Finding places
A gazetteer is a geographical dictionary or directory that is used in conjunction with a map or atlas. They typically contain information concerning the geographical makeup, social statistics and physical features of a country, region, or continent.
When you need to know the geopolitical units of which your ancestor's village formed a part then a good German gazetteer is essential.
When you need to know the geopolitical units of which your ancestor's village formed a part then a good German gazetteer is essential.
Meyers Orts- und Verkehrs-Lexikon des Deutschen Reichs
This book (commonly referred to as Meyers Gazetteer) lists the names of places as they existed in Germany from 1871 to 1918. It gives the name of the state or province where each town was located at that time. Note that the gazetteer is written in gothic print, which can be hard to read. You may also need a german dictionary.
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East and West Prussia Gazetteer
This site uses modern web technology to present similar information but with more limited scope. Its focus is on the old state of Prussia (much of which is now located within Poland).
This site uses modern web technology to present similar information but with more limited scope. Its focus is on the old state of Prussia (much of which is now located within Poland).
Kartenmeister
This site has an even narrower focus. . All locations are EAST of the Oder and Neisse rivers and are based on the borders of the eastern provinces in Spring 1918. Included in this database are the following provinces: Eastprussia, including Memel, Westprussia, Brandenburg, Posen, Pomerania, and Silesia.
This site has an even narrower focus. . All locations are EAST of the Oder and Neisse rivers and are based on the borders of the eastern provinces in Spring 1918. Included in this database are the following provinces: Eastprussia, including Memel, Westprussia, Brandenburg, Posen, Pomerania, and Silesia.
- Search the database for a locality by its German or Polish name.
- Get some help on how to use the online gazetteer in a Family Search Training Course. You will also learn to find all the villages listed within a county or “Kreis” and how to collaborate with other people researching the same localities.