Recently I sought information from the German Embassy about how to address a letter to West Germany to seek family ancestral information. The following is the printed response that I got from them in Feb, 1988. This office cannot assist individuals in tracing their ancestors in Germany. Before you start to correspond with genealogical societies and offices abroad, you should first check with the nearest local genealogical society and library.
Many libraries maintain good genealogical archives and records.
These records may be obtained from the registrar's office in Germany, where the birth, marriage or death was reported. If the central office cannot answer your questions it will forward your inquiry to the appropriate local office. To ensure that the response to your letters will be sent via Air Mail, it is suggested that you enclose at least two international reply coupons, which can be purchased at any US Post Office. Please always write clearly, print, or use a typewriter, and give all information and data available.