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We want to create a resource site that contains facts, research information and history of the region.

A special "Thank You" to all of the people who donated the many hours of typing, translation and research to help create this site. Without all of these volunteers, this site would not be possible.

The information contained in these pages has been donated by researchers who have ancestors who lived in the Black Forest Region of Germany. They have agreed to share the results of their work. Every effort has been made to assure that the information is as accurate as possible however, mistakes do happen, and some information may be incorrect.

Here are some interesting facts to help you find your Black Forest ancestors

Answers to some often asked questions:

Question:
In 1890 what were the administrative areas of Baden?
Answer:
In 1890 Baden consisted of 4 districts and 11 Kreis (counties)

District of Konstanz with 3 Kreis:
Konstanz, Villingen, Waldshut

District of Freiburg with 3 Kreis:
Freiburg, Loerrach, Offenburg

District of Karlsruhe with 2 Kreis:
Baden, Karlsruhe

District of Mannheim with 3 Kreis:
Mannheim, Heidelberg, Mosbach

Its population was 36% Evangelical, 62% Catholic. 1.6% Jewish

Question:
What were the court districts in 1890?

Answer:
The highest court in the Grandduchy of Baden was the Oberlandesgericht in Karlsruhe.

The lower courts in Baden were:

Landgericht Freiberg with 10 Amtsgerichte:
Breisach, Emmendingen, Ettenheim, Freiberg, Kenzingen, Loerrach, Millheim, Neustadt, Staufen, Waldkirch

Landgericht - Karlsruhe with 11 Amtsgerichte:
Baden-Baden, Bretten, Bruchsal, Durlach, Eppingen, Ettlingen, Gernsbach. Karlsruhe, Pforzheim, Philippsburg, Rastatt

Landgericht - Konstanz with 9 Amtsgerichte:
Donaueschingen, Engen, Konstanz, Messkirch, Pfullendorf, Radolfzell, Stockach, Ueberlingen, Villingen

Landgericht - Mannheim with 6 Amtsgerichte:
Heidelberg, Mannheim, Schwetzingen, Sinsheim, Weinheim, Wiesloch

Landgericht - Mosbach with 9 Amtsgerichte:
Adelsheim, Boxberg, Buchen, Eberbach, Mosbach, Neckarbischofsheim, Tauberbischofsheim, Walldum, Wertheim

Landgericht - Offenburg with 9 Amtsgerichte:
Achem, Buhl, Gengenbach, Kehl, Lahr, Oberkirch, Offenbach, Triberg, Wolfach

Landgericht - Waldshut with 6 Amtsgerichte:
Bonndorf, Saeckingen, Schoenau, Schopfheim, St.Blasien, Walshut

Question:
When were civil registers introduced?

Answer:
Civil registers of births, marriages and deaths were introduced in Baden by the French in 1792. The Civil registry office is called Standesamt.

Question:
Where are Mennonite congregations in Baden?

Answer:
Here are some statistics for the Mennonite congregations in Baden (selected from Mennonitisches Lexikon 106 - 107)

Grandduchy of Baden:

Adelsheim (79 souls), Durlach (45). Duehren (100), Hasselbach (126) Heimbronnerhof (45), Moenchzell (35), Neuhof (35), Rappenau (49), Sinsheim (80), Ueberlingen (130), Woessingen (100)