One of my most popular blog entries is Martin Luther – Yes, THAT Martin Luther – 52 Ancestors #13
I have been surprised to learn that there are a lot of people wondering is Martin Luther has any living descendants. He has, and I am one! Here is my direct lineage to Martin Luther, who is my 11th great-grandfather:
Please read my original post to see my documentation for my ancestry claims.
Have you written any posts about how you go about researching your ancestors in Germany? I am just beginning to delve into ancestors born outside the US (Germany, Poland, Ukraine, Russia) and finding the process daunting as I do not know where to begin. Any tips would be most helpful.
Hi. I am not as familiar with researching ancestors in Poland, Ukraine and Russia, but I have had a lot of success with my German research. Obviously, the key is finding where precisely your ancestor originated. My Luther line was already researched, but I have had a lot of luck with the rest of my family. I have places of birth now for all of my immigrant ancestors. Twenty-five years ago I had only two that were known.
I haven’t used any single method for finding this information. I have used a combination of Familysearch.org, Facebook groups, DNA, maps and surname mapping. When I think I may have found my ancestor, I always create a hypothesis; then, I work on proving or disproving it. Some areas of Germany are much easier to research than others.
Maybe when I have some time, I will try to post some of my favorite links for German research. Here is a link to the Family Search research guide for Germany:
https://familysearch.org/wiki/en/Germany_Genealogy
Do you know where in Germany your family came from and when?
I just found out from a genealogist that Luther is my 12th Great Grandfater. Would you please contact me? Thanks!
Hi, Michele. Can you tell me how you are related?
I just learned that I am a descendant of Martin Luther on my paternal grandmother’s side. His youngest daughter Margaret married a Wagner and my grandmother was a Wagner. The family settled in Berks Co. Pa from Germany. I live in Berks County now but I and my grandmother were from Mifflin Co. I also have a son and granddaughter.
Hi, Susan. I have been doing a lot of research and not blogging much these days. It is always fun to connect with another Luther descendant. Do you have a family tree somewhere?
Can you give me your Wagner names? Thank you.
katharina luther Is my grandma too. 12X not 14. I can’t count lol
katharina luther Is my grandma too. 12X not 14. I can’t count lol!