record depends on its date. Harvested from Wikidata and its address opened; what is online and what it costs is unchecked.

  • Niedersächsisches Landesarchiv, Abteilung Bückeburg unsurveyed DE

    Niedersächsisches Landesarchiv, Abteilung Bückeburg — a German state or church archive. German civil registration began in 1876 and parish registers before it are largely with the Landeskirchliche Archive, so which of the two holds a record depends on its date. Harvested from Wikidata and its address opened; what is online and what it costs is unchecked.

  • Niedersächsisches Landesarchiv, Abteilung Hannover unsurveyed DE

    Niedersächsisches Landesarchiv, Abteilung Hannover — a German state or church archive. German civil registration began in 1876 and parish registers before it are largely with the Landeskirchliche Archive, so which of the two holds a record depends on its date. Harvested from Wikidata and its address opened; what is online and what it costs is unchecked.

  • Niedersächsisches Landesarchiv – Abteilung Osnabrück unsurveyed DE

    Niedersächsisches Landesarchiv – Abteilung Osnabrück — a German state or church archive. German civil registration began in 1876 and parish registers before it are largely with the Landeskirchliche Archive, so which of the two holds a record depends on its date. Harvested from Wikidata and its address opened; what is online and what it costs is unchecked.

  • Niedersächsisches Landesarchiv, Abteilung Stade unsurveyed DE

    Niedersächsisches Landesarchiv, Abteilung Stade — a German state or church archive. German civil registration began in 1876 and parish registers before it are largely with the Landeskirchliche Archive, so which of the two holds a record depends on its date. Harvested from Wikidata and its address opened; what is online and what it costs is unchecked.

  • Niedersächsisches Landesarchiv – Abteilung Wolfenbüttel unsurveyed DE

    Niedersächsisches Landesarchiv – Abteilung Wolfenbüttel — a German state or church archive. German civil registration began in 1876 and parish registers before it are largely with the Landeskirchliche Archive, so which of the two holds a record depends on its date. Harvested from Wikidata and its address opened; what is online and what it costs is unchecked.

  • Staatsarchiv Freiburg unsurveyed DE

    Staatsarchiv Freiburg — a German state or church archive. German civil registration began in 1876 and parish registers before it are largely with the Landeskirchliche Archive, so which of the two holds a record depends on its date. Harvested from Wikidata and its address opened; what is online and what it costs is unchecked.

  • Staatsarchiv Ludwigsburg unsurveyed DE

    Staatsarchiv Ludwigsburg — a German state or church archive. German civil registration began in 1876 and parish registers before it are largely with the Landeskirchliche Archive, so which of the two holds a record depends on its date. Harvested from Wikidata and its address opened; what is online and what it costs is unchecked.

  • Staatsarchiv Sigmaringen unsurveyed DE

    Staatsarchiv Sigmaringen — a German state or church archive. German civil registration began in 1876 and parish registers before it are largely with the Landeskirchliche Archive, so which of the two holds a record depends on its date. Harvested from Wikidata and its address opened; what is online and what it costs is unchecked.

  • Staatsarchiv Wertheim unsurveyed DE

    Staatsarchiv Wertheim — a German state or church archive. German civil registration began in 1876 and parish registers before it are largely with the Landeskirchliche Archive, so which of the two holds a record depends on its date. Harvested from Wikidata and its address opened; what is online and what it costs is unchecked.

  • Thüringisches Staatsarchiv Altenburg unsurveyed DE

    Thüringisches Staatsarchiv Altenburg — a German state or church archive. German civil registration began in 1876 and parish registers before it are largely with the Landeskirchliche Archive, so which of the two holds a record depends on its date. Harvested from Wikidata and its address opened; what is online and what it costs is unchecked.

  • Thüringisches Staatsarchiv Gotha unsurveyed DE

    Thüringisches Staatsarchiv Gotha — a German state or church archive. German civil registration began in 1876 and parish registers before it are largely with the Landeskirchliche Archive, so which of the two holds a record depends on its date. Harvested from Wikidata and its address opened; what is online and what it costs is unchecked.

  • Thüringisches Staatsarchiv Meiningen unsurveyed DE

    Thüringisches Staatsarchiv Meiningen — a German state or church archive. German civil registration began in 1876 and parish registers before it are largely with the Landeskirchliche Archive, so which of the two holds a record depends on its date. Harvested from Wikidata and its address opened; what is online and what it costs is unchecked.

  • Matricula Online free Passau, Germany

    Diocesan parish registers photographed and served free, without an account. Austria and much of Germany and Poland; the Italian entries are South Tyrol.

  • Porta fontium free Plzeň, Czechia

    A Bavarian–Czech joint portal. Parish registers of western Bohemia, free.

  • Stadtarchiv Reutlingen unsurveyed Reutlingen, Germany

    The municipal archive of Reutlingen, including its photograph database. Worked by the Defranceski archive. Not yet surveyed.

And 12 worldwide providers reach Germany too — the full list.

88 FamilySearch collections

Grouped by the ground each one covers, province by province, with the nationwide indexes last. A free account opens the images; some are restricted to a Family History Centre.

Baden 2
Prussia 2
Germany — nationwide 84

29 more collections, contributed

A directory David assembled, sorted by what kind of record each one is. Read this differently from the rest of the page. The descriptions are his, not an archive's catalogue, and nobody here has opened the volumes behind them. Every link was tried on 2026-09-20 and answered; the ones that did not are not listed.

Church and parish registers 13
Civil registration and vital records 11
Censuses and population lists 1
Probate, land and notarial 1
Military and wartime 2
Immigration and emigration 13
Cemeteries and burials 1

670 places, 11 volumes

The 250 carrying the most collections are listed; 420 more are in Germany and on the map. Every place lists them all.

Every country · The map