BANAT-L Archives

From: Richard Lannert< >
Subject: [BANAT-L] manumission records
Date: Fri, 5 Feb 1999 14:47:05 -0600 (CST)

For list members seeking the German origins of their Banat ancestors,
one source might be the manumissions records. I am not an expert, but I
have learned, through various contacts and a little reading, that most
18th century peasants of German states were in the service of a prince
or noble from whom their freedom had to be purchased before they were
permitted to migrate. Records of those who paid these manumissions fees
have been filmed by the LDS and are available for rental through the
FHL.

If your German name is not too common, you can search the German
telephone book to determine the area in which the largest concentration
of those of your surname contemporaneously reside. (Chances are
the same family has been concentrated in the area for centuries.) Then
go to a FHL and search the locality file for records of the same area.
With any luck, you will find a book or other form of record showing all
those from that state who paid manumissions fees, and the dates and
destinations of the migrants will be available, as well. I found such a
book in the FHL catalogue for 18h century migrants to SE Europe from
Hesse, and I have been told that there are similar records for other
German states.

Those who know the history of Germany and the FHL resources better than
I may wish (please!) to elaborate on this. I did not see in the list
archives any reference to manumissions records as a potential research
tool, so I thought I'd mention it, in case anyone wants to work from
both ends (Banat and Germany) towards the middle.

Mrs. Lannert

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