Skip to content

East Prussia (Ostpreußen) Genealogy Tutorial: An Expanded Guide

Researching ancestry in East Prussia (Ostpreußen) is one of the most complex challenges in German genealogy due to the region’s volatile history, shifting borders, and the destruction and displacement resulting from the two World Wars. Success depends on understanding the region's historical context, administrative divisions, and the locations of records in modern-day archives.

I. Historical and Geographical Context (1772–1945)

The Province of East Prussia was a key part of the Kingdom of Prussia and later the German Empire (1871–1945). Its borders and internal divisions changed significantly over time.

Time Period Key Historical Context Impact on Genealogy
Pre-1772 Duchy of Prussia (Lutheran) was a vassal of the Polish Crown. The western region was Royal Prussia (largely Catholic, Polish Crown). Records are primarily in Polish and Lithuanian archives, sometimes in Latin or Early New High German.
1772–1918 Province of East Prussia (created in 1772 after the First Partition of Poland). Capital: Königsberg. From 1829–1878, it was briefly joined with West Prussia. Became part of the German Empire in 1871. Most records are in German. The key administrative divisions are the Regierungsbezirke (districts) and Kreise (counties).
1919–1939 Separated from the rest of Germany by the Polish Corridor. Memel Territory (Klaipėda) detached and given to Lithuania (1923). The southern Soldau region given to Poland. The capital remains Königsberg. Administrative boundaries change slightly. Records from Memelland are now found in Lithuanian archives.
1945 & Post-WWII East Prussia is divided between the Soviet Union (northern part, including Königsberg, now Kaliningrad Oblast, Russia) and Poland (southern part, primarily the modern Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship). The German population was expelled. Records are scattered in archives in Germany (Berlin), Poland (Olsztyn), and Russia (Kaliningrad).

Key Administrative Divisions (Circa 1905–1945)

East Prussia was divided into three Regierungsbezirke (administrative regions), which are critical for locating records:

  1. Königsberg (West and Central)
  2. Gumbinnen (East, including Lithuanian-speaking areas)
  3. Allenstein (South, created in 1905, primarily Polish-speaking Masuria and Catholic Ermland/Warmia)

II. Essential Genealogical Records and How to Find Them

Genealogical research in Ostpreußen relies primarily on two major record groups: Church Records and Civil Registration.

A. Church Records (Kirchenbücher)

These are the most important records for research prior to 1874. Most East Prussians were Evangelisch (Lutheran/Protestant), with a significant Katholisch (Catholic) enclave in the Ermland/Warmia region.

Record Type Time Period Denomination Key Information
Baptisms (Taufen) Typically mid-17th century–1945 Lutheran & Catholic Child's name, birth/baptism date, parents’ names, father’s occupation/residence, godparents.
Marriages (Heiraten) Typically mid-17th century–1945 Lutheran & Catholic Date, names of bride/groom, parents’ names, and typically the birthplace/residence of the bride and groom.
Burials (Begräbnisse) Typically mid-17th century–1945 Lutheran & Catholic Date of death/burial, name of deceased, age, cause of death, spouse or parents.

Where to Find Church Records:

  • Archion (Subscription): The primary source for digitized Protestant (Evangelisch) church records from East Prussia, held by the Evangelical Central Archives in Berlin (EZA).
  • Matricula Online (Free): A growing repository for digitized Catholic church records.
  • FamilySearch: Has a large collection of microfilmed records, many of which are now digitized and available for browsing (some may require viewing at a FamilySearch Center or affiliate library). Search the Catalog by the German town name.

B. Civil Registration (Standesamtsregister)

Civil registration was mandated across Prussia starting October 1, 1874. These records—maintained by the local Standesamt (civil registry office)—are often more complete and legible than church records and are an excellent source for the 1874–1945 period.

Where to Find Civil Registration Records (1874–1945):

  • Ancestry.com (Subscription): Hosts the key collection: "Eastern Prussian Provinces, Germany [Poland], Selected Civil Vitals, 1874-1945." These are duplicate records from the Standesamt I in Berlin that were rescued from the former German territories.
  • Polish Archives (Archiwum Państwowe): For areas now in Poland, the originals are in the Polish State Archives, primarily the Archiwum Państwowe w Olsztynie (Olsztyn State Archive). Many have been digitized and can be browsed online.
  • FamilySearch Wiki: Provides a comprehensive list of available online records.

III. Essential Research Tools

To successfully research in East Prussia, you must be able to convert your ancestor’s German town name and administrative structure into its modern-day location and jurisdictions.

Tool Purpose Key Feature for East Prussia Reference Link
Kartenmeister A gazetteer that converts historical German place names (1871–1945) to modern Polish/Russian/Lithuanian names. Provides the German and Polish/Russian town name, the German Kreis (county), and the names of the associated Protestant and Catholic parishes and Standesamt. Kartenmeister Search Engine
Meyers Gazetteer The standard German gazetteer for the German Empire (c. 1905). Crucial for identifying the correct German administrative jurisdiction (Kreis and Regierungsbezirk) for your town before 1945. MeyersGaz.org Online Gazetteer
PRADZIAD Database Database of Polish State Archives and parish records. Helps identify which Polish Archive (Archiwum Państwowe) holds the records for a specific locality now in Poland. PRADZIAD Database (in Polish)

IV. Specialized Topics & Resources

  • Mennonite Genealogy: East Prussia was home to significant settlements of Mennonites, particularly in the Vistula Delta (West Prussia) and scattered throughout the eastern regions. Their records are often kept separately from both Lutheran and Catholic records.
  • Reading Old German Script: Most pre-1945 records were written in Kurrent or Sütterlin handwriting. Learning to read these scripts is vital.
  • Societies and Mailing Lists: Connecting with others researching the region is invaluable due to the scattered nature of the records.
  • The Expulsion (Flucht und Vertreibung): The mass flight and expulsion of the German population after WWII created a significant body of post-war records now held in Germany, such as records of displaced persons.

Credits

Compiled by Mark Rabideau, Opa & Professional Genealogist.