Introduction
This book provides an introduction for researchers who have not previously worked with German records, and it highlights some exellent sources for researchers who have become excited by genealogy in the United States but have "cold feet" about researching in Germany. It is assumed that researchers have identified a location in Germany and are eager to begin working in German records. Before initiating research in German records, researchers who have only general information about their ancestors' place of origin should dig deeper to discover where in Germany their ancestors settled. This knowledge will prevent the disappointment of failing to find an ancestor and will ensure that research in German sources will proceed from a solid base.