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Back to [[Slovakia|Slovakia Page]]► | Back to [[Slovakia|Slovakia Page]]► | ||
Determining the place of origin is the singlemost important step in researching individuals from Slovakia. Records are organized geographically, by village or county name. | Determining the place of origin is the singlemost important step in researching individuals from Slovakia. Records are organized geographically, by village or county name. | ||
Since the lands of Slovakia changed hands several times over the years, many villages had two, three, four, sometimes as many as several different spellings. spellings could be slight variations or entirely different. The largest difference occured between Slovak spelling and Maygar ("Hungarian"), where the names do not even appear similar Click[http://www.iabsi.com/gen/public/kingdom_of_hungary.htm here] to read more. | Since the lands of Slovakia changed hands several times over the years, many villages had two, three, four, sometimes as many as several different spellings. spellings could be slight variations or entirely different. The largest difference occured between Slovak spelling and Maygar ("Hungarian"), where the names do not even appear similar Click [http://www.iabsi.com/gen/public/kingdom_of_hungary.htm here] to read more. | ||
Initially, you may not even be able to ascertain the country. Due to the world wars, the passage of time and tales that get larger with each generation, even the country should be suspect. A good researcher will collect all these data, and square them against each other over research time, as a good detective. Some is right, some is wrong, some is flawed. Indeed, this is a "treasure hunt." | Initially, you may not even be able to ascertain the country. Due to the world wars, the passage of time and tales that get larger with each generation, even the country should be suspect. A good researcher will collect all these data, and square them against each other over research time, as a good detective. Some is right, some is wrong, some is flawed. Indeed, this is a "treasure hunt." | ||
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Do not underestimate the importance of historical context. Learn a little history. If a document was written in 1910, the village name would be rendered in Magyar, in 1910, it would have been rendered in Slovak. In 1944, certain eastern villages reverted to Magyar, and then back to Slovak after WWII. This is regardless of whether the document was prepared in Slovakia or another country. | Do not underestimate the importance of historical context. Learn a little history. If a document was written in 1910, the village name would be rendered in Magyar, in 1910, it would have been rendered in Slovak. In 1944, certain eastern villages reverted to Magyar, and then back to Slovak after WWII. This is regardless of whether the document was prepared in Slovakia or another country. | ||
Click [http://www.iabsi.com/gen/public/ancestral_village.htm here] for a comprehensive list of sources for village identification and research strategy. | Click [http://www.iabsi.com/gen/public/ancestral_village.htm here] for a comprehensive list of sources for village identification and research strategy. | ||
Sometimes there are discrepancies even in the gazetteers. For example, modern village of Skrabské in Slovakia is recorded in the Dvorzak gazetteer as Magyaróska (pg. 831) and Mogyoróska (pg. 832). | |||
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[[Category:Slovakia]] | [[Category:Slovakia]] | ||