Hello,
A German native is helping me search for records in Saxony Thuringia areas and says they (church and government offices) are asking for proof of my relation to my ancestors, to be able to get information. (I'm in USA, he's in Germany) and I think the translation is not clear. I have 2 questions about this:

1. Is this still true? I thought they had loosened the requirements recently.

2. If so, what is sufficient for them to satisfy the requirement? Photo ID? My family tree? A letter stating relation? And just paternal line, or maternal line?

Thanks so much for any help.

Sincerely, Pam