Marriage records are also valuable sources of information. Secular society and religious groups have long recognized the right and obligation to provide structure to the right to marry. Before a marriage is celebrated, it must be evident to the civil and religious authorities that the parties can marry. The primary concern is that incestuous marriages do not occur, although religious groups erected other impediments to marriage as well. Mixed marriages between parties of different faiths were often frowned upon, as were unions between persons of faith and nonbelievers.
Death records are most useful for pinpointing a date of death and place of burial.
Generally, they do not contain much additional information, although a cause of death and list of family members may be provided. The following is a list of common German and Latin words for church and sacramental records, with the English translation. All Rights Reserved.