Stadt Birkenfeld and Fürstentum Birkenfeld

Question

For the ancestors born in the city of Birkenfeld (1720s-1820s), what is the correct format... ?

Stadt Birkenfeld, Großherzogtum Oldenburg, Deutscher Bund

OR

Birkenfeld, Fürstentum Birkenfeld, Großherzogtum Oldenburg, Deutscher Bund

(above examples for more recent ancestors... I believe Birkenfeld was part of Baden earlier)

Answer 1

Birkenfeld in the 18th century is pretty complex: It was in the Grafschaft Sponheim which was ruled as a "Kondominium" jointly by the Markgrafschaft Baden and the Fürstentum Pfalz-Zweibrücken until 1776. At that time Birkenfeld came to Baden (Markgrafschaft until 1803, Kurfürstentum until 1806, Großherzorgtum afterwards). In 1797 it was annexed to France and became part of the Département de la Sarre (German: Saardepartement) until 1815 when it became part of the Großherzogtum Oldenburg.

Comments

Thank you, Helmut!  Was the city of Birkenfeld separate from the district?  I have ancestors from both the city of Birkenfeld and villages (Bundenbach) which fell under the jurisdiction of the Furstentum Birkenfeld.  

Should I indicate the city itself by listing it as Stadt Birkenfeld?

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I would keep town and state separate even if it means repeating.