Ohio PalAm German Fall Seminar-

ZOOM ONLY

 

Saturday, October 25, 2025, 9:15 am to 4:30 pm Eastern

German Farm Families and Histories, and Bavarian History and Resources

Gail Shaffer Blankenau – Our morning speaker

 Gail Shaffer Blankenau is a professional genealogist, historian, speaker, and author. She holds an MA degree in history from the University of Nebraska–Kearney, and in 2023, she received the James L. Sellers prize for her article about the Grayson sisters in a volume of Nebraska History magazine.

German Farm Histories and Family Histories

For many with Germanic heritage, the history of the farm is the history of the family. Learn about farm histories, what they are, and what might be in them.

Synopsis of Finding Your Roots in German Farm Histories

Until the early 1900s, most of the population in the Germanic states was engaged in agriculture. Thus, many of us with Germanic heritage will have some ancestors involved in farming. German farm customs differed significantly from those in America, and Germans were tied to the land in ways that American farmers were not. Particularly in the earlier years, the history of your family’s farm was integral to your family history.

 

We will explore what farm histories are, how to use them, and what kinds of records are used to construct them. We will also discuss the importance of the farm in German rural and village life and how farming differed from what we know here in the United States. In the Germanic states, farms and farmers were part of a hierarchical social structure, and understanding how our ancestors fit into these structures can help us to flesh out important details in our genealogy. We will also discuss resources, websites, and keywords to help in locating farm histories. Two case studies will show how research progressed from American research records “back to the farm” in Germany.

 

Power Combination: Using German Farm Histories with German Church Records

German church books have been called the gold standard of German genealogy, and rightly so.

Every genealogist exploring Germanic roots will utilize them. But when you add in the kind of

information found in German farm histories, you will have a powerful combination of

information and context that will help you better to understand your German heritage.

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Maximilian Riedel – Our afternoon speaker

Since 2007, he has had a passion for genealogy and has been helping clients from all over Europe, North America, and Australia. His own roots are located in Bavaria, Bohemia, Silesia, and Greater Poland (Prussia). He speaks and can translate German, English, Latin, Polish, and old German script.  Occasionally, he does research for PBS “Finding Your Roots”.

 

  The History of Bavaria.  

We are pleased to invite you to a fascinating lecture on the History of Bavaria, the homeland of many of your ancestors. This event offers a unique opportunity to explore the rich history of this iconic region and uncover the events and influences that shaped the lives of those who once called it home.

During the lecture, you will:

• Learn about the changing borders of Bavaria throughout history and which areas were part of it at different times.
• Discover significant historical events that led to waves of emigration, affecting families and communities in Bavaria.
• Gain a deeper understanding of how the political, social, and cultural landscape of Bavaria influenced the lives of your ancestors and their decisions to seek new horizons.

Whether your roots are deeply intertwined with Bavaria or you’re simply curious about the historical context behind your family’s migration, this lecture promises to offer valuable insights and connections to your genealogical research.

 

Online available resources as well as research strategies for finding ancestors in Bavaria.       

 

This lecture will guide you through the genealogical treasures available in Bavarian archives. We will explore which types of records can be found in the region’s archives, including vital records, church registers, land records, and more. Learn about the key institutions preserving these historical documents and how you can access them online.

Key topics include:

• Overview of Bavarian genealogical records and their historical significance
• A detailed look at archives in Bavaria and what types of records they hold (e.g., civil registration, parish registers, military records, etc.)
• A guide to online portals and databases that provide digital access to Bavarian genealogical documents
• Practical research strategies and tips for finding your Bavarian ancestors, including how to efficiently search online resources, overcome common challenges, and navigate regional variations in records
• Expert advice on how to verify findings and cross-reference sources to build an accurate family history

Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced researcher, this session will provide valuable tools and insights to further your genealogical journey into Bavaria’s rich history.

Seminar Information

 

Seminar Information

This seminar will be offered via Zoom only. All registered participants will also have access to the recordings for 30 days after the event.

Registration & Payment:
Use the button below to access our Square payment page, where you may pay securely by credit card.

• Fee: $50 per registrant

• Preferred registration deadline: October 24, 2025

If you do not want to pay via Credit Card on Square, email Jill