Lübeck, Germany, Draft Registration Lists for Persons Born 1807-1902

These draft registration lists are for young men residing in the Free City of Lübeck who were born between 1807 and 1902. They include information such as name, birth date, birth place, residence place, father's name, mother's name (including maiden name), status/occupation, physical description, and notes on the person’s recruitment status. As census records are very rare in Germany, military records are one of the most popular records for genealogical research providing rich detail including not only the person's birth date, birth place, and parent's names, but also a physical description, such as hair and eye color. All draft-eligible males are also included, not just those who actually served in the military.

To achieve free city (also free imperial city) status, the Emperor had to publicly declare his direct rule over the city. In 1226 Frederick II, Holy Roman Emperor, awarded Lübeck this free city status. Due to its location, the city became the capital of the Hanseatic League, which was a trading monopoly comprised of cities and guilds along the northern coast of Europe from the 13th to 17th centuries. From 1817 to 1867 Lübeck became one of the 39 sovereign states in the German Confederation, created to serve as successor to the Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation. In 1871 Lübeck became an autonomous member of the newly founded German Empire, which proclaimed Wilhelm I as German Emperor.

Information in this index:

• Name
• Birth date
• Birth place
• Place of residence
• Parents’ names
• Physical description
• Recruitment status notes