Prenzlau, Germany, Deaths, 1874-1950

About this collection

This collection contains death records from Prenzlau covering the years 1874 up to and including 1950. Prenzlau is the administrative center of the district of Uckermark in the German state of Brandenburg. The city is situated about 62 miles north of Munich and approximatly 31 miles west of the Polish city of Stettin. The first documentary mention of Prenzlau was in 1187 and at that time it was already an important hub of long-distance trade. Numerous churches, abbeys and steeples characterize its skyline. During the time period of this collection until 1946, Prenzlau belonged to the Prussian Province of Brandenburg. The collection includes records from the communities of Dedelow, Klinkow and Seelübbe.

Beginning on October 1, 1874, local registry offices were made responsible for creating birth, marriage, and death records in the former Prussian provinces. The collected records are arranged chronologically and usually in bound yearbook form which are collectively referred to as "civil registers." For some communities, 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

Death records were created using preprinted forms that were filled in by hand by the registrar. In each record the date of death usually differs from the date it was registered. Depending on the individual form or on the formulations used by the registrar, you may find:

• Sequential or Certificate Number
• Informant: Given Names, Last Name, Maiden Name, Occupation, Residence/Address, Denomination
• Deceased: Occupation, Given Names, Last Name, Maiden Name, Age, Denomination, Residence/Address, Place/Date of Birth, Spouse/Parents, Place/Date of Death, Time of Death
• Beginning in 1938, the records may also include a Cause of Death and cross references to corresponding birth and/or marriage registers
• Signatures

More about using this collection

Each record comprises one page. Additional events from the life of the deceased 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 be found via the search form. The “Informant” was usually a relative of the deceased. In later years death information was often submitted by hospital administrators. These records also document casualties (Kriegssterbefälle) from the Second World War. Under "Browse this collection,” select the Civil Registration Office and Year Range of the register desired. Name directories for Prenzlau proper can be found at the beginning of each year range or volume.