I will be going back to Germany on Thursday and hope to solve my emmigration of the family. I know they were from Ankum, Bersenbruck, Delbruck and Westenholz. As many of you know I have not found any of the records. Did Germany take census back in the 1840's? Any suggestions as to where I should look for their records. This is to many families to have traveled without papers. 1 was a young lady at about 20 years old. Another family had very small children, no need to avoid military duty. I went to the archives at Osnabruck last time with no luck. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Pat
Pat,
I think we corresponded before. You said you went to the Osnabrück
archives, but found nothing. If your people were Catholic ( I think you
said that was possible) the place to go is the Osnabrück Catholic diocesan
office. It is in the city center very near the Catholic Church there. It's
across the parking lot from the church. You can't miss it. You should call
ahead for a reservation - you can call when you're there - I called from
here (USA) - the head man there knows enough English.
http://www.kath.de/bistum/osnabrueck/2/2-7/2-7.html
Some parish churches won't let you see their own records. Too fragile
with time. I'd try the diocese first.
Happy hunting!
Barbara