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Church Books from Saxony-Anhalt & the Historic Province of Saxony - What’s Online Now – and What’s Coming Next (as of May 2025)
If your ancestors came from Saxony-Anhalt, Thuringia, Brandenburg, or the historic Province of Saxony, this update will help you access the digitized parish registers you need. Many towns and villages in these regions were once part of the Kingdom of Saxony or the Prussian Province of Saxony—and their Protestant church books are essential for genealogical research.
Where to Find Church Records from Saxony-Anhalt and Thuringia?
Today, these records fall under the care of the Evangelical Church in Central Germany (Evangelische Kirche in Mitteldeutschland, or EKM). Thanks to ongoing digitization efforts, more and more of these church books are becoming accessible online via Archion.de.
Here’s a quick overview of the current state of digital availability:
Which Archive Holds Which Church Books? (Magdeburg vs. Eisenach)
The historical church records of the Evangelical Church in Central Germany (EKM) are preserved in two regional archives. Their responsibilities are based on the historical structure of former church provinces—not current federal state borders.
• Church Archive of Magdeburg (Landeskirchenarchiv Magdeburg)
Responsible for the records of the former Evangelical Church of the Church Province of Saxony. This territory included most of today’s Saxony-Anhalt (excluding the former Duchy of Anhalt), large parts of Thuringia, and small areas of what is now Brandenburg and Saxony.
➤ This archive holds the records for places such as Magdeburg, Naumburg-Zeitz, Halle-Saalkreis, Sömmerda, and Erfurt, if they historically belonged to the Prussian Province of Saxony.
• Church Archive of Eisenach (Landeskirchenarchiv Eisenach)
Responsible for records of the former Evangelical-Lutheran Church in Thuringia, which was formed from the church territories of the Thuringian duchies and principalities. This includes areas like Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach, Saxe-Meiningen, Saxe-Gotha, Saxe-Altenburg, Schwarzburg-Sondershausen, Schwarzburg-Rudolstadt, and the Principalities of Reuss (Younger and Elder Line).
!!! Important clarification:
Some regions that are politically part of modern-day Thuringia—such as Erfurt, Sömmerda, Mühlhausen, and the Henneberger Land—actually belonged to the Prussian Church Province of Saxony and are therefore administered by the Magdeburg Archive, not Eisenach.
This clarification is key when trying to locate the correct records on Archion.de, especially for areas that fall near historical or modern state boundaries. If you’re unsure, always consult the downloadable list of parishes and districts provided by the Magdeburg Church Archive (English page).
What’s Already Online at Archion – EKM Church Records
The EKM’s church books are gradually being scanned and made available on Archion.de – the main platform for Protestant parish record digitization in Germany.
Already online (from the Magdeburg archive):
- Bad Liebenwerda
- Egeln
- Eisleben (partially)
- Elbe-Fläming
- Halberstadt
- Haldensleben-Wolmirstedt
- Magdeburg
!!! Important note: These are church district names (Kirchenkreise), not individual towns or villages.
Not all books from a given district will be released at once—some may be uploaded later in separate batches.
If you’re looking for a specific parish, it’s crucial to first determine which church district it belongs to. A complete, searchable list of all locations covered by the Magdeburg Church Archive—including their assignment to church districts—can be downloaded here:
🔗 Parish and District Directory (PDF) – Landeskirchenarchiv Magdeburg
The archive also provides useful PDF guides to help you translate and decipher historical church records.
Useful Sources and Further Reading
- EKM Digital Church Books – Magdeburg Archive (in English)
- Background on the partnership with Archion and future upload plans.
- Archion Newsletter
- Sign up to receive updates about new digitized church books.
💡 How to Stay Updated on New Church Book Uploads
- Check Archion.de regularly for updates on new church book collections from the EKM area.
- Subscribe to the Archion newsletter so you won’t miss any releases.
- Be patient: Digitization is a complex process and proceeds step by step.
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Tracing your family roots across shifting borders and old script can feel overwhelming—but you’re not alone. With more church books going online every month, now is a great time to dive into your Saxon or Thuringian heritage. Take it one parish at a time—and remember: every name you find is a story waiting to be told.
🇩🇪 Lass Dir beim Finden helfen!
🇬🇧 Let me help you find what you’re looking for!
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