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Czechia Census: Difference between revisions

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the amount of tax paid, and notes.
the amount of tax paid, and notes.


Emperor Joseph II's decree mandating that Jews adopt hereditary surnames was not promulgated until 1787, three years after this census. As a result, (unlike the 1793 census) most individuals in this enumeration use patronyms rather than family name. In the larger towns, however, such as Kolin, Mlada Boleslav, Morina, Teplice, and Votice, surnames already were being used in 1783 to distinguish between individuals (and taxpayers). Obviously, having surnames would also help the central authority to register individual families according to the Familiant Law (issued in
Emperor Joseph II's decree mandating that Jews adopt hereditary surnames was not announced until 1787, three years after this census. As a result most individuals in this enumeration use patronyms rather than family name. In the larger towns, however, surnames already were being used in 1783 to distinguish between individuals (and taxpayers). Obviously, having surnames would also help the authorities to register individual families according to the Familiant Law (issued in 1726). As elsewhere, the surnames reflected professions (Fleischer, Glaser, and Mautner), previous dwelling places (Brandeis, Raudnitz, and Wotitzky), and roles in the community (Cantor and Katz). In small villages and towns the householders used patronyms (Jakob Abraham and Joseph Herschl).
1726). As elsewhere, the surnames reflected professions (Fleischer, Glaser, and Mautner), previous dwelling places (toponyms such as Brandeis, Raudnitz, and Wotitzky), and
roles in the community (Cantor and Katz). In small villages and towns, the typical settlement pattern of Jewish families in Bohemia, (but not in Moravia), the householders used patronyms (Jakob Abraham, Joseph Herschl, and so forth).


The brief editorial portion of this volume is written in Czech, but all the census text is kept in German as it was compiled in 1783. Because of the structured format, the
The brief introduction of this volume is written in Czech, but all census text is kept in its original German language. Because of the structured format, the content is easy to understand. Useful indexes of names and local places for each of the regions supplement the book.
content is easy to understand. Useful indexes of names and local places for each of the regions supplement the book.


The Family History Library has the following published copy of the 1783 Jewish census:
The Family History Library has the following published copy of the 1783 Jewish census:
83,402

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