John Blankenbaker's Germanna History Notes
Note 1341
Shirley Riemer, one of the authors of "
Researching in Germany
", is associated with the Sacramento German Genealogy Society. She describes the German Handshake Packet which the Society offers to its members. You could do the same thing.
The Packet consists of several items helpful in communicating with the German-speaking officials encountered in libraries, archives, and municipal offices, as well as help in communicating with others who may have information to offer. The Packet consists of:
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Letter 1:
Written in German on the Society's official letterhead, embossed with its official seal, and signed by the Society's president, it introduces the traveler by name as a valued member of the Sacramento German Genealogy Society and states that, although the bearer of the letter does not speak German, he or she is researching his or her German ancestry during the trip abroad. It also states that the Society will appreciate any consideration the reader of the letter shows on behalf of the traveler. The traveler carries one copy of this letter to each of the archives and libraries visited.
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Letter 2:
This letter, also written in German, is headed with the traveler's own home address and carries the traveler's signature. It explains that the bearer of the letter does not speak German, but that the traveler's purpose in making the journey is to conduct research concerning one or more German ancestors. It states that attachments to this letter provide whatever information from vital records the traveler has learned concerning the immigrant. The letter asks for the reader's suggestion for further research of the named ancestor and thanks the reader for any help given. Both letters, this one, and Letter 1 above, are written in formal, polite German by a qualified native speaker of German. The traveler carries about ten copies of this letter to be used as needed.
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Attachments:
A set of attachments to Letter 2 consists of the major data thus far known about the ancestor being researched. Written entirely in German, this information sheet gives the name, birth date, birth place, residence, year of emigration, and place of residence in the United States (in so far as the information is known) for the emigrant and for the emigrant's father and mother (as applicable). Attachments for more than one emigrant (each including the emigrant's parents) may be prepared at additional cost.
Anyone can purchase this material from the Sacrament German Genealogy Society, see the next note.
(23 Jan 02)