Ute Brandenburg
Research and Mentoring with German and DNA Specialty
German Script Experts; German Genealogy Headquarters
Owner
Iowa City
United States
Currently accepting clients for...
- DNA
- Family History Research
- Speaking / Presenting
Family History Research
- DNA
- Family History Research
- Tutor / Coach
DNA
- Adoption / Unknown Parentage
Speaking/Presenting
- DNA
- Family History Research
- Methodology & Resources
- Available for in-person events
- Available for virtual events
Writing/Publishing
- Tutor / Coach
Other Speciality
- Document Translation
- Event / Reunion / Travel Planning
- Handwriting / Palaeography
Ute Brandenburg is a bilingual German American, born in the US and educated in Germany. As a researcher, she combines her thorough understanding of German history, geography, and culture with a broad knowledge of US immigration history and sources.
Ute has a fascination with old documents. One of her favorite experiences as a researcher is to work with original records at German and Polish archives. She enjoys and excels at reading handwriting from five centuries.
In recent years, Ute has had remarkable success in using DNA to solve German origin questions as well as cases of unknown paternity in Germany. She lectures to international audiences on this topic.
In collaboration with Ursula C. Krause, she presents seminars at German Genealogy Headquarters, the go-to place for German genealogy education and mentoring.
Ute has a fascination with old documents. One of her favorite experiences as a researcher is to work with original records at German and Polish archives. She enjoys and excels at reading handwriting from five centuries.
In recent years, Ute has had remarkable success in using DNA to solve German origin questions as well as cases of unknown paternity in Germany. She lectures to international audiences on this topic.
In collaboration with Ursula C. Krause, she presents seminars at German Genealogy Headquarters, the go-to place for German genealogy education and mentoring.
Testimonials
Ute! Putting together my family story has been a highlight of my life. I couldn’t have done this without your expert genealogy research, your expertise in old German script, and your guidance in making a few of my own queries. You confirmed my great-great grandfathers management of the Circus Renz. You found that he had actually stepped into the lions cage in the event of the death of the lion-tamer due to pneumonia! The show must go on! You found the conversion of my ancestors from Judaism to Lutheranism in the 1870s. You found that I had a scoundrel great-great-great grandfather, “Whereabouts unknown”, who left his wife and family because of debt. But! You found him married with a whole new family in England there after!
You have reached out to your vast network of friends and fellow genealogists to help me. You have found addresses of homes in Berlin and Bracht that still stand today. It is my hope to visit these places within the next year. Working with you, Ute, has been a fun and exciting journey. Thank you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Sincerely, Becky H.
Ute! Putting together my family story has been a highlight of my life. I couldn’t have done this without your expert genealogy research, your expertise in old German script, and your guidance in making a few of my own queries. You confirmed my great-great grandfathers management of the Circus Renz. You found that he had actually stepped into the lions cage in the event of the death of the lion-tamer due to pneumonia! The show must go on! You found the conversion of my ancestors from Judaism to Lutheranism in the 1870s. You found that I had a scoundrel great-great-great grandfather, “Whereabouts unknown”, who left his wife and family because of debt. But! You found him married with a whole new family in England there after!
You have reached out to your vast network of friends and fellow genealogists to help me. You have found addresses of homes in Berlin and Bracht that still stand today. It is my hope to visit these places within the next year. Working with you, Ute, has been a fun and exciting journey. Thank you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Sincerely, Becky H.
Additional specialities or search keywords
German History
German History
Lectures
Resources and Methods: 1. The Emperor's New Code - German Records under Napoleon's Rule, 2. Genealogy of East and West Prussia, 3. Locating Civil Registration Records in the Former German Provinces Now in Poland, 4. Hidden Gems in German and Polish Archives, 5. The Status Designation in Church Records - A Mirror of Local Society
Cutting Edge DNA-Guided Case Studies: 1. Finding Volker's Father - A DNA Case Study, 2. Escape and Return in Jewish Vienna - A DNA Case Study
Social History: 1.The Status Designation in Church Records - A Mirror of Local Society, 2. Eva Gutmann: A Life of Courage and Despair - The Story of a Young Unwed Mother
Travel: German Heritage Travel - The Insider's Playbook
Beginner: Dodging Brick Walls - German Research Basics!
Resources and Methods: 1. The Emperor's New Code - German Records under Napoleon's Rule, 2. Genealogy of East and West Prussia, 3. Locating Civil Registration Records in the Former German Provinces Now in Poland, 4. Hidden Gems in German and Polish Archives, 5. The Status Designation in Church Records - A Mirror of Local Society
Cutting Edge DNA-Guided Case Studies: 1. Finding Volker's Father - A DNA Case Study, 2. Escape and Return in Jewish Vienna - A DNA Case Study
Social History: 1.The Status Designation in Church Records - A Mirror of Local Society, 2. Eva Gutmann: A Life of Courage and Despair - The Story of a Young Unwed Mother
Travel: German Heritage Travel - The Insider's Playbook
Beginner: Dodging Brick Walls - German Research Basics!
Repositories
I work with any archive in Germany and Poland to order records, and typically visit Germany or Poland for archival research annually.
I work with any archive in Germany and Poland to order records, and typically visit Germany or Poland for archival research annually.
Research Time Periods
- 20th Century
- 19th Century
- 18th Century
- 17th Century
Languages
German, German Dialects, German Script, Latin
German, German Dialects, German Script, Latin
Affiliations
1. Arbeitsgemeinschaft Ostdeutscher Familienforscher, 2. Gesellschaft für Familienforschung in Franken, 3. The Society for German Genealogy in Eastern Europe
1. Arbeitsgemeinschaft Ostdeutscher Familienforscher, 2. Gesellschaft für Familienforschung in Franken, 3. The Society for German Genealogy in Eastern Europe
Degrees
BA (Education)
BA (Education)