Our genealogy services
Specialized in German Jewish History
Our expertise and genealogy services cover a wide range of historical areas and subjects. One specialty is Jewish history in Germany, its former Eastern provinces (Western and Eastern Prussia, Silesia), Poland, or the Habsburg Lands (Austria, Hungary, Galicia…). This includes the rich Jewish life of the 18th and 19th century up until the 1930s, but also the Shoah and all of its aftermath, as well as emigration before and after the war.
Finding relatives, documents, and graves
We have found graves of long lost ancestors and addresses of family members. But we have also traced down distant relatives, found unknown mothers and fathers (albeit deceased), were able to locate photographs and documents. Our work has even resulted in restitution cases and German passports for survivors and their families.
German Citizenship
“Can I get a German passport?”
The short answer: German citizenship may be closer than you think! After a recent change in citizenship law, it has become a lot easier for descendants of persecuted people to become German. Have you been unsuccessful in claiming citizenship before? You might have a new chance now. For example if your ancestors lived in Germany but were Polish, if you were rejected on grounds of only one (grand)parent being German or if your parents were not married.
Also, dual citizenship or a career in the military are no longer an obstacle. Contact us to see how we can help you, your children and grandchildren become German.
German Citizenship Full Service
Our citizenship flat fee covers everything from first consultation to the moment you pick up your citizenship certificate at the nearest German consulate, worry-free. We find all the historical documents you need and take care of the tedious German paperwork. As your representative, we also deal with eventual questions of the German authorities. Our long-term experience and expert knowledge on the process will get you to citizenship faster than the average applicant. Ask us for a quote today!
Handwritten documents
Translating old German script
Previous generations relied on handwriting – but today in the computer age, typing is the way to go. Consequently we have often lost the ability to read old handwriting, especially in other languages or older scripts. One of GermanGen’s key skills is reading old German handwriting from Kanzleischrift to Kurrent or Sütterlin. We’re here to help you decipher your family’s handwritten treasures and letters and offer qualified translations into English.
Remembering
Traveling to the roots
Have you ever wanted to see where your ancestors lived? To get a sense of place and space? We’ll help you prepare your roots trip to the places where your ancestors lived and spent their day to day. Roots trips will give you a better understanding of the past and make new memories for yourself and your family. Take your children and grandchildren on a journey that will create lasting impressions for generations to come.
Stolpersteine
These engraved brass “stumbling blocks” are permanently installed into the pavement in front of the last freely chosen physical address of persecuted people in many European countries. The act of sinking them into the pavement, to make the absence visible, is often accompanied by a ceremony to remember the lives lost. We’ll help you find the pre-war address of your ancestors for Stolperstein memorials and coordinate your interests with local Stolperstein initiatives.
Special service: Leipzig birth, death, marriage records
Stadtarchiv Leipzig has limited capacity for providing entries from their birth, death, and marriage records. We’ll get you any record, if you provide us with an exact birth date (€ 250 flat fee). Individual research is subject to our hourly, see below.
Pricing
As of 2023, our hourly is € 120 at a minimum of 5 hours research.
Book your consultation (€ 95 flat for one hour Zoom call) – and find out how we can help you bring your family history to the next level!
We’re looking forward to hearing your family history!
If you have very limited financial means and/ or are a Holocaust survivor, please contact us for special rates.