Top 11 Online Sources for German Genealogy Research

Tracing your German roots has never been easier — if you know where to look. Many archives, church registers, and historical documents from Germany have been digitized or indexed in recent years, allowing family historians in the USA and around the world to research their ancestors online. Below you’ll find a carefully selected list of the top eleven online sources for German genealogy research, along with practical notes on what each site offers.

1. FamilySearch.org

The FamilySearch website by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints offers free access to millions of German records, including church books, civil registers, and emigration lists. Its vast database and user-friendly search tools make it the perfect starting point for beginners.

2. Ancestry.com

Ancestry hosts one of the largest collections of German genealogical records online, including passenger lists, military records, and digitized parish books. A subscription is required, but its advanced search options and DNA tools can provide valuable insights and connections.

3. MyHeritage.com

MyHeritage is another major genealogy platform offering extensive German record collections, including birth, marriage, and death registers, census data, and family trees contributed by other users. Its translation tools and DNA matching can be especially helpful for connecting with living relatives worldwide.

4. Archion.de

Archion is the official portal for Protestant church records in Germany. It offers digitized parish registers (baptisms, marriages, burials) from numerous regional church archives. You’ll need a paid account, but the quality and authenticity of these records make it well worth it.

5. Matricula-online.eu

Matricula provides free access to Catholic church registers from various dioceses in Germany, Austria, and neighboring countries. The scans are high quality, and coverage continues to expand as more archives participate.

6. CompGen / Genealogy.net

Germany’s largest volunteer genealogy network, CompGen, offers surname databases, local history projects, and links to regional archives. The “Online Ortsfamilienbücher” (family books) section is especially useful for reconstructing family groups from parish records.

7. Meyers Gazetteer

The Meyers Gazetteer helps you locate historical German towns and their administrative jurisdictions. Since record-keeping in Germany was local, knowing the correct village and parish is often the key to unlocking further research.

8. Deutsche Digitale Bibliothek (German Digital Library)

The Deutsche Digitale Bibliothek aggregates millions of digital records from archives, libraries, and museums across Germany. It’s a great place to explore digitized manuscripts, maps, and regional documents.

9. Bundesarchiv (Federal Archives)

The Bundesarchiv holds military records, emigration files, and documents from the 19th and 20th centuries. Some collections can be searched online, while others require a written request. It’s particularly valuable for research on 20th-century ancestors.

10. Landesarchive (State Archives)

Each German federal state maintains its own archive, many with digital portals. Examples include the Landesarchiv Baden-Württemberg, Archivportal NRW, and Archivportal-D. They provide access to local civil registers, tax lists, and regional documents.

11. Ellis Island and Castle Garden Databases

To trace your ancestor’s arrival in the United States, visit the Ellis Island and Castle Garden passenger list databases. Many German emigrants who left through Hamburg or Bremen are documented here, often including age, hometown, and final U.S. destination.

Ready to Go Deeper?

While these resources are powerful, interpreting old German handwriting, navigating regional archives, or identifying the right ancestral village can be challenging. That’s where professional help can make all the difference.

At My German Origin, I specialize in helping clients from the USA and beyond trace their German-speaking ancestors back to their original hometowns. I use the same databases listed here — and many archival sources that aren’t online — to build detailed family histories.

Request a free feasibility check and take the next step in uncovering your family’s German story.

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