Ludwigslust, Germany, Marriage Records, 1876-1924

About this collection

This collection contains marriage records and name directories from Ludwigslust covering the years 1876 up to and including 1924. Ludwigslust is an independent city in the district of Ludwigslust-Parchim in the German state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. It is situated about 22 miles south of the capital Schwerin. The history of this city is closely linked with its baroque Ludwigslust Palace also known as "Versailles of the North." Originating from a favorite medieval estate of Prince Christian Ludwig, built near the village Klenow, it became known as Ludwigslust (Ludwig's pleasure) in 1754 when he succeded to the Dukedom of Mecklenburg-Schwerin. His successors made Ludwigslust the residential palace and relocated the court of Schwerin there. They enlarged the castle and created some of the largest landscaped grounds in Northern Germany. In addition to Ludwigslust the collection includes Leussow and Groß Laasch with records covering varying time periods.

Beginning on January 1, 1876, birth, marriage and death records in the former German Empire were created by local registry offices. The collected records are arranged chronologically and usually bound together in the form of yearbooks. These are collectively referred to as "civil registers." Complementary alphabetical directories of names may also have been created. While churches continued to keep traditional records, the State also mandated that the personal or marital status of the entire population be recorded.

What you can find in the records

Marriage records were created using preprinted forms that were filled in by hand by the registrar. Depending on the individual form or on the formulations used by the registrar, you may find:

• Sequential or Certificate Number
• Marriage Date
• Groom: Occupation, Given Names, Last Name, Denomination, Birthdate and Birthplace, Residence as well as details about his Parents and their Place of Residence
• Bride: Occupation, Given Names, Last Name, Maiden Name, Denomination, Birthdate and Birthplace, Residence/Address as well as details about her Parents and their Place of Residence
• Witnesses
• Signatures

The name directories are arranged alphabetically according to the last name of the groom. They are generally bound as separate volumes covering several years each. They contain the following details:

• Last Name, Given Names, Occupation and Residence of the groom
• Last Name and Given Names of the Bride
• Cross-reference to marriage register

More about using this collection

Each document has a front and back. These are displayed one ofter the other. Additional events from the life of the couple were sometimes recorded later on in the margins. These notes, sometimes referred to as "narration," can contain very useful information but they have not been indexed. As a result, information from the notes will not found via the search form. Under "Browse this collection,” select the Civil Registration Office and Year Range of the register desired. Name directories appear at the end of the Year Range lists.