Magdeburg, Germany, Marriages, 1874-1923

About this collection

This collection contains marriage records from Magdeburg covering the years 1874 up to and including 1923. Magdeburg is located about 80 miles west of Berlin on the Elbe River. It is the capital of the German state of Saxony-Anhalt. The first documentary mention of Magdeburg was in 805. The city quickly developed into a significant industrial center at the junction of important trade routes. By the end of the 13th century, Magdeburg was a member of the Hanseatic League and in the late Middle Ages was one of the largest German cities. The Protestant Cathedral of Magdeburg and numerous other religious sites attest to Magdeburg's important role during the Reformation. During the time period of this collection, Magdeburg was the capital of the Prussian province of Saxony. The collection includes records from 16 communities which are today boroughs of the modern city.

Beginning on October 1, 1874, local registry offices were made responsible for creating birth, marriage and death records in the former Prussian provinces. The collected records are arranged chronologically and usually in bound yearbook form which are collectively referred to as "civil registers." For most of the communities included in the collection, corresponding alphabetical directories of names were also created. While churches continued to keep traditional records, the State also mandated that the personal or marital status of the entire population be recorded.

What you can find in the records

Marriage records were created using preprinted forms that were filled in by hand by the registrar. Depending on the individual form or on the formulations used by the registrar, you may find:

• Sequential or Certificate Number
• Marriage Date
• Groom: Occupation, Last name, Given names, Denomination, Age or Birthdate and Birthplace, Residence as well as details about his Parents and their Place of Residence
• Bride: Occupation, Last name, Given names, Maiden Name, Denomination, Age or Birthdate and Birthplace, Residence as well as details about her Parents and their Place of Residence
• Witnesses
• Signatures

More about using this collection

Each document has a front and back. These are displayed one ofter the other. Additional events from the life of the couple were sometimes recorded later on in the margins. These notes, sometimes referred to as "narration," can contain very useful information but they have not been indexed. As a result, information from the notes will not found via the search form. Under "Browse this collection,” select the Register Type, Civil Registration Office and Year Range of the register desired. If a name directory was created, it can be found at the beginning of each respective register.