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Civil registers in the Napoleonic format are found in all of Russian Poland, in Kraków and in parts of the Prussian province of Posen, which are all formerly part of the old Grand Duchy of Warsaw. | Civil registers in the Napoleonic format are found in all of Russian Poland, in Kraków and in parts of the Prussian province of Posen, which are all formerly part of the old Grand Duchy of Warsaw. | ||
In accordance with the law, metrical books were to be kept by state officials. | In accordance with the law, metrical books were to be kept by state officials. Because there were not enough state officials to perform the duties, the clergy were frequently appointed as civil registers. Catholic clergy were responsible for all civil registration from 1808 until the mid-1820s. Beginning in 1826, Jews, Evangelical Lutherans, and other non-Catholics were allowed to maintain separate civil registers. | ||
Civil registration started when the clergy were required to make civil copies of birth, marriage, and death records. These are known as civil transcripts of church records (see [[Poland Church Records]]). Because the church was involved in early civil registration, it is difficult to clearly distinguish between civil registration and church records. | Civil registration started when the clergy were required to make civil copies of birth, marriage, and death records. These are known as civil transcripts of church records (see [[Poland Church Records]]). Because the church was involved in early civil registration, it is difficult to clearly distinguish between civil registration and church records. | ||
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In the former Russian and Austrian territories, conventional civil registration did not begin until after the establishment of the Republic of Poland in 1918. | In the former Russian and Austrian territories, conventional civil registration did not begin until after the establishment of the Republic of Poland in 1918. | ||
Note: The Napoleonic Code is a true masterpiece of legislative law that became the model for future metrical registration. The whole Code numbers 2,281 paragraphs, and only some of them dealt with records of the civil registry, with marriages and divorces (previously unknown in Europe!). Other sections dealt with questions of, for instance, paternity, minors, residence, deprivation of free will, the mentally ill, personal freedom, the inviolability of private property, freedom to make contracts, and freedom of religion and work. | Note: The Napoleonic Code is a true masterpiece of legislative law that became the model for future metrical registration. The whole Code numbers 2,281 paragraphs, and only some of them dealt with records of the civil registry, with marriages and divorces (previously unknown in Europe!). Other sections dealt with questions of, for instance, paternity, minors, residence, deprivation of free will, the mentally ill, personal freedom, the inviolability of private property, freedom to make contracts, and freedom of religion and work. | ||
=== Language of the Records === | === Language of the Records === | ||