Webinar Exclusive: Save $100!
Discount Expires March 26 at 5:00 PM
Your Detailed Roadmap to Tracing Your German Ancestors.
You started this journey expecting to uncover amazing family stories—only to find yourself stuck in unreadable records, missing towns, and endless searches that lead nowhere.
The name is written in an old script you can barely decipher.
The location listed? It doesn’t even exist on a modern map.
And as for records, where do you even start?
German genealogy starts as an exciting journey - until you hit a roadblock.
That’s when frustration sets in...
The town name in the records doesn’t match any modern maps.
The handwriting looks impossible to read!
Your ancestor’s name is spelled five different ways (and is it even the same person!?)
You need a birth record but have no idea where to find it.
So you search. And search. And search.
You spend hours trying to decipher the script, jumping between online guides and forums, and then posting in Facebook groups hoping someone else can figure it out.
You do find a promising document...only to realize it’s in German, with no translation available.
You check one more website… then another… until you finally close your laptop in frustration. Is it even worth it?
The Hidden Challenges of German Genealogy
The problem isn’t that your ancestors’ records don’t exist. The problem is knowing where to look, and how to read those records once you do find them.
German records aren’t in one place. They’re scattered across specific databases, churches, registry offices, and archives, depending on what you're looking for.
Germany’s borders changed constantly. The town you’re searching for may no longer be in Germany at all - so where do you go to look?
Handwriting isn’t just difficult, it’s a completely different script! Even most native German-speakers can't read this script today.
Spelling wasn’t standardized. Your ancestor’s name may be spelled differently in every record. So how do you recognize it?
If you’ve ever felt like German genealogy is just too hard, you’re not alone.
Because if you don't know where to look:
You waste hours piecing together unreliable information.
You second-guess every record, unsure if it even belongs to your own ancestor.
You get excited when you find a document—only to realize you can’t read it.
You give up on an entire branch of your family tree simply because the research feels impossible.
But what if you had a clear, expert-led approach to guide you through every step?
Genealogy shouldn't be frustrating -
it should be exciting and fun.
I'm here to tell you that there's a better way to research your German ancestors.
And you don’t need to be fluent in German, a history expert, or a handwriting specialist to uncover your ancestors’ stories.
You just need the right tools, guidance, and practice to move forward with your research.
This isn’t just about where to look. It’s about:
✔ Researching efficiently and avoiding wasted hours on dead ends.
✔ Recognizing key patterns in names, locations, and records.
✔ Confidently tracing your ancestors’ history even when details seem unclear.
The Complete Guide to German Genealogy is a step-by-step roadmap
for aspiring genealogists ready to trace their German roots.
This self-paced, step-by-step course will give you the skills, tools, and resources to:
✔ Find your ancestor’s hometown, even if the town name has changed.
✔ Recognize your ancestor’s name, even when spellings vary.
✔ Locate records in Europe - church records, vital records, and so much more.
✔ Confidently trace your family history even when records haven't been digitized.
No more struggling with unreadable records. No more endless searches leading nowhere.
The Complete Guide to German Genealogy will make your research easier and more efficient.
And did we mention it's fun? Because it is!
Stop Hitting Roadblocks.
Your ancestors' stories are waiting to be discovered.
Start making real progress today. No more spinning your wheels, no more wondering if you’re even looking in the right place. With a clear, expert-led path, you’ll finally know what to do next.
Easily navigate German records, even without prior experience. Learn to recognize key words, phrases, and patterns to confidently decipher historical documents and uncover family details.
Apply what you learn with real research challenges. Expert-created activities and exercises ensure you turn knowledge into discoveries, making tangible progress with real-life practice instead of just taking notes.
Stop wasting hours searching in the wrong places. Printable handouts and resource lists point you to the best archives and tools, so you know exactly where to look for your ancestors.
Stay engaged and build your skills. Interactive flashcards, quizzes, and games help you quickly recognize key German terms and handwriting styles.
Celebrate your progress with a certificate of completion. Whether for personal achievement, professional growth, or family sharing, you’ll have proof of your expertise in German genealogy.
Here’s a look at just some of the topics covered inside
The Complete Guide to German Genealogy:
01. How to Find Your German Hometown
02. Understanding German History & Border Changes
03. German Handwriting and Language Tools
04. Where to Find Records in Europe
05. Accessing More Obscure German Records
06. German Naming Practices & Spelling Variations
07. German Emigration and Resources
And so
many more lessons!
Video Lessons
Learn expert research techniques with clear, easy-to-follow tutorials.
Genealogy Challenges
Apply what you learn with hands-on exercises and real-world research tasks.
Vocabulary Lists & Handwriting Guides
Recognize key words and phrases so you can confidently read historical records.
Printable Handouts & Resource Lists
Get quick access to the best genealogy tools, websites, and archives.
Interactive Flashcards, Quizzes & Games
Reinforce your learning in a fun, engaging way.
Certificate of Completion
Showcase your expertise and celebrate your progress!
After you watch the video lessons, you’ll have research challenges to fulfill:
Go to FamilySearch. Find the hometown of "your ancestor" Mary Katherine Voss, born 5 November 1868, who moved to St. Louis, Missouri later in her life.
The hometown on your ancestor's passenger list reads "Rasenheim, Germany." Go to Meyers Gazetteer and use the "sounds like" feature. What town do you think is meant?
Go to the Matricula website. Find the baptismal record for Sophia Schneeweiss, born in Linz in 1858.
Go to Compgen.de. Find the Ortssippenbuch (Family Heritage Book) for the town of Bremen. What is the first surname listed?
These research challenges will give you the skills you need to find your German ancestors all by yourself.
You can test your new knowledge with interactive flashcards...
With Immediate Graded Results to See How You’re Doing!
And take quizzes to see how far you’ve come...
Which German state became very powerful in the 1800s?
When did vital records begin to be kept in all of Germany?
What website should you use to find the name of a German hometown that is now in Poland or Russia?
Which two languages would you need to work with if your ancestors are from Alsace-Lorraine?
Once you’ve finished, you’ll get a certificate to show the world all your hard work - not to mention the ability to find your German ancestors all by yourself!
The Complete Guide to German Genealogy is the exact roadmap you need to find
your German ancestors - let us make your journey easier!
The Complete Guide to German Genealogy (Value: $497)
BONUS: Vocabulary Article Package (Value: $25)
BONUS: German Names Article Package (Value: $25)
BONUS: Emigration Article Package (Value: $25)
Webinar Special: Save $100 Today! (no coupon needed)
New lessons will be released weekly, so you can learn step by step without any overwhelm. Plus, you’ll have lifetime access to revisit anytime.
Normal Price: $497 or 6 Monthly Payments of $85
✔ Webinar Special – Save $100 Today!
Today's Price: $397 or 6 Monthly Payments of Only $69
Act Now to Save $100 —
Discount Expires March 26 at 5:00 PM!
"I am able to decipher more of the letters from the late 1800s to 1930 or so, and my world has expanded to understand the daily lives of my relatives, their hopes, and fears. It allows me to stand tall knowing where my roots come from. Thanks to Katherine Schober for creating this amazing online class."
Christianne R.
Receive instant access to our most popular German genealogy resources when you enroll by March 26th at 5:00 PM!
Bonus: Essential Article Packages for Deciphering German Records (Value: $75)
Gain instant access to over 60 pages of expert genealogy insights, curated from premium resources to help you decode German records with ease. These downloadable, printable guides cover everything from must-know German words and naming practices to emigration research, giving you the must-know vocabulary, research strategies, and name variations that will take your genealogy skills to the next level.
Vocabulary Article Set (Value: $25)
Birth and Baptismal Records: Must-Know Vocabulary (Premium)
The Ultimate Guide to Marriage Record Vocabulary (Premium)
How Did My Ancestor Die? 15 Common Causes of Death in German Genealogy
10 Tips to Know About Names in German Genealogy (Premium)
6 German Words to Verify Your Transcriptions on Google (Premium)
BONUS: German Military Record Vocabulary
BONUS: German Church Record Vocabulary
German Names Article Set (Value: $25)
What’s in a Name? Patronymic Suffixes in German Last Names (Premium)
5 Websites to Verify Last Names in Genealogy (Premium)
The Hidden Secrets of Geogen: The Top Surname Locator Website (Premium)
10 Tips to Know About Names in German Genealogy (Premium)
10 Descriptive Words for Parents in German Vital Records
9 Old-Fashioned Spelling Patterns in German Genealogy
BONUS: 10 Tips for Understanding German Names in Genealogy
Emigration Article Set (Value: $25)
Why You Should Be Using German Emigration Records in Your Research (Premium)
Auswanderungsakten: How an Emigration Record Got Me Across the Pond!
Before You Cross the Pond: 5 Places to Find Your Ancestor in America
Can’t Read That Town Name? How Google Can Help (Premium)
7 Genealogy Hacks for Verifying Your Ancestor’s Hometown (Premium)
9 Books on German History for Genealogists
Total Bonus Value: $75—yours free when you enroll before March 26th at 5:00 PM!
"I took both the German for Genealogists and German Handwriting courses. These courses have helped me so much in understanding how to read church records and I have successfully translated many of my German ancestor's records as a result. I feel like I know so much more about my ancestors because of what I learned from you. Thank you for your continued help and support in the upcoming immersion class. I'm looking forward to it!"
Carole Batterman-West
I took Reading the Old German Handwriting and found it to be a fun and well-organized course, covering not only Kurrentschrift handwriting recognition but also a wealth of information on common content and structure of genealogical records and on frequently encountered words in these records. Katherine's teaching style is clear and engaging, and I love the fact that I could complete the course at my own pace and can return to it as many times as I need to for a refresher! Once I tracked my great-great-grandfather to the right town in modern-day Romania, I found a treasure trove of German-language records and have uncovered additional generations and unknown family members! I don't know how I would have been able to decipher all of those records without the help of this course and the other Germanology Unlocked resources. I would highly recommend the course to anyone whose genealogy journey leads them into the world of German-language records."
Olivia Basha
I first encountered Katherine Schober at the Virtual IGGP Seminar. She was one of the best speakers I have ever encountered as she took her time, moved through her presentation, loved answering questions and looked for feedback. After a webinar a few months later, she offered special pricing on 2 courses, German for Genealogists and Reading the Old German Handwriting. I was extremely interested, but what really clinched it was when she said there were flash cards, matching games, etc. throughout the entire courses. I was in and boy oh boy did I get a SMOKING DEAL! These 2 courses are absolutely AMAZING and really put my brain to work. You get to pace yourself, have a study buddy if you want, review, review, review and have lifetime access. Katherine was also available for any questions. Katherine put together an amazing group of courses and I can't wait until her next course! Both courses have multiple modules and lots of practice and testing to be sure you get it. All I can tell you is this will be an OUTSTANDING investment of your GENEALOGY DOLLARS AND TIME!
Vicki Hilb
The Germanology Unlocked Guarantee
We stand by The Complete Guide to German Genealogy because we know it works. Our students have used these exact methods to break through research roadblocks, decipher old German records, and finally piece together their family histories.
But we also know that investing in a course can feel like a big decision.
If you go through the lessons, practice the research challenges, and don’t feel more confident in finding your ancestors in 14 days, we’ll refund you. We stand behind this course 100%.
You’ve got nothing to lose—and so many discoveries to gain. We hope you'll join our community of German genealogy enthusiasts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Katherine Schober
Katherine Schober is German-English genealogy translator, author, and dedicated educator. As the founder of Germanology Unlocked, she brings over a decade of professional experience to her mission of helping individuals uncover and preserve their German family stories.
Katherine specializes in deciphering old German handwriting, offering a range of services that include expert translations, engaging webinars, and in-depth classes and workshops. Her expertise has made her a sought-after speaker at major national genealogy conferences such as RootsTech, the International German Genealogy Partnership Conference, National Genealogical Society, and more.
Her contributions to the field have been featured on the History Channel and PBS’ “Finding Your Roots”.
Join Katherine on this exciting and fun journey to connect with your past and discover the rich stories of your ancestors.
These special bonuses and discounts are only available for a short time.
The Complete Guide to German Genealogy (Value: $497)
BONUS: Vocabulary Article Package (Value: $25)
BONUS: German Names Article Package (Value: $25)
BONUS: Emigration Article Package (Value: $25)
Webinar Special: Save $100 Today! (no coupon needed)
Normal Price: $497 or 6 Monthly Payments of $85
Today's Price: $397 or 6 Monthly Payments of Only $69
Save $100 and secure your bonuses — enroll by March 26 at 5:00 PM!
Click below to get Instant Access to your bonuses and start your German genealogy journey today.
"I had taken some webinar and in-person courses in reading old German handwriting; however, Katherine Schober's course on Reading the Old German Handwriting really escalated my skill level. Her video lectures, followed by practice games and exams, make the learning easy and fun. She offers a lot of helpful tips and provides downloadable handouts to keep for future reference. Even before I finished the course, I was able to go back to old church records that were previously just a lot of gibberish, and I was able to read and understand what was written. This course is well worth the investment of time and money. I look forward to extending my family history research further into Germany!"
Mary Lou Inwood
You can spend hours piecing together free resources, scouring blogs, and watching YouTube videos, hoping you’re on the right track...
But ultimately, you’ll waste your valuable time, hit frustrating dead ends, and still wonder if you’re missing out on something. And nobody wants that.
Or you can follow a proven, step-by-step guide created by Katherine Schober, a German-English genealogy translator and educator known for her amazing teaching skills.
This online course provides everything you need in one place, so you can stop guessing and start finding the real answers you seek.
This isn’t just another generic genealogy course, it’s the only program designed specifically for German genealogy challenges, from border changes and name variations to locating those hard-to-find records.
If you’re serious about uncovering your family’s past, The Complete Guide to German Genealogy is the course you’ve been waiting for.
Your ancestors' stories are waiting - let’s uncover them together.