How it goes the research on?
At the very beginning the information about your forefather would be needed. Usually the research is focused on the male side of the family which means that information of your grandfather’s or even better your great-grandfather’s are needed:
- name
- surname (family name)
- birthplace
- birthday, date would be highly recommended.
The research is based on metrical or vital records, till 1800 written in Kurrent script and in old Germany language. In the period before 1800 in Kurrent script and Latin language. On this point the research based on Vital records ends. For further researches the Urbarium is used. The research can then go on till 15. century or even more.
If you understand Slovenian you are welcome to listen to:
Interview by Moderator Robert Roškar with Rajmund Lampreht on the Slovenian Radio 1:
Link:
SOURCES
Before starting genealogical research, we must clarify the difference between sources. Not all sources are reliable!
The Best Sources for Genealogy Research in Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Slovenia, Croatia, Italy, Bosnia, Serbia, Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Poland are church records.
Church records
Church records or parish registers consist of baptism or birth records, marriage records, and death records.
Church books are very reliable! Certificates from church records are also recognized by the court.
Link to church books
Status Animarum
The Status Animarum is similar to a population census. However, these records are not reliable and not recognized by the court.
Link to Status Animarum
Urbarium and land registers
Urbarium and land registers are very reliable concerning property ownership. However, for genealogical research, they are useful only as secondary sources.
Link to Urbarium
Link to land register
List of databases
Many laypeople use so-called online databases. These are databases with family tree data. The data was entered voluntarily and for free by users.
The data has not been verified for accuracy or reliability. Since it was collected by amateurs, the information is often not error-free. Very often, the details are incorrect.
Therefore, these databases must be viewed very critically, and every piece of information should be carefully verified!
Databases by country:
United States
Ancestry
Geni
MyHeritage
FamilySearch
Austria
Familia Austria
Slovenia
Rodoslovno društvo
Croatia
Geni
MyHeritage
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Geni
MyHeritage
Dr. Lampreht can offer you:
Verification of data from the database
Extension of the data from the database
Supporting the data with official documents
The Most Common Mistakes in Genealogy Research
- Using incorrect starting data
- Taking oral information at face value without verification
- Starting research randomly in history
- Using irrelevant sources
- Using databases without verifying the information
Checklist: First Steps in Genealogy
- Talk to parents and grandparents about the ancestors
- Talk to other relatives about the ancestors
- Visit the graves and write down the information
- Visit the church or parish archives to obtain older records. If we have trouble reading the handwriting, we contact Dr. Lampreht
- With the help of software, we create the family tree – or we contact Dr. Lampreht
Read more about Genealogy and which Knowledge are needed… folow me.