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  • Pro Heraldica – The basic principles of our philosophy

  • More than 40 years Pro Heraldica and more than 75 years Dochtermann heritage

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About us

  • Pro Heraldica – as we present ourselves today – is based on two companies.
  • The two most important heraldic and genealogical societies are located in Stuttgart, the “secret capital” of heraldry and genealogy
  • The company founded by Alfred Dochtermann in 1937 and Pro Heraldica, founded in 1972
  • Since 2001, both companies have been united under the umbrella of Pro Heraldica.
  • Both together result in incomparable expertise.
  • In total, the two companies worked for more than 80,000 families.

Communicating the spirit of tradition into the modern age – that’s our job

Pro Heraldica Forschungsgesellschaft für Heraldik und Genealogie mbH in Germany has been tracing family coats of arms and family histories for more than 75 years – covering a wide range of activities from research work, to the design and hand-crafted implementation of signet rings, from pedigrees to family trees.

Family chronicles are increasingly gaining in importance. We write them when concluding our research work. They contain not only the historical data of a genealogical research but also many memorable events in a family. The family histories of the “New Age” are becoming so much more exciting, interesting and entertaining that they result in complete biographies. A large volume of documents are collected in the family archive.

Companies are also finding that history and tradition play an important role in their corporate image. The search key “History Marketing” has scored around 735 million Google hits.

The history of a company can only be communicated internally and to the outside world on the basis of a well-substantiated archive. What is essential is that it is done in good time. A company chronicle can be compiled on the occasion of a special jubilee to tell of the tradition of the company’s sustained activities – both past and present. The story can be further illustrated with biographies of personalities who were, or still are significant for the company.

Facts about Pro Heraldica

The company was founded by Alfred Dochtermann in 1937, later named Wappengilde Stuttgart. Since 2001, it is owned by Pro Heraldica.

Since 1972, initially under the name of Dr. Mohr GmbH and renamed to Pro Heraldica in 1977.

Pro Heraldica and social commitment

Pro Heraldica gibt es inzwischen seit fast 50 Jahren. Und das nicht umsonst. Wir vermitteln nicht nur Dienstleistungen, sondern auch Werte. Werte, die in Familien gelebt werden. Wir pflegen zu sagen: Wir sind Dienstleister. Und da kommt der Dienst vor der Leistung. Das werden Sie spüren, wenn Sie mit uns zu tun haben. Wir erforschen Ihre Familiengeschichte, wir schreiben Ihre Chronik, wir designen, wir komponieren Ihr Familienwappen. All dies schafft Werte im Kleinen, in der Familie, das wird sich auswirken in die Breite, in Ihre Umgebung. Pro Heraldica arbeitet so nicht nur nach Außen mit den Kunden. Wir legen großen Wert darauf, dass auch unsere Lieferanten, unsere Künstler, unsere Forscher und vor allem unsere Mitarbeiter täglich Spaß an ihrer Arbeit haben. Und damit dies nicht nur im Kleinen bleibt, verteilen wir ein bisschen von dem, was wir uns alle erarbeiten, in die Welt hinaus. Zuletzt beispielsweise haben wir in Südafrika den Stamm der Khoisan unterstützt. Dort gibt es ein Kinderheim, das eine Weihnachtsfeier erstmals ausgerichtet hat. Dort gibt es Kinder, die noch nie ein Ei gegessen haben. Das hat uns so berührt, dass wir mit einer größeren Spende halfen und die Kinder hatten ein schönes Weihnachtsfest. Das ist Pro Heraldica, und das werden Sie spüren.

In its work, Pro Heraldica stands for values such as the family, togetherness, responsibility, an awareness of history and cultural heritage

And that is why we regularly support projects which aim to protect and promote these values.

People and family

We support initiatives and facilities which champion families, children and young people and/or help those who have fallen into need or have gotten into difficulties. At regular intervals we select a project together which addresses a social problem. Here are just some of the projects we have supported in the past: Support for the Huruma School, Tnasania, Africa – a school for children with disabilities. The promotion Verkehrs-Malbuch Alexandra-Sophia-Stiftung e.V: Stuttgart – a coloring book for elementary school kids making them aware of danger on the roads. The promotion Verkehrs-Malbuch Alexandra-Sophia-Stiftung e.V: Stuttgart, si support for the Münsterbauverein e.V. Ulm( a project to finance the restoration of the Ulm cathedral)and support of the Dr. Otto-Schäfer Stiftung musuem in Schweinfurt. The promotion Sicherer Schulweg (safe school way) for Stuttgart children, an initiative of the Alexandra-Sophia Stiftung e.V. and the bw-Verlag, publishers from Filderstadt. Promotion of the broadcasting company Antenne 1 for the benefit of street kids in Stuttgart. Babyklappe Stuttgart an initiative which tries to prevent desperate mothers from abandoning their new-born Promotion “Trott War”- in recognition of those people who have actively overcome their difficulties

Culture and cultural heritage

In our research work we are reliant on historical documents and facilities which is why we also support the preservation and restoration of cultural heritage: International Delphic Council which we supported from the very beginning with words and deeds. The IDC has undertaken to promote culture and organizes each year the Delphic Games – a humanitarian and artistic pendant to the Olympic Games. The Anna Amalia Bibiliothek in Weimar. The catastrophic fire of 2004 destroyed historical sources such as those which form the basis of our research work. With our contribution we hope to be able to restore a part of the destroyed reference library and to prevent such a tragedy from happening again. Restoration of the Cathedral in Ulm. One of South Germany’s greatest cultural monuments – where there is always something in need of repair!

The Archives

The Pro Heraldica archives consist of around 80,000 files kept on meters and meters of shelving.

The archives contain not only heraldic files but also comprehensive genealogical files gathered together in more than 80 years of research work.

Our own research reports are supplemented by the genealogical and heraldic archives of Alfred Dochtermann containing more than 30,000 files of research from pre-war sources which today are no longer accessible. To mention just one example: the archives contain original correspondence from the Thirties as well as innumerous hand-drawn drafts of coats of arms.

The Alfred Dochtermann archives are part of the research archives of Pro Heraldica and together with his reference library is regarded as the second largest collection in private possession, exclusively today in the hands of Pro Heraldica.

Our reference library – Largest library for heraldry and genealogy

If research is to be scientifically based the researcher must be able to access comprehensive sources at all times. One of these resources is a reference library, as a well-stocked reference library and archives are the best requisites for successful research. At Pro Heraldica we have built up in more than 80 years of research work the largest private specialized reference library for heraldry and genealogy. Whole walls have disappeared behind shelving – after all, the 30,000 books need room – not to mention the new ones arriving each week! The information held here is today priceless as it is so unique. The private Pro Heraldica library also includes the works of the two eminent authorities Neubecker and Dochtermann as well as the unique collections of Kenfenheur und Zangerer etc.. We are repeatedly confronted with new research situations and if we want to stay up to date then we have to develop. That means we have to read, read, and read! So the length of our bookshelves has been growing with every additional item of knowledge we gain. Day in, day out. For more than 80 years.

Ethics

Ethics are a classical branch of philosophy, addressing the moral value of human conduct. At Pro Heraldica, ethics enjoy top priority in the corporate philosophy.

Our code of business conduct is based on the following principles:

Service:

  • Customer service is our prime target in all that we do
  • We provide an individual service to meet the client’s wishes as best as possible
  • All of our activities are transparent
  • We are fair
  • We are friendly
  • We are committed
  • We set up a professional customer relationship
  • We are creative

Performance:

  • We aim to achieve the best possible customer satisfaction
  • We process orders with due diligence
  • We adhere to schedules
  • We continually optimize results
  • We are not dogmatic where opinions differ
  • We are honest and sincere
  • We aim to exceed the client’s expectations
  • We ensure data protection and the sensitive handling of confidential data

Our standards in the specialist fields of genealogy, heraldry and registration:

  • Top-level processing of orders
  • Pro Heraldica assumes complete responsibility for all results generated
  • All results are documented and where this is not possible they are marked as non-documentable conclusions.
  • Time and cost management in the client’s interest is assured.
  • Compilation of chronicles and documentation of lasting value for future generations
  • Use of decades of expertise to achieve maximum research results.
  • Compliance with all classical rules of heraldry
  • Coats of arms are tastefully and exquisitely designed
  • High-class graphics
  • Warranty for recordability of all coats of arms created by Pro Heraldica
  • On-going further training of our employees through participation in conventions
  • On-going reference to technical literature
  • Deployment of state-of the-art resources and technologies
  • Archiving service
  • Absolute discretion
  • Due diligence in handling data

Fine Arts

  • Cooperation with the best and most highly qualified craftsmen in the field
  • Working only with the best and most refined materials
  • Maximum creativity when designing objects
  • Exquisite design
  • Due diligence in execution
  • Continuous further development of products

This post is also available in: German