West German Society for Family Studies
The West German Society for Family Studies e. V. (WGfF) was founded in Cologne in 1913 and, with over 2000 members, is one of the largest genealogical associations in the umbrella organization of the German Working Group on Genealogical Associations (DAGV). The association is based in Cologne.
The goal of the association set out in the statutes is the “promotion of science and research in genealogical and family history”. This goal is pursued in particular through the publication of sources, aids and studies on genealogical topics and the development of family books .
The area of work originally covered the entire Prussian Rhine Province at that time ; today it is limited to the administrative districts of Düsseldorf and Cologne ( North Rhine-Westphalia ) and Koblenz and Trier ( Rhineland-Palatinate ). In its field of activity, the association maintains several regional research centers, the so-called "district groups", in which regular member meetings with lectures , excursions and exhibitions are held on site. The district groups are located in Krefeld, Mönchengladbach, Duisburg, Essen, Wuppertal, Cologne, Bonn, Aachen, Koblenz, Düsseldorf, Gummersbach, Bad Kreuznach and Trier.
The Society regularly publishes a genealogical bulletin. Individual district groups also publish their own genealogical bulletins, such as the Bonn district group, the genealogical bulletin Die Laterne or Aachen die AGI .
Since 1963, the WGfF has been awarding the Oidtman Medal, named after Lieutenant General and important genealogist Ernst von Oidtman , for special services to genealogy .
literature
- Martin Zwilling: 100 years of genealogical research between science, society and politics. The West German Society for Family Studies 1913–2013 , in: 100 Years of the West German Society for Family Studies. Festschrift, ed. vd West German Society for Family Studies, Cologne: WGfF, 2013 (published by WGfF, 285), ISBN 978-3-86579-100-9 , pp. 15–128.
