Lexi Webster
Catholic Bavarian vital records can be found in church records, which are an important source for genealogical research in Germany before civil registration began in 1876. They record details of baptisms, marriages, deaths and burials. The records are kept by the civil registrar at the civil registry office.
Church records can be found online at websites such as FamilySearch, Ancestry.com and Matricula. FamilySearch has a collection of digitised microfilms of German genealogy records, including Catholic and Lutheran church records from 1591-1963. Ancestry.com also has a collection of German genealogy records, but this requires a paid subscription. Matricula has Catholic Diocese church books online for Germany, Austria, Poland, Serbia, Luxemburg, Bosnia & Herzogovina, Slovenia, and Italy.
Alternatively, you can write to the local priest for church records, or visit the local parish.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Bavaria, Germany |
| Time Period | 1591-1963 |
| Religious Affiliation | Catholic, Lutheran |
| Types of Records | Baptisms, Marriages, Deaths, Burials, Confirmations, Family Registers |
| Format | Parish Registers, Church Books |
| Where to Find | FamilySearch, Ancestry, Matricula, Local Parish, Diocesan Archives, State Archives |
What You'll Learn
Catholic and Lutheran Church Records
Church records are an important source for genealogical research in Germany before civil registration began. They recorded details of baptisms, marriages, deaths, and burials. The vast majority of the population was mentioned in these records.
In Bavaria, the Catholic Church and Lutheran Church have been the predominant religions. As such, their records are a valuable resource for genealogical research.
Catholic Church Records
Catholic Church records for Bavaria can be found in the following diocesan archives:
- Augsburg
- Bamberg
- Eichstätt
- Munich and Freising
- Passau
- Regensburg
- Würzburg
The Archive and Library of the Archdiocese of Munich and Freising, for example, has complete online coverage of Roman Catholic church records for the diocese of Munich in Bavaria.
Lutheran Church Records
The Landeskirchliches Archiv der Evangelical-Lutheran Church in Bavaria holds Lutheran Church records for the region.
Online Church Records
FamilySearch has digitised collections of Catholic and Lutheran Church records for Bavaria from 1591-1963. Ancestry.com also has a collection of German Lutheran Church Records, though this requires a subscription.
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Parish Registers
Church records or duplicates may have been gathered from the local parishes into central archives, either by the churches or the state. Older records are frequently given to these archives for safekeeping. Some gaps in the church records of local parishes could be filled using these records.
Church record inventories are essential tools for finding German records. They identify what records should be available for a specified parish and where to write for information on these records. They list the church records, their location, and the years they cover. Sometimes inventories explain which parishes served which towns at different periods of time.
- Index evangelische Kirchenbücher im Landeskirchenarchiv Speyer
- Pfarrbücherverzeichnis für die Evang.-Lutherische und Evang.- Reformierte Kirche des rechtsrheinischen Bayerns
- Die Kirchenbücher der bayerischen Pfalz. Beschreibendes Verzeichnis
- Pfarrbücherverzeichnis für das Bistum Augsburg
- Pfarrbücherverzeichnis für das Bistum Eichstätt
- Pfarrbücherverzeichnis für das Erzbistum Bamberg
- Pfarrbücherverzeichnis für das Erzbistum München und Freising
- Pfarrbücherverzeichnis für das Bistum Passau
- Pfarrbücherverzeichnis für das Bistum Regensburg
- Pfarrbücherverzeichnis für das Bistum Würzburg
- Pfarrmatrikel-Zweitschriften, Verzeichnisse
- Kirchenbuchportal: See Bistum Augsburg (Catholic), Bistum Speyer (Catholic), and Ev. Kirche der Pfalz (Lutheran)
You can also find online church records for Bavaria, for example:
- Archive and Library of the Archdiocese of Munich and Freising, complete online coverage of Roman Catholic church records for the diocese of Munich in Bavaria
- Landeskirchliches Archiv der Evangelical-Lutheran Church in Bavaria at Archion - images
- Bistum Passau at Matricula Online - images; church books for several Catholic parishes from the Passau, Bavaria, area
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Church Books
Church records (parish registers, church books) are an important source for genealogical research in Germany before civil registration began. They recorded details of baptisms, marriages, deaths and burials. The vast majority of the population was mentioned.
Church record inventories are essential tools for finding German records. They identify what records should be available for a specified parish and where to write for information on these records. They list the church records, their location, and the years they cover. Sometimes inventories explain which parishes served which towns at different periods of time.
Online Church Records
Online church records can be found on the following websites:
- FamilySearch
- Ancestry.com
- Archion
- Matricula
- German Emigrant Data Base
- National German Military Grave Registration Service
- German War Memorial Website
- Gravestones in German Cemeteries - Grabstein-Projekt
Digital Copies of Church Records in the FamilySearch Catalog
Try to find records in the collection of the FamilySearch Library. Many microfilms have been digitized for online viewing. Gradually, everything will be digitized, so check back occasionally. Some have viewing restrictions, and can only be viewed at a FamilySearch Center near you, and/or by members of supporting organizations.
Research in Church and State Archives
Church records or duplicates may have been gathered from the local parishes into central archives, either by the churches or the state. Older records are frequently given to these archives for safekeeping. Some gaps in the church records of local parishes could be filled using these records.
Catholic Archives
Because the Catholic Church is so predominant in Bavaria, there are six dioceses. To find the correct diocese archives, look up your parish in The Catholic Directory for Germany.
Evangelical Lutheran (Protestant) Archives
Evangelical Lutheran (Protestant) archives can be found in Bamberg, Coburg, Nuremberg, Würzburg, Augsburg, Amberg, Munich, and Landshut.
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Online Church Records
Church records are an important source for genealogical research in Germany before civil registration began. They recorded details of baptisms, marriages, deaths and burials. The vast majority of the population was mentioned.
The following websites provide online church records:
- FamilySearch: This website provides free access to a wide range of genealogical records, including German baptism, marriage, and death indexes, as well as digitised microfilms of German genealogy records. However, some records require registration and can only be viewed at an LDS Family History Centre or a FamilySearch-affiliated library.
- Ancestry: This website offers a range of German genealogy records, including selected Protestant church books, Catholic church books, German emigration indexes, and German military records. However, a subscription is required to access these records.
- Archion: This website provides scanned church books for some German Evangelical (Protestant) churches. A subscription is required.
- Matricula: This website offers digitised Catholic church books for several German dioceses, including Munich and Freising.
- German Roots: This website provides links to various online resources for German genealogy records, including civil registration records, church records, emigration lists, and military records.
In addition to these websites, there are also specific archives and libraries that provide online access to church records for certain regions or dioceses in Germany. For example, the Archive and Library of the Archdiocese of Munich and Freising offer complete online coverage of Roman Catholic church records for the diocese of Munich in Bavaria. The Landeskirchliches Archiv der Evangelical-Lutheran Church in Bavaria also provides online access to church records, although a subscription is required.
When searching for online church records, it is important to know the specific town or parish you are looking for, as records are typically organised by location. Additionally, some records may only be accessible from certain locations, such as an LDS Family History Centre or a FamilySearch-affiliated library.
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Catholic Diocese Church Books
Church records, or parish registers, are an important source for genealogical research in Germany before civil registration began. They recorded details of baptisms, marriages, deaths and burials, and the vast majority of the population was mentioned.
Church records or duplicates may have been gathered from local parishes into central archives, either by the churches or the state. Older records are frequently given to these archives for safekeeping. Some gaps in the church records of local parishes could be filled using these records.
To find the correct diocese archives, look up your parish in The Catholic Directory for Germany. Click on "View Full Listing" to find the diocese for that parish.
- Augsburg: Pfarrhausstrasse 4 86154 Augsburg Germany. Phone: 0821-3166 8561. Fax: 0821-3166 8569. Email: [email protected]
- Bamberg: Regensburger Ring 2 D-96047 Bamberg Germany. Tel 0951/40747-0, Fax 0951/40747-50. Email: [email protected]
- Eichstätt: Luitpoldstr. 1 D-85072 Eichstätt Germany. Tel: 08421/50-761, Fax: 08421/50-769. Email: [email protected]
- Munich and Freising: Karmeliterstr. 1 D-80333 München Germany. Mailing Address: Postfach 330360 D-80063 München Germany. Tel: 089-2137-1346. Email: [email protected]
- Passau: Luragogasse 4 94032 Passau Germany. Phone: 851-393-386, Fax: 851-393-449. Email: [email protected]
- Regensburg: St. Petersweg 11-13 D-93047 Regensburg Germany. Phone: 49-941-597-2520. Fax: 49-941-597-2521. Email: [email protected]
- Würzburg: Domerschulstraße 17 97070 Würzburg Germany. Phone: 0931-386 67 100. Fax: 0931-386 67 101. Email: [email protected]
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Frequently asked questions
Catholic Bavarian vital records can be found on the following websites:
- FamilySearch
- Ancestry.com
- Matricula
- Archion
To find Catholic Bavarian vital records, you will need to know the name of the town your ancestor lived in, the religious affiliation of your ancestor, and the approximate date of the event.
Catholic Bavarian vital records can include details of baptisms, marriages, confirmations, deaths, and burials. They may also contain financial account books, communion lists, penance registers, and lists of church members.
