Finding Your German Ancestors: Connecting People, Places, and Records

German genealogy follows different rules — and understanding those rules changes everything. In this opening keynote, Andrea Bentschneider introduces the conceptual foundation every German genealogy researcher needs before touching a single record. Starting with the historical landscape — from 45 independent states to a unified Germany in 1871 — Andrea explains why place, religion, time period, and name are the four essential starting points for any successful search. She walks through the major record types available for German research, from church books and civil registration to military and emigration records, and shows how each fits into a structured, jurisdiction-based research approach. This keynote is designed to orient attendees at every level, build genuine confidence, and prepare researchers to make the most of the FamilySearch resources presented throughout the day.