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Church records (Księgi metrykalne) are excellent sources for accurate information on names; dates; and places of births, marriages, and deaths. Virtually all Christian people who lived in Poland were recorded in a church record. Records of births, marriages, and deaths are called vital records because events in a person’s life are recorded in them. Church records, called parish records or church books, are vital records made by church officials, pastors, or priests. They include records of births and christenings, marriages, and deaths and burials. In addition, church records may include account books, confirmations, and lists of members. Church records are crucial for research in Poland. They are often the only source of family information. | Church records (Księgi metrykalne) are excellent sources for accurate information on names; dates; and places of births, marriages, and deaths. Virtually all Christian people who lived in Poland were recorded in a church record. Records of births, marriages, and deaths are called vital records because events in a person’s life are recorded in them. Church records, called parish records or church books, are vital records made by church officials, pastors, or priests. They include records of births and christenings, marriages, and deaths and burials. In addition, church records may include account books, confirmations, and lists of members. Church records are crucial for research in Poland. They are often the only source of family information. | ||
== | == Time Coverage== | ||
*In general, church records in Poland have been kept since the mid-1600s, although a few parishes have records dating from about 1548. Most parishes have records dating from at least the early 1700s. | |||
In general, church records in Poland have been kept since the mid-1600s, although a few parishes have records dating from about 1548. | *Record-keeping requirements were limited at first to baptisms, marriages, and confession registers. The Pope Paul the 5th demanded from the priests to keep five sets of records: baptism, confirmation, marriage, death, and status animarum–list of parishioners. | ||
*Catholics were the first to maintain church vital records, but Protestants followed soon after. | |||
== Civil Transcripts == | == Civil Transcripts == | ||