Tazewell County Genealogical & Historical Society

“…increasing and enriching public knowledge of our heritage”

  • Join Us/Renew
  • Events
  • Publications
  • Donate
  • Contact Us
  • Home
  • What’s New
  • Our Library
    • Overview
    • Directions
    • Events Schedule
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Library Collections
      • Overview
      • Newspapers on Microfilm
      • Ortssippenbücher (OSB) Collection
    • Photograph Collections
      • Mystery Photos
      • Notable Men Photos
      • World War I Soldier Photos
    • Publications
    • FamilySearch Affiliate
  • Research
    • Family Histories
      • App Family Stories
      • Dully Family History
    • Maps
      • Township Boundaries
      • 1833 Tazewell County Map
      • 1836 Tazewell County Map
      • 1857 Tazewell County Map
      • 1873 Tazewell County Map
      • 1873 Tazewell County Map 2
      • 1896 Tazewell County
      • 1920 Tazewell County
        from Prairie Farmer Magazine
      • 1929 Tazewell County
        from Illinois Highway Map
    • Records & Indexes
      • Deaths 1877-1950
      • Deeds 1830-1929
      • Marriage Applications 2020 On
      • Marriage Divorces Granted 2021 On
      • Marriages 1869-1950
      • Prairie Pioneer Certificates
      • Surname Registry
      • The Monthly Newsletter Surname Index 1978-2020
    • Research Guides
      • Amish Mennonites in Tazewell County
      • Tazewell County Cemeteries
      • Tazewell County Education Records
      • Vital Records: Birth, Marriage & Death
      • Links to Other Resources
    • Research Services
  • Historical Tidbits
  • About
    • History of TCGHS
    • Mission & Purpose
    • Our Officers & Board
    • Our Facebook Page
    • Contact Info
    • Contact Us
    • Website Map
  • Support TCGHS
    • Become a Member
    • Donate Funds
    • Donate Items
    • Affiliate Shopping
    • Surname Tree
    • Business Plaque
  • Members Only
    • Content of Members Only Area
    • Login/Logout
    • Register for Members Only
    • Edit Members Only Profile
    • Members Only Assistance
    • Society Documents
      • Bylaws
      • Deadline Dates
      • General Policies
      • Job Descriptions
Home > Library Collections > Ortssippenbücher (OSB) Collection

Ortssippenbücher (OSB) Collection

Photo of Teis Smith

Many of the early settlers of Tazewell County emigrated from the Ostfriesland area of Germany. One of these settlers, Teis Smith, became a successful businessman in Pekin. He encouraged many other Ostfriesen families to migrate to central Illinois, providing employment in his wagon factory.

Ostfriesland, also called East Friesland or East Frisia, is an area in the northwest corner of Germany on the North Sea coast and includes the German islands in the North Sea. Ostfriesland is a region rather than any kind of administrative or political district such as a state or province.

Ostfriesland is contained within the German state of Niedersachsen (Lower Saxony). The approximate borders of Ostfriesland are the Netherlands to the west, south to about Papenburg, and east to Oldenburg.

The largest city in Ostfriesland is Emden. Other important cities are Aurich, Leer, Esens, Jever, Norden, and Wittmund.

Map of Ostfriesland Area of Germany

Ortssippenbücher (OSB) and Ortsfamilienbücher (OFB) books contain important genealogical information for Ostfriesen researchers such as family names, social status; occupations; family relationships; and dates of births, marriages, and deaths for families found in a specific church in an Ostfriesen village.

The data in these books has been extracted from local church records and other village/city sources and is presented alphabetically by family surname and then chronologically by marriage date with references to further familial information.

OSB/OFBs are compiled by volunteers, some of whom have spent years writing them. The books are written in German and typically cover the time period from 1700 through 1900, depending on the available data.

Since the data has been extracted from the original records, please remember OSB/OFB books are only a secondary source. When possible, the data should be verified using the original sources.

These books are often the only available practical resources for researchers who cannot access the original records in German archives.  However, some of the original church records may be available on microfilm from the LDS Church.

Ortssippenbüch (OSB) are published in Germany by the Upstalsboom-Gesellschaft (Genealogical Society of Ostfriesland).  Ortsfamilienbüch (OFB) are privately published and sold.  For all intensive research purposes, OSB and OFB books can be considered the same.

The value of an Ortssippenbüch is clear. Of course, not every village has an OSB/OFB, but when one is found, a researcher can gain a tremendous amount of information.  New books are still being issued and are added to our collection as they are published.

Our OSB collection is currently thought to be complete and the largest in the State of Illinois.  If it's not convenient to access our collection, many  OSBs and OFBs are available for purchase from the Ostfriesen Genealogical Society of America.

Ortssippenbücher (OSB) and Ortsfamilienbücher (OFB)

Ostfriesland Village/Parish YearsCovered Book Type Remarks Links
Accum 1657-1900 OFB CD-ROM
Amdorf 1649-1900 OSB
Ardorf 1749-1900 OSB
Arle 1720-1900 OSB
Asel 1631-1930 OSB
Aurich - Oldendorf 1700-1900 OSB
Aurich - Reformed 1771-1900 OSB
Backemoor 1712-1900 OSB
Bagband 1696-1900 OSB
Baltrum 1707-1962 OSB
Bangstede 1724-1900 OSB
Barssel 1651-1900 OFB CD-ROM
Barstede 1684-1907 OSB
Bedekaspel 1726-1900 OSB
Beningafehn OFB Includes Bruckefehn
Berne 1641-1900 OFB CD-ROM
Blersum 1675-1940 OSB
Bingum 1760-1900 OSB
Blexen 1573-1900 OFB CD-ROM
Böhmerwold 1695-1910 OSB
Borssum 1676-1900 OFB
Brake 1611-1900 OFB CD-ROM - includes Elsfleth, Golzwarden, & Hammelwarden
Breinermoor 1700-1900 OSB
Bruckefehn OFB Includes Beningafehn
Burhafe 1650-1695 OFB Book only contains surnames. Online version has additional info. http://www.online-ofb.de/stedesdorf/index.php?lang=en||Also Online
Buttforde (2 volumes) 1646-1920 OSB
Campen 1731-1920 OFB
Canhusen 1740-1900 OSB
Canum 1729-1900 OSB
Carolinensiel (2 Volumes) 1777-1900 OFB
Cirkewhrum 1725-1910 OFB
Collinghorst 1701-1900 OSB
Critzum 1724-1900 OSB
Dedesdorf 1651-1900 OFB CD-ROM
Detern 1644-1900 OSB
Ditzumerverlaat 1853-1900 OSB
Dornum 1706-1900 OSB
Driever 1767-1900 OSB Includes Esklum
Dunum (2 volumes) 1670-1900 OFB http://www.online-ofb.de/stedesdorf/index.php?lang=en||Also Online
Dykhausen-Neustadtgödens 1611-1900 OSB
Eggelingen 1651-1920 OSB
Eilsum 1718-1900 OSB
Elsfleth 1611-1900 OFB CD-ROM - includes Brake, Golzwarden, & Hammelwarden
Emden (French Reformed) 1661-1897 OSB
Engerhafe 1666-1900 OSB
Esens (2 volumes) 1554-1811 OSB Wine Purchase Logs
Esklum 1682-1900 OSB Includes Driever
Fedderwarden 1665-1910 OFB CD-ROM
Filsum 1716-1900 OSB
Firrel (in Remels) OFB
Forlitz-Blaukirchen 1678-1910 OSB
Freepsum 1719-1900 OSB
Funnix (3 volumes) 1674-1900 OSB
Gandersum 1723-1910 OFB http://www.online-ofb.de/gandersum/||Also Online
Golzwarden 1611-1900 OFB CD-ROM - includes Brake, Elsfleth, & Hammelwarden
Grabstelen-Grabplatten OFB CD-ROM
Greetsiel 1694-1900 OSB
Grimmersum 1701-1900 OFB
Grossefehn 1701-1900 OFB
Grossenkneten 1678-1933 OFB CD-ROM
Gross Midlum 1701-1900 OSB
Grosswolde 1728-1900 OSB
Grotegaste 1725-1900 OSB Includes Mitling-Mark
Hage 1706-1900 OFB
Halte 1670-1875 OFB Part of Vellage
Hammelwarden 1611-1900 OFB CD-ROM - includes Brake, Elsfleth, & Golzwarden
Hamswehrum 1731-1915 OFB
Hatsum 1702-1900 OSB
Hesel 1643-1900 OSB
Hinte (2 volumes) 1697-1910 OSB
Hollen (in Remels) OFB
Holtgaste 1695-1900 OSB
Holtland 1629-1900 OSB
Holtrop 1634-1900 OSB
Horsten 1682-1900 OSB
Ihrhove 1723-1900 OSB
Insel Spiekeroog 1669-1958 OSB
Jade 1621-1905 OFB CD-ROM
Jarssum 1786-1900 OSB
Jemgum (2 volumes) 1674-1900 OSB
Jennelt 1715-1932 OSB
Kirchborgum 1724-1900 OSB
Landschaftspolder 1766-1900 OSB
Larrelt 1671-1900 OSB
Leer (12 Volumes) - Ref 1601-1900 OSB
Leer                      - Luth 1674-1900 OSB
Leer                      - Cath 1679-1900 OSB
Leer Index - Families Ref 1796-1873 OSB
Leerhafe 1672-1900 OSB
Leerort 1600-1900 OSB
Loga 1728-1900 OSB
Logabirum 1719-1900 OSB
Logumer Vorwerk 1730-1900 OSB Includes Nesserland
Loppersum 1720-1900 OSB
Loquard 1632-1910 OFB
Manslagt 1695-1935 OSB
Marienchor 1755-1910 OSB
Marienhafe (3 volumes) 1680-1900 OSB
Marienwehr 1728-1900 OSB
Marx 1722-1950 OFB Lists owners of each residence http://www.online-ofb.de/marx/index.php?lang=de||Also Online
Middels 1684-1950 OSB
Midlum (Klein) 1704-1900 OSB
Mitling-Mark 1637-1900 OSB Includes Grotegaste
Moordorf 1892-1900 OSB Includes Victorbur
Neermoor 1665-1900 OFB
Nendorp 1698-1911 OSB
Nesse (2 volumes) 1614-1910 OSB
Nesserland 1719-1872 OSB
Neuburg 1648-1900 OSB
Neuenhuntorf 1800-1900 OFB CD-ROM - includes Warfleth
Norderney 1688-1900 OSB
Nortmoor 1671-1900 OSB
Nüttermoor (2 volumes) 1663-1900 OSB
Ochtelbur 1706-1900 OSB
Ockenhausen (in Remels) 1898- OFB
Oldendorp 1712-1911 OSB
Oldersum (2 volumes) 1652-1900 OSB
Osteel 1712-1964 OSB http://www.online-ofb.de/osteel/||Online Only
Petkum 1681-1900 OSB http://www.online-ofb.de/petkum/index.php?lang=en||Also Online
Pewsum 1729-1907 OFB
Pilsum 1715-1935 OSB
Potshausen 1685-1900 OSB
Rastede 1629-1899 OFB CD-ROM
Reepsholt (3 volumes) 1633-1900 OSB
Remels (17 volumes) 1678-1900 OFB
Resterhafe 1666-1910 OSB
Riepe 1712-1909 OFB http://www.online-ofb.de/riepe/||Also Online
Rodenkirchen 1691-1900 OFB CD-ROM
Rorichum 1695-1900 OFB
Rysum 1712-1900 OSB
Sande 1652-1900 OFB CD-ROM
Schonemoor 1668-1900 OFB
Schortens  (6 volumes) 1684-1900 OFB also CD-ROM
Siegelsum 1700-1907 OSB
Simmonswolde 1654-1900 OFB http://www.online-ofb.de/simonswolde/||Also Online
Spetzerfehn 1767-1910 OFB
Spiekeroog 1669-1958 OSB
Stedesdorf 1629-1852 OFB Book only contains surnames. Online version has additional Finfo. http://www.online-ofb.de/stedesdorf/index.php?lang=en||Also Online
Steenfelde 1719-1900 OSB
Strackholt 1706-1900 OSB
Stapelmoor 1709-1900 OFB
Stollhamm 1609-1900 OFB CD-ROM
Suurhusen 1705-1900 OSB
Tergast 1661-1900 OSB
Thunum 1670-1910 OFB
Timmel 1699-1900 OSB
Twixlum 1706-1900 OSB
Uphusen 1727-1900 OSB
Uplengen (in Remels) OFB
Upleward 1715-1915 OFB
Uttum (2 volumes) 1667-1900 OFB
Varel 1676-1900 OFB CD-ROM
Veenhusen 1669-1900 OFB
Vellage 1670-1875 OFB Part of Halte
Victorbur (2 volumes) 1620-1900 OSB Includes Moordorf
Visquard 1726-1900 OFB
Völlen 1677-1900 OSB
Waddens 1720-1900 OFB CD-ROM
Warfleth 1659-1900 OFB CD-ROM - includes Neuenhuntorf
Weene (3 volumes) 1671-1911 OFB
Weener (4 volumes) 1674-1900 OFB
Werdum (2 volumes) 1662-1900 OSB
Westeraccum 1668-1900 OSB
Westerbur 1556-1900 OSB
Westerende 1663-1929 OSB Also have earilier editions covering 1663-1900 & 1663-1910
Westerhusen 1706-1910 OSB
Wiefelstede OFB CD-ROM
Wiegboldsbur 1700-1910 OSB
Wiesens 1652-1908 OFB
Wirdum 1652-1900 OSB
Wittmund 1540-1800 OSB City
Wolthusen 1646-1900 OSB
Woltzeten 1780-1900 OSB
Woquard 1724-1900 OSB
Wybelsum 1724-1900 OSB
Wymeer 1713-1900 OFB
Zetel 1706-1899 OFB CD-ROM

Other Ostfriesland Resources in our Collection

East Friesens in America Newsletters - Ostfriesian Heritage Society of East Central Illinois (OHSECI) - Rantoul, IL
First Settlers of Moordorf (1767-1817) North Germany to North America
Kopf Schatzung 1719 (census) Ostfriesisches Geschlechterbüch (Band 212)
Newsletters - Ostfriesen Genealogical Society of America (OGSA) - St. Paul, MN Where did they stay? Boyken's Books
(6 Volumes)
Newsletters - Ostfriesen Genealogical Society (OGS) - George, IA Where did they stay? Index
Newsletters - Ostfriesen Heritage Society (OHS) - Grundy County, IA  

Visit Us

Ehrlicher Research Center
719 N 11th Street
PO Box 312
Pekin, IL 61555-0312
(309) 477-3044
Contact TCGHS
Map & Directions

Our Hours

Monday 9:00 am-1:00 pm
Tuesday 9:00 am-1:00 pm
  7:00 pm-9:00 pm
Wednesday   9:00 am-4:30 pm
Thursday 9:00 am-1:00 pm
Friday 9:00 am-1:00 pm
Sunday 2:00 pm-4:30 pm

Quick Links

  • Join Us/Renew
  • Library Overview
  • Coming Events
  • Society Publications
  • Research Services
  • Donate to the Society
  • Contact Us

Resources

Website Map

Links to Other Resources

Generic selectors
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Post Type Selectors

© 1999–2023 • Tazewell County Genealogical & Historical Society • All Rights Reserved

Copyright • Terms of Use • Privacy

Dynamic title for modals

Are you sure?

Please confirm deletion. There is no undo!