Ute was able to unravel the identity of an immigrant great-grandmother through an illegitimate daughter born in Germany, an alternate birth year on a Connecticut hospital admission, a 1920 Nebraska passport application for a possible brother, and a birth date in a 1900 Oklahoma census for a possible sister. I was impressed with Ute’s ability to pull together these seemingly unconnected pieces of information into the story of my ancestor, “Katharina Fredericka Scholl”, born in Mainhardt, Württemberg, Germany, who emigrated with her extended family in the 1880s to new homes in New England and the Midwest.

Using the Scholl family as a case study, Ute later published a scholarly article in “The In-Depth Genealogist” on the subject of duplicate (and triplicate!) Württemberg family registers and the diligent parish record-keepers who followed the family from village to village.  You can imagine how excited were my Scholl cousins and I to read it!

For her thoroughness, enthusiasm, and care, I recommend Ute, without reservation,for any level of German records analysis and genealogical research.

Ingrid Adam

Shirley, Massachusetts

January 30, 2023



Ute, you helped me fill the holes in my family background, which in turn filled the holes in my heart. You found half sisters which have become such wonderful friends. I can’t begin to thank you for the work you accomplished on my behalf. – Joy Miller


Ute translated many old script German letters of my great grandmother’s from the 1890s.  She opened doors to my mother’s family in a time and place I would never have known without her expertise in the language and culture.  She went way beyond what I had ever hoped to find and I can’t thank her enough.   Thank you, Ute, I look forward to the adventure of finding my father’s family, also in Germany. – Donna Clausen Lawson, Kansas


During the summer of 2016 I commissioned Ute Brandenburg with German Script Experts to research my paternal ancestors in Germany. Previous researchers and family members had kindly shared their research with me.  I had limited sources to support the content I had. A cousin had a copy of an official stamped historical document written in German. Beyond that one record – this family was always a bit of a mystery as they were not included in any of the standard research databases available online.

When I learned Ute was planning a trip to Germany we had an initial discussion. Ute reviewed the copy of the official stamped historical document and was able to determine all of the records for this family were held at the Diocese Archive in Osnabrück. Prior to entering into an engagement Ute was very upfront about the potential cost of the research trip. She provided a detailed research proposal which listed all of the costs. After agreeing to move forward Ute handled all the arrangements with the Diocese Archive in Osnabrück.

Following the visit Ute prepared a very detailed research report. For each record located she provided the original German text, the German translation and a copy of the original image. Ute also added additional notes which provided context to the culture and time period. Research in Germany becomes quite complex as the researcher steps back in time and the borders begin to shift. If you are considering hiring a researcher for German archives – it is essential that the researcher has experience/understanding of the culture and time period.

Ute learned following the visit that these records are only available at the Diocese Archive in Osnabrück.  During her time at the archive Ute was able to locate 35 records. These records included twelve direct line ancestors – some going all the way back into the 1700’s.  None of this would have been possible without Ute.

Ute has quite a talent for making her way through these old records and making sense of them! It is a wonder she can read some of these – some of the old handwriting is very difficult to read! This trip was such a great example of why a researcher needs to look at the whole picture. Ute is extremely talented both as a researcher and a translator. She also brings knowledge and understanding of German culture.

Michelle M. Murosky

http://murosky-ancestral-lines.blogspot.com/

2 thoughts on “Testimonials

  1. Thanks to Ute, I now know a little snippet of history regarding my ancestor Johann Daniel Heibertshaußen in Staufenberg, Hesse. It was a 1707 entry in the KB which I could only partially translate and was intrigued by the results. I then found Ute and she generously translated the short text about him being shot in the foot! I’ll be seeking Ute’s wonderful expertise in the future, I’m sure.
    Thank you so much, Ute!
    Beth Golden
    Decatur, GA

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  2. I never realized the fun I would have in the learning of my family history. All of this because of the expertise and professionalism and kindness of Ute Brandenburg. She has translated documents and researched and discovered components I would never have found for myself. And, we are not finished yet. It is a gift each time I hear from her. I am most sincerely a satisfied customer! Becky H.

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