Czechia Census

Census Records [sčítání lidu]

The government of Austria which governed the Czech lands periodically took a census of the population for statistical purposes. The results of censuses were used to follow and regulate various aspects of society particularly taxation and conscription. The first census to record people by name was conducted in 1651. The Catholic Habsburg rulers ordered the 1651 census of the Czech lands to determine the religion of the people (Bohemia and Moravia had been predominantly Protestant prior to 1624) and the prospects of their conversion. Summaries remain of a 1702 count of all people over the age of 10. Censuses were carried out in 1754 and 1762 and revisions were to be made every few years (the compiler of this profile cannot determine at this time whether the revisions were made). Counts were taken in 1770 and 1776. These lists were largely for military purposes. Specific dates of subsequent censuses cannot be determined at this time. The first true census was conducted in 1857. Afterward, censuses were taken in 1869, 1880, 1890, 1900, and 1910. Under the Czechoslovak government censuses were conducted in 1921, 1930, 1940, 1950, 1961, 1970, 1980, and 1991. Future censuses will be conducted by the new government of the Czech Republic.

Contents: The contents vary according to census. Some censuses list only head of household, conscription number of house, and taxable property. Many census returns of the 1800s give house number, head of household, names of members of the household (including servants), ages, occupations, religions, and relationships to head of household; some also give date and place of birth.

Location: State regional archives [státní oblastní archívy] and district archives [okresní archívy]. Parts of the 1770 census have been published in book form. The Family History Library has a published copy of the census for parts of the city of Prague.

Research use: These records link families together into family groups and greatly supplement the research process. They are extremely valuable in locating birthplaces, and determining ages, and relationships and lead to primary vital records sources, making them very valuable for pedigree links. Each census is important by itself but each should also be used with church records and other censuses.

Accessibility: Presently, census materials may be researched at in person at state archives, or you may be able to hire a private researcher to search the records for you. In 2006, several Czech archives agreed with the LDS church to begin a project digitally imaging census records. Nevertheless none of these digitally imaged records are yet available to researchers.