Ostprignitz-Ruppin, Germany, Marriages, 1874-1935

About this collection

This collection contains marriage records from the modern administrative district of Ostprignitz-Ruppin and covers the years 1874 up to and including 1935. The district of Ostprignitz-Ruppin is located in the northwestern portion of the state of Brandenburg, Germany, and was created as part of the Brandenburg district reform of 1993. Recreational tourism figures significantly in its economy. During the time period of this collection, the area fell within the Prussian Province of Brandenburg. The district entails 66 communities including the cities of Kyritz, Lindow, Neuruppin, Neustadt (Dosse), Rheinsberg and Wittstock/Dosse.

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 most of the communities included in the collection, corresponding alphabetical directories of names were also 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, Age, Birthdate and Birthplace, Residence/Address as well as details about his Parents and their Place of residence
• Bride: Occupation, Given Names, Last Name, Maiden Name, Denomination, Age, Birthdate and Birthplace, Residence/Address as well as details about her Parents and their Place of Residence
• Witnesses
• Signatures

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 for the desired records.