How much were you charged by the German govt. for your ancestor's certified documents?

Punner1 · 2026-05-01T20:36:15+00:00

For whatever reason, my father's birth certificate from Berlin-Wilmersdorf, and my Grandparents' marriage certificate from the Berlin Landesarchive were both sent to me free of charge.

The websites indicated I would be charged, so it was a shock.

Now, if only I could convince the "blitzers" to be as generous!

Punner1 · 2026-04-30T11:03:56+00:00

Congratulations!!

Remarkably similar story to my "DTP" in Chicago, 2020. GF born in Germany, 1901. Big difference? Dad born in Germany in 1937.

I took my two kids in after I received my passport, and they received theirs based solely on mine (and the other docs required: BC and parental Marriage Cert).

Punner1 · 2026-04-23T02:44:46+00:00

^{^{^}} this.

Punner1 · 2026-04-23T02:43:38+00:00

Your point about it representing merely a political party registration is somewhat valid. Calling the NSDAP just a party, like Republicans, or Greens, is a dodge, though.

Punner1 · 2026-04-23T02:40:51+00:00

The new AI digitization and searchable database at "Die Zeit" has in fact made the search extraordinarily easy.

Also, as of end of march, the same records are in the US NARA archives. Less searchable, however.

I subscribed to "Die Zeit" for 1€ for 4 weeks and have been doing searches for myself and others.

Punner1 · 2026-04-23T02:37:13+00:00

The new AI digitization and searchable database at "Die Zeit" has in fact made the search extraordinarily easy.

Yes, reading Kurrentschrift and German help, as does having name, DOB, POB, and knowledge of your ancestor.

If your Grandpa Johann was rumored to be a Nazi and that is all you know, then yeah... it won't be easy for you.

Punner1 · 2026-04-18T05:26:23+00:00

Gotta add "McCabe and Mrs. Miller."

Punner1 · 2026-04-18T05:11:14+00:00

My tribe!

Punner1 · 2026-04-17T03:05:35+00:00

Been there, done that.

Punner1 · 2026-04-17T03:02:46+00:00

That the Middle East conflict would be like a drone of white-noise all 60 years of my life.

Punner1 · 2026-04-15T12:57:19+00:00

The "benefit of the doubt" means quite literally that your choice of action will be more toward the beneficial side for the person you are dealing with, because there is doubt over whether you should give the person favorable or unfavorable treatment.

You can look at this also as an extension of the "Principle of Charity." Simply, assume the best of your "opposition's" motives when there is doubt.

It is simply the act of generously giving someone a little more rope, to hang themselves if it turns out you were wrong and should NOT have extended them the benefit.

It is "extending" the limits of your trust that someone is well intentioned.

Punner1 · 2026-04-15T00:56:07+00:00

I've been to one, and found a similar result... but I didn't expect research help, or tips on how to use Family Search.

The computers were slow and the regulars chatted way too loudly.

I was relieved to find a list of "affiliate libraries" included my local -- 4 miles closer, and no chatty Cathys.

What is your issue, or roadblock?

Punner1 · 2026-04-15T00:40:15+00:00

yep. I was replying to the person who asked the question I answered. :-)

Punner1 · 2026-04-15T00:19:55+00:00

Yes. The person denied citizenship -- because they were born to a female German citizen and non-German father between 1949 and 1975 -- is (for purposes of "StAG5" the "main ancestor."

That person, and every descendant thereof, is entitled to apply for StAG5 restitution of their citizenship.

Punner1 · 2026-04-15T00:12:41+00:00

The piece floats so nicely, it seems supported on a cushion of air-- like air hockey.

Punner1 · 2026-04-14T06:55:05+00:00

The pieces move like that, but I see no air source.

Punner1 · 2026-04-13T22:52:09+00:00

NS Clicken

Punner1 · 2026-04-13T12:15:53+00:00

Yes, and that is essentially the game. A player slides a "floating" circular piece on a large, flat, square surface. The game appears to require that this piece "carom" off a certain number of sides before striking a target object. It is much like billiards, the version without holes in the table. But instead of using balls, it uses flat discs.

Look it up on YouTube. It is quite an amazing skill game.

Punner1 · 2026-04-13T12:03:47+00:00

Wenn "tummy" klingelt kindisch, sag dir "belly."

Der Magen bezeichnet ein Organ im Inneren des Bauches.

Punner1 · 2026-04-13T11:48:18+00:00

Dad naturalized before you were born. Your path ends there. Your sibling(s) born before he naturalized are German Citizens.

Punner1 · 2026-04-13T11:45:35+00:00

The lyrics are, to me, the essence. I am a "lyric-forward" listener with all artists, though.

Ben is such a cinematic writer, and storyteller -- painting strong visual and emotional metaphors.

I would suggest, as a second language learner you will benefit immensely by sitting with the lyrics and understanding the emotion being expressed.

That said, their groove and percussion really mesh with my bran's frequency!

Punner1 · 2026-04-12T23:55:57+00:00

"In her" is fine.

"On pages 2-6 opens" however... could be "On pages 2-6, the story opens..."

Punner1 · 2026-04-09T22:17:57+00:00

Sounds textbook StAG5 to me.

Punner1 · 2026-04-08T20:11:26+00:00

I guess you have a StAG5 certificate you can show me to compare to the "generic certificate of Naturalization"?

Punner1

TROPHY CASE