Greetings All: I am attempting to build a database for my German (PLANNERER) ancestors and possible relatives. I have come across several names of places I want to use in the database, but do not understand in what categories they belong. Most of these are listed with records from the 1700-1800's. I guess one of the things that is confusing me is that I am used to a city being named first, then a state, and then the country. I get confused when the names are: 1. more than the typical 3 2. when one time the name is second, then next time it is last, and the later it might be in the 3rd position. 3. One time it is part of a 3 part name, then the next time they are separate names For example: Jenapriessnitz, Sachsen-Weimer-Eisenach, Thuringen Is Jenapriessnitz a city? Is Sachsen-Weimer-Eisenach a region or 3 regions ( or some other kind of district )? I believe that Thuringen was a country/kingdom at that time (but was later a state?) The next record splits the name and switches the wording around. Dornburg, Eisenach, Weimar, Sachsen Sometimes Sachsen is first or second , like a town or region; the next time it is last, like a state or Kingdom. I hope someone can clarify the confusion. Hollenbach, Jagstkreis, Wuerttemberg Was Hollenbach a city, Jagstkreis a region and Wuerttemberg a state/Kingdom at that time? What about Neutz, Saalkreis, Sachsen, Preussen? What about Friedingen, Donaukreis, Wuerttemberg? I would appreciate any help you can give. Mike Kennedy Dayton Ohio