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Letters in German

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ProfilePosted byOptionsPost Date

McDitzy

McDitzy Report 15 Aug 2004 16:22

I am considering writing to a church in Germany and would like some advice on what to say. I'm looking for the baptism of Heinrich Spengler in Sobernheim after October 1895. Do I need to send one of those intervational stamp things?? Chloe

Janet 693215

Janet 693215 Report 15 Aug 2004 16:38

Probably best if you just send an International Reply Coupon (IRC) as you don't want to put them to any inconvenience and of course they'll feel duty bound to reply!

McDitzy

McDitzy Report 15 Aug 2004 16:40

How much do you put on those coupons??

Mary

Mary Report 15 Aug 2004 17:22

Hi there, International Reply Coupons are purchased from the post office. It is usual to send two of these so that the person you are writing to has enough money to send a reply. If it was in this country, you would just send a stamped and addressed envelope but you cannot purchase foreign stamps here. Mary

Alison

Alison Report 15 Aug 2004 22:50

A standard letter to England from Germany costs 0,55 Euro (up to 20 grams) or 1 Euro (up to 50 grams). I'm not sure what the exchange rate is but 1 Euro used to be about 70 pence. Alison in Germany

Sylvia

Sylvia Report 16 Aug 2004 12:09

You probably won't get very far with a church in Germany, as they are not the main legal registry as they are here. You mayhave more luck by writing to the local Registy office in the town that you are looking for - it's called a Standesamt, and its where all births, marriages and deaths are held. Church marriages are not legaly bbiding in Germany, so it may well be the same for christenings. Do an internet search just for the town that you are looking for and the word Standesamt, and it should point you in the right direction.

Caz

Caz Report 16 Aug 2004 12:39

Hi Chloe I agree with Sylvia - though I don't know if you need to know the exact date of the event. Would like to know the answer to this myself. Anyway, I have a request form for a birth certificate in German which the German embassy sent me if that makes life any easier. Contact me direct if you want a copy. I've just been to visit my German gran's place of birth - miming 'Where is the cemetary?' was quite a challenge, but I got there. Carole