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== Land Books (Pozemkové knihy) == | == Land Books (Pozemkové knihy) == | ||
<br>Czech Land Books include declarations of land and property possessed, land transfers and inheritances. The Czech name of these records has varied over time.These records are now called ''pozemkove knihy.'' In the past they were sometimes called ''gruntovní knihy'', ''purkrechtní knihy, | <br>Czech Land Books include declarations of land and property possessed, land transfers and inheritances. The Czech name of these records has varied over time.These records are now called ''pozemkove knihy.'' In the past they were sometimes called ''gruntovní knihy'', ''purkrechtní knihy, urbani knihy, registra trhova, Schoppenbuch, ''and ''Gerichtsbuch. ''These books initially started being kept on the landhold level. They were later broken down to villiage, then farm level. These books were kept by a district administrator and his scribe. | ||
'''Categories of Land'''<br>There were four main types of Czech land holdings during the middle ages. These were:<br>-Domanial, belonged to the Lord or Dominus<br>-Community land farmed in common<br>-Parish land gifted to the church by peasants or local authorities<br>-Peasant holdings | '''Categories of Land'''<br>There were four main types of Czech land holdings during the middle ages. These were:<br>-Domanial, belonged to the Lord or Dominus<br>-Community land farmed in common<br>-Parish land gifted to the church by peasants or local authorities<br>-Peasant holdings | ||
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Historically, most land was owned by the nobility. The most basic of land records are the land tables [''zemské desky''], dating from the 13th century, which record the actual ownership of land plus purchases, cessions, and exchanges of free estates. These have lesser genealogical value and could be categorized as nobility records. | Historically, most land was owned by the nobility. The most basic of land records are the land tables [''zemské desky''], dating from the 13th century, which record the actual ownership of land plus purchases, cessions, and exchanges of free estates. These have lesser genealogical value and could be categorized as nobility records. | ||
The land records of greatest genealogical significance are the land books [''pozemkové knihy''] which record landholders and land lease titles. These date from about 1600. The oldest land books [''pozemkové knihy''] listed the location of the property along with the financial obligations of the landholder to the estate owner. | The land records of greatest genealogical significance are the land books [''pozemkové knihy''] which record landholders and land lease titles. These date from about 1600. The oldest land books [''pozemkové knihy''] listed the location of the property along with the financial obligations of the landholder to the estate owner. Buildings on these lands were often listed by type in land books (cottage, blacksmith’s forge etc).Starting in the mid 1600s some records began differentiating by categories of farmers. These categories were sedlak; serfs who did not own their land, chalupnik; gardeners who owned their domicile and a small amount of land surrounding it, and zharadnik; cottagers who owned somewhat larger tracts of land. After the Thirty Years War killed many people, everyone tried to get more land and gardener and serf classes decreased. | ||
'''Serfdom'''<br>Although serfs were assigned land which was mostly theirs to manage and live off of, there were also many heavy restrictions of serfs. One of these was called Odumrt or escheat reversion. This meant on the death of a peasant, the lord could take a share of his possessions. Also at any time the lord could confiscate land with or without compensation. Sometimes this confiscation was a result of serf mismanagement or bad behavior, but other times it simply suited the needs of the lord. Serfs needed the lord’s permission to move, because that affected his income from taxes and rent. However farmers did move within the lord’s holdings frequently. Serfs were also required to labor on the lord’s farm. | '''Serfdom'''<br>Although serfs were assigned land which was mostly theirs to manage and live off of, there were also many heavy restrictions of serfs. One of these was called Odumrt or escheat reversion. This meant on the death of a peasant, the lord could take a share of his possessions. Also at any time the lord could confiscate land with or without compensation. Sometimes this confiscation was a result of serf mismanagement or bad behavior, but other times it simply suited the needs of the lord. Serfs needed the lord’s permission to move, because that affected his income from taxes and rent. However farmers did move within the lord’s holdings frequently. Serfs were also required to labor on the lord’s farm. | ||
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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. | '''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]. | '''Location: '''District archives [okresní archívy]. Some are in state regional archives [státní oblastní archívy]. | ||
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'''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. | '''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 | '''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> | ||
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The ''berní rula'' was formulated during the reign of Ferdinand III of Habsburg (ruled 1637-57), that is, not long after the end of the Thirty Years' War. The ''berní ruly'' are lists of tax payers based on the records of the estate owners or nobility. First completed in 1653-1654, these tax lists were prepared to study inequities in the tax structure. Properties were surveyed to determine dwellings, fields, and animals of the taxpayers. Other surveys were made in 1683-84, 1746, 1757, and 1792. These lists can be of help in genealogical research by locating the domicile of one's ancestor, and are of value for demographic studies, but they cannot be considered as a complete survey of the population. These lists do not include the poor who were without property or trade. Also, only heads of households are listed without indication of dependents. The ''berní ruly'' are available only for the the "Czech lands" of the Czech Republic (or the province of Bohemia), and not for the province of Moravia and Austrian Silesia. All text is in the Czech language. Tax lists have been deposited in various archives but are not readily accessible to researchers. Some tax lists have been published: | The ''berní rula'' was formulated during the reign of Ferdinand III of Habsburg (ruled 1637-57), that is, not long after the end of the Thirty Years' War. The ''berní ruly'' are lists of tax payers based on the records of the estate owners or nobility. First completed in 1653-1654, these tax lists were prepared to study inequities in the tax structure. Properties were surveyed to determine dwellings, fields, and animals of the taxpayers. Other surveys were made in 1683-84, 1746, 1757, and 1792. These lists can be of help in genealogical research by locating the domicile of one's ancestor, and are of value for demographic studies, but they cannot be considered as a complete survey of the population. These lists do not include the poor who were without property or trade. Also, only heads of households are listed without indication of dependents. The ''berní ruly'' are available only for the the "Czech lands" of the Czech Republic (or the province of Bohemia), and not for the province of Moravia and Austrian Silesia. All text is in the Czech language. Tax lists have been deposited in various archives but are not readily accessible to researchers. Some tax lists have been published: | ||
• '''general index to all 1654 tax lists''' - Berní rula | • '''general index to all 1654 tax lists''' - Berní rula : generalní rejstřík ke všem svazkům- General Index to all 1654 tax lists (published and unpublished), supplemented with the 1651 census if tax lists missing. FHL INTL Book 943.71 X2cc vol. 1-2<br> | ||
• '''some 1427-1435 tax lists for Prague''' - Berní knihy starého města Pražského, 1427-1434 - Tax books for the Prague subdivision Old Town. FHL INTL Book 943.71/P3 R4p<br> | • '''some 1427-1435 tax lists for Prague''' - Berní knihy starého města Pražského, 1427-1434 - Tax books for the Prague subdivision Old Town. FHL INTL Book 943.71/P3 R4p<br> | ||
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=== General Index to All 1654 Tax Lists === | === General Index to All 1654 Tax Lists === | ||
Berní rula | Berní rula : generalní rejstřík ke všem svazkům- General Index to all 1654 tax lists (published and unpublished), supplemented with the 1651 census if tax lists missing. The Family History Library has a copy of the general index (FHL INTL Book 943.71 X2cc vol. 1-2). | ||
Berní knihy starého města Pražského, 1427-1434 - Tax books for the Prague subdivision Old Town. The Family History Library has a copy of the publication (FHL INTL Book 943.71/P3 R4p). | Berní knihy starého města Pražského, 1427-1434 - Tax books for the Prague subdivision Old Town. The Family History Library has a copy of the publication (FHL INTL Book 943.71/P3 R4p). | ||
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*[http://actapublica.eu/hledej/ Czech Republic: Land Records(Moravians)] | *[http://actapublica.eu/hledej/ Czech Republic: Land Records(Moravians)] | ||
'''Wiki articles describing online collections are | '''Wiki articles describing online collections are found at:''' | ||
*[[Czech Republic Land Records - FamilySearch Historical Records]] | *[[Czech Republic Land Records - FamilySearch Historical Records]] | ||
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