Search the Records
Search for a name, place name, or other keyword. The search function accepts a surname only (ex. Adams), as well as full names (ex. Ira Adams). Search results will include all instances in which the search term appears in any field in the database.
When selecting an individual name from the search results list, the resulting report presents a composite record of all the St. Matthew’s events (birth, baptism, confirmation, marriage, death) recorded for the individual.
Tips for searching
Names have been entered as they appear in the handwritten registers. To account for inconsistencies:
- Repeat your search with a variety of spellings.
Bulwinkle/Bulwinkel/Bullwinkle/Bulwinkel. - Repeat your search with the umlaut, if applicable, as well as with the umlauted vowel replaced by the vowel + e (ae, oe, ue).
Over time—or by choice—changes occurred in the spelling of surnames, particularly in those with umlauted vowels (a,o,u), for example, Döscher > Doscher, Müller > Mueller, Pfähler > Pfaehler, Bösch > Boesch. - If your search includes a first name, use just the first three or four letters.
Christian names are frequently abbreviated in the registers, for example, “Marg.” [Margarethe], “Henr.” [Henriette], “Joh.” [Johann], “Wilh.” [Wilhelm].
For more information, see the Guide for Users.