Germany's "new deal" under Hitler has brought about some unusual situations in genealogical and family research. In this series of ten articles, President Oliver H. Budge, of the German-Austrian mission, gives some interesting sidelights on this new German activity.

One of the greatest wholesale fulfillments of prophecy that I have ever witnessed is being carried on right in front of our eyes here in the present day "Reborn Germany." Those ringing words of Malachi in the last two verses of the Old Testament have had a great influence in the "Third Reich."

Genealogy and anthropology are one of the most far-reaching of the recent developments in this country. They are not hobbies nor matters of choice, but realities. The public official of every class are required to present a certificate (pedigree chart) of their ancestors in order to retain their positions. Commissions have been instituted by the government for the purpose of preserving all old documents. Archives are being built up, societies are being organized and the newspapers and periodicals are full of such material.

The genealogical fever has transplanted itself not only into the hearts of the specialists in this line, but also into the very being of the laymen.

Our members who were before active now have the opportunity to visit special classes provided by the city schools and colleges where they live. In Berlin, our Berlin Genealogical society has made special arrangements with the Technical Academy whereby it can send fifteen or twenty of its members there for instruction. Those who were already engaged in the work are working harder. Those who didn’t know what genealogy was, are now learning.

The fact that every official has to have his pedigree charts, causes the government to make it more easy for these persons to obtain them.

Our members have taken advantage of this opportunity and have received much valuable information in regard to the same. Entrance into the various parishes has been made easy. Writing to pastors has been successful because they have been obliged to answer letters written for genealogical information. Thus one whole nation and a world power has turned with one mind toward its fathers.