83,402
edits
no edit summary
No edit summary |
No edit summary |
||
| Line 19: | Line 19: | ||
One of the important aspects of the abolition of serfdom which generated many records was the process of Land Releasment. In this process, the government and the serfs each paid part of the price to buy their land and compensate lords for lost labor, land, and duties. | One of the important aspects of the abolition of serfdom which generated many records was the process of Land Releasment. In this process, the government and the serfs each paid part of the price to buy their land and compensate lords for lost labor, land, and duties. | ||
Also during this time, court and land records moved from estates to government, leaseholders became owners and peasants got equal rights and new land registers were created. All changes regarding real property, owners, or burdens were recorded at this time.No entry was allowed to be made in the books without the approval of the lord of the estate or of the city council in urban areas. These records are generally available for all of the Czech lands. | Also during this time, court and land records moved from estates to government, leaseholders became owners and peasants got equal rights and new land registers were created. All changes regarding real property, owners, or burdens were recorded at this time.No entry was allowed to be made in the books without the approval of the lord of the estate or of the city council in urban areas. These records are generally available for all of the Czech lands. | ||
'''Contents of Czech Land Books: '''These records provide location and description of land and property, names of property owners and family members. Rural peasants with land rights and family members are also listed with the amount of financial obligations of the landholder toward the estate owner. Special books were sometimes included regarding marriages, wills, orphans, obligations and instrumentals. These records may show surname changes, which happened frequently, and family relationships. These records can be written in Czech, German, or both. | |||
'''Location: '''District archives [okresní archívy]. Some are in state regional archives [státní oblastní archívy]. | |||
'''Research use: '''With the exception of church registers and civil registration, land records are the single most important source for genealogical research. In most instances the land records provide exact family relationships. Land books identify individuals in connection with their residence. They enhance the use of church registers and can be used to bridge gaps and are often essential for linking generations. When persons with the same name need to be sorted out, this can be done by house numbers and house ownership. A study of the records of a specific piece of property can give the sequence of generations of the family surname, as ownership was usually passed from father to son. Where names change from generation to generation, land books are helpful in making proper family connections. | |||
'''Accessibility: '''Through correspondence with archives in the Czech Republic, a local agent or by personal search. These books are located in various archives and collections, and sometimes locating a particular one requires thorough research. Some of these books have been destroyed, but many still survive. | |||
<br>Source:Czech Land Registers and Auxiliary Books<br>Ročenka<br>Volume 2, Winter 1995-1996<br>FHL book 943.71 D25r<br><br> | <br>Source:Czech Land Registers and Auxiliary Books<br>Ročenka<br>Volume 2, Winter 1995-1996<br>FHL book 943.71 D25r<br><br> | ||
== Feudal Estate Books (Patrimoniální knihy, Soupisy poddaných) == | |||
Feudal Estate Books are the estate records of land owners, including various matters of the estate. Of particular genealogical value are the records of serfs [''poddaní''] and their feudal obligations to the estate owner. In the feudal system, powerful individuals held their lands in exchange for obligations of allegiance to the king. The properties of these noble landowners were organized into estates [''panství''] from which they derived their income and support. Small villages and the peasants in the villages and farms were the property of the landowners. Serfdom was not officially abolished in the Czech lands until 1848. Patrimonial books [''patrimoniální knihy''] recorded the granting of lands, homage, and land transfers and inheritances of the nobility. Among the patrimonial records are lists of the enserfed peasants [s''oupisy poddaných'' or ''robotní seznamy'']. Such lists were made irregularly according to the needs of the estate owner to appraise the labor force of serfs bound to his estates. Obligations could be satisfied in labor, in kind, or in money. | |||
'''Time period: '''About 1450 to 1848. | |||
'''Contents: '''These records provide lists of serfs with land rights, with ages and amount of obligations of the peasant toward the estate owner. They include residences and often relationship to previous landholder. Later records include lists of all the inhabitants of the estate, testaments, debts, orphan matters, mortgages, marriage contracts, inheritance, and other matters. The completeness of these records depended on the talents and inclination of the record keeper. | |||
'''Location: '''State regional archives [''státní oblastní archívy''], district archives [''okesní archívy'']. Many are included in distinct family collections of the archives.<br>Research use: These records can enhance the effective use of church records. They establish residence, ages, and relationships which are valuable for pedigree links. | |||
'''Accessibility: '''It may be possible to search these records in person at archives in the Czech Republic.<br> | |||
== Cadastral Surveys == | == Cadastral Surveys == | ||