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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. 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 1825. Beginning in 1826, Jews, Evangelical Lutherans, | 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 1825. Beginning in 1826, Jews, Evangelical Lutherans, Protestants, Russian Orthodox, Greek Orthodox, etc.) were allowed to maintain separate civil registers. From 1826 on, metrical documents were once more church records in nature, but their form remained true to that of the Napoleonic Code. Records were recorded in the Polish language from 1808 until 1868, and were kept thereafter in the Russian language, until 1918, when Poland regained its independence. | ||
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. | ||