Finding German rolls of arms?

[s***@gmail.com]

I suspect I shall be disappointed in the answer, but I have a question:

My ancestors lived in the area of what is now Karlsruhe from at least 1600 until about 1800; this lay in the Margraviate of Baden-Durlach (and then, after 1771, the Margraviate of Baden). At least earlier in that 200-year period, some members of the family seem to have held positions of importance, albeit an extremely local importance - nothing like nobility, but it's just possible that they might have assumed or otherwise acquired arms.

So I suppose my question is: is there, for that area and time period, a record of non-noble arms that is readily available? I would not mind buying a physical book if that were the best option, depending on the price.

[s***@gmail.com]

Have you checked if any old records survive in German archives relating to your ancestors? If any survive, perhaps they have seals with armorial content. That has been how I learned about the arms used by my own ancestors in the 17th/18th centuries.

Post by s***@gmail.com
My ancestors lived in the area of what is now Karlsruhe from at least 1600 until about 1800; this lay in the Margraviate of Baden-Durlach (and then, after 1771, the Margraviate of Baden). At least earlier in that 200-year period, some members of the family seem to have held positions of importance, albeit an extremely local importance - nothing like nobility, but it's just possible that they might have assumed or otherwise acquired arms.
So I suppose my question is: is there, for that area and time period, a record of non-noble arms that is readily available? I would not mind buying a physical book if that were the best option, depending on the price.

[k***@gmail.com]

Post by s***@gmail.com
My ancestors lived in the area of what is now Karlsruhe from at least 1600 until about 1800; this lay in the Margraviate of Baden-Durlach (and then, after 1771, the Margraviate of Baden). At least earlier in that 200-year period, some members of the family seem to have held positions of importance, albeit an extremely local importance - nothing like nobility, but it's just possible that they might have assumed or otherwise acquired arms.
So I suppose my question is: is there, for that area and time period, a record of non-noble arms that is readily available? I would not mind buying a physical book if that were the best option, depending on the price.

Hello,
Here are 2 links for searching the Siebmacher armorial, which contains the arms of both nobles and non-nobles (burghers), by family name.

http://data.cerl.org/siebmacher/_search

http://ww-person.com/html/wwp/siebmacher.html

You might also consider joining the German heraldry forum at www.heraldik-wappen.de, where you can post your questions in English.

[Edward Hillenbrand]

I will add to be cautious before assuming German arms without 100% confirmation.

Here is my family's tale:

Great grand pappy came from the Fatherland seeking the land of milk and honey ... one step ahead of the law & several outraged father in laws. ;)

Once past Ellis Island he pulls out a HRE Barony granted to one Johanans Hillenbrand.

Fast forward to the 90s and mom & pop get into the family tree habit. Middle name matches, DoB same! It's a match!

Enter PiA son, moi. 'Weren't people in Germany named for the sain't of the day they were born?'

Turns out that while Great Grand pappy was right that Johanas Hillenbrand was a baron, the Baron wasn't my family's great, great, great grandfather. The Baron was born in Bavaria while my Johanas was born in Fulda. Same day. Same name. So close ... but no title.