Germany - huge brickwall - WW2 story reads like a novel!

[Gen List Lass]

Researching my son in laws German ancestors but haven't got far with his dad. Most of the info is either from his Australian immigration papers or his elderly mothers recollections of things her husband Paul told her. Paul died 2003.

Paul Herman Horst GEFFERT born 19 May 1936 Hamburg. Father Christian Paul Geffert, mother Marianna von Leliva

WW2 - Paul and a baby sister are being looked after somewhere in Germany by their mothers mother, nationality possibly Russian. Mother Marianna killed by bomb possibly in Minster? Munchen?, father Christian in POW camp,somewhere. His father was a mechanic but worked in the army as medical sanitator? in war and carried wounded.

After the war, Christian searches for 2 years for his children. Paul was a Ward of State and on a farm for a while. Baby sister is where? His father Christian remarries, Paul hates the stepmother and takes off on a ship aged about 17. Possibly first to Canada or USA but lands up eventually in Australia 1955 from where I have the story.

I have searched several online records and written to the Hamburg archives but they just told me to hire a researcher to look up Paul's birth, not helpful. I would pay for them to look it up for me! Why can't they do the lookup?

Gen in Northumberland UK

[davecapps]

the following documents are protected by the German Personenstandsgesetz - Privacy law

Marriage records - 80 years
Births - 110 years
Deaths - 30 years

Pauls birth, 1936, falls in this protected time period and the record is thus still kept in the registry office archives.

To get his birth certificate you will have to find the right registry office and also prove that you are a direct descendant and elligible for application.

[davecapps]

I had a look at the Hamburg Adressbuch from 1936.

I found a C. Geffert, Hausmeister (Janitor or custodian) in Jenfelderstrasse 20, Hamburg Wandsbek.

This could be Pauls Father.

to find the right registry office I suggest you contact the Generalregister of Hamburg.
This is the governing body of all registry offices in Hamburg.

Give them Pauls date of birth + all details you have.
You will need to pay a fee (somewhere between 17 Euro - 50 Euro).
It should´nt turn out to expensive as you have the correct date of birth.

Bezirksamt Hamburg-Nord - Standesamtliche Registerstelle und Generalregister

Eiffestraße 74
20537 Hamburg

Fon: +49 40 42804-1683
Fax: +49 40 4279-04845
   
generalregister@hamburg-nord.hamburg.de


Happy hunting

[Gen List Lass]

Thank you Dave. This janitor in Jenfelderstrasse 20, Hamburg Wandsbek is a possibility, I'll save that one.

I've written to the address you suggested giving them all the details. I hope I don't get the same bog standard reply  (in German) telling me to hire a researcher!

Gen in NBL UK

[cockney rebel]

Hi
What davecapps has said is correct.
Civil registration records for this period are simply not available.
Even Google Streetview isn't available due to privacy issues!

Church registers ("Kirchenbuecher") are available in the relevant local archives but there is very,very little online.

Please do report on your progress!
Good Luck

Rebel

[davecapps]

Let us know how you get on.
If you need any assistance let me know.

Dave

[Gen List Lass]

Thanks for your help, Dave and Rebel.

My cousin pointed out something that might be of help - the FamilySearch Wiki for Germany. There I found how to write a letter to the German archives, in English and in German. https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/Germany_Genealogy

Also some tutorials on German scripts. The snip Dave sent me was I think written in old German Script typeface, not easy to read when you encounter it for the first time!

I'll tell you how I get on. I might have to get my son in law to write to them himself as he is the next of kin.

Gen in NBL UK

[davecapps]

Just checking to make sure you are addressing the right people.

Contact the

Bezirksamt Hamburg-Nord - Standesamtliche Registerstelle und Generalregister
Eiffestraße 74
20537 Hamburg

and request that they provide the address and the name of the registry office where the records can be found. They will not be able to provide any documents.

You can then write to the appropiate registry office and request the documents needed.

As said, if you need any assistance let me know.

Dave

[Gen List Lass]

Dave, that is the place I have emailed, headed "Birth certificate - where do I apply?"

Gen in NBL UK