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Nach Kanada! Immigration of Germans to Canada

Dave Obee
May 2, 2025
361 views
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Syllabus
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Content

Play. Playing.
Welcome
1m 32s
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Speaker's Introduction
1m 06s
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Introduction
10m 43s
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Immigration
18m 54s
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Finding Ancestral Places
12m 11s
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Where Were They From?
11m 28s
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Other Records
8m 31s
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Announcements / prizes
3m 36s
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Questions / answers
4m 51s

About this webinar

Germans have been migrating to Canada since the 18th Century, and have played major roles in the development of the nation. Early arrivals came from German territory, while more recent arrivals came from countries such as Poland, the Soviet Union or Brazil. Germans appear in a variety of Canadian records, including some that do not have Canadians of British descent. This session included basic history of Germans in Canada as well as a guide to useful sources.

About the speaker

About the speaker

Dave Obee
Dave Obee is a journalist and genealogical researcher who has written a dozen books and given more than 700 presentations at conferences and seminars in Canada, the United States and Australia since 1997. He is Editor and Publisher of the T
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Key points and insights

In this compelling webinar, genealogist and historian Dave Obee delved into the rich and complex history of German immigration to Canada. Drawing from decades of research and personal experience, Obee traced the major waves of German-speaking immigrants—from early settlers in Nova Scotia to 20th-century refugees—and explored how their journeys were shaped by geopolitics, religion, and opportunity. The session was a treasure trove of guidance for genealogists, offering strategic tips on researching ancestors across borders and centuries, and emphasizing the historical depth and diversity of the German-Canadian experience.

Key Takeaways from the Webinar:

  • Migration Patterns and Motivations: German immigration to Canada was not monolithic. Settlers arrived via multiple waves and regions—some directly from Germany, others from Russia, Poland, or South America. Obee underscored the importance of understanding “push” factors like war and persecution, as well as “pull” factors such as chain migration and religious freedom, to better contextualize ancestors’ decisions.
  • Research Tools and Strategies: Obee provided actionable techniques for tracing German-Canadian ancestry, emphasizing the use of Canadian census data, immigration records from 1865–1935, and specialized tools like the Meyers Gazetteer, Kartenmeister, and passenger lists. He also cautioned against over-reliance on indexes, citing frequent transcription errors and encouraging researchers to explore name variations and regional spellings.
  • Importance of Locality and Historical Context: Identifying ancestral villages was highlighted as crucial for advancing German genealogy. Obee demonstrated how knowing the larger nearby cities, church affiliations, and historical territorial shifts (e.g., from Prussia to Poland) can unlock access to original records. He also shared examples of integrating DNA matches and rare archival materials from Germany’s Bundesarchiv to enrich family stories.

Don’t miss the full webinar—a masterclass in genealogical investigation that will equip you with the tools and historical perspective needed to tackle even the most stubborn family history puzzles. Whether you’re beginning your German-Canadian research or refining long-held lines, Obee’s expertise will guide your journey with clarity and purpose.

To deepen your research further, explore the extensive syllabus and resource links accompanying the webinar. These curated tools—ranging from map repositories to immigration databases—are invaluable for any genealogist focused on German ancestry. Dive in and discover new avenues for understanding your family’s path to Canada.

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  1. JS
    JoAnn Schuh
    4 days ago

    I have very few German ancestors that I am aware of to date, but was glued to this presentation. So much information to absorb, one bit at a time. I have many more avenues of investigation open to me now, after attending this presentation. Thank you.

    Reply
  2. KW
    Kathleen Weir
    4 days ago

    So glad I caught this webinar. I have German family that came to the US via Canada and some who stayed there. I have been looking for some new resources to document them and now I have some, I cannot wait to try them! Thank you!

    Reply
  3. GG
    Gary Gates
    4 days ago

    Fantastic information on finding German Ancestors who were in Canada. The hints also provided insights into finding the home locations for other German ancestors through suggestions on using maps and sources in German. Well worth the listen!

    Reply
  4. AO
    Anastasia Olson
    4 days ago

    Lots of good tips and resources on German genealogy research.

    Reply
  5. NW
    Natalie Williams
    4 days ago

    Excellent information & suggestions.

    Reply
  6. NK
    Nadine Kincaid
    4 days ago

    This gave me so many more places to search for that elusive Canadian citizen birthfather who was of German/east European descent! Thank you!

    Reply
  7. HW
    Holly Whitstock Seeger
    4 days ago

    I look forward to the replay to review all the material. So much covered. Will also refer to the syllabus. Thanks for this also.

    Reply
  8. ES
    Ellen Sears
    4 days ago

    Excellent presentation containing a wealth of websites to go to and many resources. Thanks very much Dave.

    Reply
Show all comments

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