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Research Challenge

Introduction

My New Year's resolution for 2025 is ambitious but exciting: I plan to find the marriage record of my 5x great-grandparents, likely dating between 1761 and 1764. My 4x great-grandfather's baptismal record only provides his father's surname and his profession but neither his first name nor the mother's name. The challenge? I don’t know the exact location yet. To narrow it down, I’ll need to dive deep into regional history and meticulously review church records in a large area as I suspect they did not originate from the place their first child was born. It’s going to be a labor of love, but I can’t wait to uncover more about their story!

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So today, I started a new research journey. And I thought it would be a great opportunity to teach others how to conduct genealogical research in Germany. It’s a tricky case, and we might not solve it—but we’ll learn a lot along the way! Let’s work through this together step by step. The goal is to learn and explore the process! You might still find this fun or know someone who would love to learn through this process. Feel free to join in or share with others who might enjoy this hands-on approach! 

 

Watch our introductional video on our YouTube Channel! 

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Check our Facebook or Bluesky (@uckrause.bsky.social) account if you want to participate in the discussions! Also subscribe to our YouTube channel for more information! 

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Step 1 (8 January 2025) 

Let's start moving towards my research goal. Watch our video on our YouTube Channel!

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Review the information I already have. Start with my 4th great-grandfather's baptismal record from Kirch Lütgendorf in Mecklenburg-Schwerin. 

It reads:

"24 May [1764] the son of Herr Stangen, Holländer [tenant of a dairy business on a big estate] at the Sophienhof, Johann Friederich.

Godparents: 1) Herr Francke, tenant in Hageno, 2) Herr Bölte, a Notarig(?), 3) the wife of the Holländer in Grabow."

[Source: Lutheran Church Kirch Lütgendorf (Mecklenburg-Schwerin), Taufen [Baptisms] 1753-1771, Johann Friederich Stange, baptized 24 May 1764; Landeskirchliches Archiv der Evangelisch-Lutherischen Kirche in Norddeutschland, Kirchenkreis Mecklenburg, Archion (www.archion.de);©archion]

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While we don't know the father's first name, we do get some important piece of information on him. Which word is it? And why is it so important? 

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And this is the answer to my question: Every word in a church record entry is important, which is why everything should always be transcribed and translated. The word "Herr" indicates that he likely belonged to the rural middle class. The place ("Sophienhof") is also mentioned, so we not only know the location but also that it is likely an agricultural estate, typical for Mecklenburg. However, the word I was looking for is "Holländer," which is not only his occupation but also his status. He is referred to as "der Holländer Stange(n)." This is important to know because this is how he is recorded in the documents, making him easier to identify. Additionally, we know that the "Holländer" often moved frequently; their contracts typically lasted one year, after which they might already move on. And, very importantly, in transcriptions, this designation is often treated as a first name, so it’s essential to search for him that way as well.

 

​For more information check our video on our YouTube Channel.

 

​Step 2 (15 January 2025)

​I am not giving up that easily! There must be a record that lists my 5x great-grandfather's name. But which record might that be? Help!

For more information check our video on our YouTube Channel.

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Answer: Yes, you all were correct, I should be looking for my 4 x great-grandfather's marriage record if I want to find my 5x great-grandfather's first name.  He was married on 4 May 1794 in Bälow (then spelled Belo) in Brandenburg, Prussia. And this is the information it gives: “The eldest son of the local dairy leaseholder Christian Stangen, who moved in from Mecklenburg.”

Source: Ev. Church Bälow (Westprignitz, Potsdam, Brandenburg, Prussia), Gesamtkirchenbuch [Mixed Records] 1769-1825, no. 3/1794, marriage Friedrich Stange and Marie Höger 4 May 1794; digital image, Archion (www.archion.de), Landeskirchliches Archiv der Evangelisch-Kirche Berlin-Brandenburg-schlesische Oberlausitz, Kirchenkreis Havelberg-Wilsnack, accessed January 2025.

 

Step 3 (22 January 2025)

We know much more about Christian Stange than his name - we also know he was still alive on 4 May 1794 and that he lived in Brandenburg. ​Considering his son Johann Friederich was almost 30 years old at his time of marriage, Christian might have already been elderly already. What record would you look for next and where? 

Check our video on our YouTube channel!

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Hochzeitsbild Justus Hildegard Stange Kopie.JPG

"When I asked Ursula Krause to do research for me into my German grandparents, I expected birth, marriage and death records for both my grandfather's and grandmother's sides of the family. What I got was those and more. Photos of the village and the church where my family worshipped. The unit history of my grandfather's World War I service. Leads to possible living cousins. And a candid cost-conscious appraisal of where research should be focused for the most benefit. In short, I got a thoroughly professional job from a thorough professional I wouldn't hesitate to recommend."

Judy G. Russell

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