Alien book

Entry in the guest book of the Hotel Bodenhaus by Archduke Ferdinand Maximilian of Austria

As a guest book (also called guest book ) a book in a hotel was previously called, in which the personal details of the overnight guests were entered.

According to the police ordinance, information on first and last name, occupation, date and place of birth, nationality and place of residence had to be entered into the alien register, which varies in the individual countries.

These tourist books can be evaluated for historical research in order to see who has been where and when or which social classes have stayed in a certain place or hotel for a cure or relaxation.

In Germany, the register of foreigners has been replaced by the registration form (in accordance with Section 29 of the Federal Registration Act).

See also

• Stranger list
• Guest book
• Registration Act

Web links

Commons : Guest Book  - Collection of pictures, videos and audio files

(here both private guest books and foreign books)

• Duden online
• Object of the month in the Pfinzgaumuseum: estate of the Kurhaus Schöneck (with a picture of a tourist book, accessed on May 20, 2015)