The territory of Germany has varied considerably over the centuries. Until 1871 Germany consisted of numerous independent kingdoms, duchies, principalities and states, whose borders often changed and merged. In 1871 all states except the Austrian states were consolidated into the German Empire, under the leadership of Prussia.

After the First World War, some areas ceded to France, Belgium and Denmark. Posen and parts of Silesia and West Prussia ceded to Poland and the northern tip of East Prussia (Memel) went to Lithuania.

After the Second World War, East Prussia divided between Poland and Russia; most of Pommerania, West Prussia and Silesia went to Poland.

Depends upon the state. Not consistent until 1876.

Internal provincial border changes often make it hard to determine which archive has the particular records you need. Some archives are:

Zentralstelle fur Genealogie
Georgi-Demitroff-Platz 1
O-7010
Leipzig
(Holds vital statistic records for more than 400 communities)

Leo Baeck Institute
New York
NY 10021
Web site: www.lbi.com

Senatsverwaltung fur Inneres in Berlin
IC 506/507
Fehrbelliner Platz
D-10702 Berlin

There is no central registry office in Berlin, each district has its own. If the exact address of the district is not known, the above may be of use.

Landesarchiv Berlin
Kalckrreuthstrasse 1-2
D-10777 Berlin

Holds lists of Berlin deportations and other Berlin Jewish Communal material

Bundesarchiv
Berliner Strasse 98-101
O-1561 Potsdam

Staatsbibliothek (a major library)
Unter den Linden 8,
Postfach 1312
O-1086 Berlin

Hamburg Staatsarchiv website www.hamburg.de/fhh/behoerden/staatsarchiv/ has a searchable database with details of many emigrants embarking at Hamburg.

State Archive Stuttgart
Konrad-Adenauerstrasse 4
D-780137 Stuttgart
Email: Hauptstaatarchiv@s.lad-bw.de
Web site: www.lad-bw.de

Generallandesarchiv Karlsuhe
Nordliche Hildapromenade 2
D-76133 Karlsruhe

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