Beginning Czech Research By Shon R. Edwards A.G., M.A.

Various Record Types Matriky of baptisms, marriages, burials (Protestant and Catholic records) Census records Land records Maps and gazetteers Migration documents Military records Probate records Jewish records (especially of births, marriages, and deaths)

Census Censuses are very valuable sources, but exist only in fragments. The first census was taken in The first census useful as a genealogical tool is the Soupis poddaných podle víry z roku 1651 or Register of People by Denomination of Censuses from may list that all-important piece of info, the birth place.

Land Records One of the next best sources to church records. Since the majority of people owned at least some land, 2/3 of them show up in the land records. There are many types of land records: Zemské desky (land tablets), patriomoniální knihy (patrimonial books), berní ruly (tax lists), cadastre (land registries), pozemkové knihy (land books), městké knihy (town books), urbáře (land and duties registers) and others. Pozemkové knihy, or land books, also called gruntnoví knihy, are probably the most helpful records for genealogical research

Military Records Originals of military church records up to 1870 are held at the Vojenský historický archiv (Military Historical Archive) in Prague. Karen Hobbs reports that “the Kriegsarchiv [in Vienna] has begun to distribute military records to the various autonomous lands of the former Austrian Empire.“ Military records date from the 16th century. Many records were lost in the recent floods of August 2002, but they were the more recent records (post- 1880?). Military records, if regiment is known, will allow you to find a birth place for an ancestor.

Probate Records Although probate records exist, they will not be covered here (as they often are in other countries), since they are not usually used in genealogical research, and they are difficult to obtain. Also, other sources are better for genealogy research.

Map of the Czech Republic

Map of Slovakia and Č.R.

Map of České Budějovice, 1:

Small Map of České Budějovice 1:

Which maps do I use? Historical maps Maps of at least 1: scale or better (2 nd number is smaller) Intermediate maps (Czechoslovak interbellum time period (which period includes Podkarpatská Rus), where town names may have once existed, but don‘t any more) Modern maps

Czech archival system Main archive in Prague, under the Ministerstvo vnitra or Ministry of the Interior. Státní oblastní archiv (State Regional Archive), where church records can be found. The appellation Zemský archiv (Provincial Archive) is used in Moravia. The Okresní archiv, or county archive, where many census records can be found.

Czech State Regional Archive Districts

How to do Czech research Do it on your own in the Czech Republic Hire a reliable researcher Plzeň archive, as far as I know, will still do genealogical requests for around $10.00 U.S. per hour. Other archives have no such service, as they have in the past.

Archival report

How do I find a reliable researcher? ICAPGen, Board of Certified Genealogists, Postings in reliable Czech family history research journals, such as CGSI’s Naše Rodina. Also see them online at

What to bring if you do research on your own Czech-, German-, Latin-English dictionaries Czech-, German-, Latin-English genealogical dictionaries Gazetteer covering the geographical area you are researching Atlases and maps One or more Czech genealogical handbooks Laptop computer Pedigree charts and family group record sheets

Paper or Electronic? My answer is both. I like to have both paper and electronic copies of gazetteers, maps, inventories, genealogical charts, etc. That way, if my laptop fails, I have a backup source. I have had break-downs in the past. Many sources are no longer under copyright. Also, some writers will allow you to make a personal electronic copy/scan of their material. It can‘t hurt to ask.

Languages that are the most helpful in the Czech Republic Czech (Czech is the best. Use an interpreter, if Czech is your only option.) German (older people often speak German) English (younger people are more likely to speak English)

National Holidays 1 January – New Year’s Day 1 May – Labor Day 8 May – Liberation Day 5-6 July – St. Cyril and St. Methodius/Jan Hus Day 28 October – Czechoslovak Independence Day 24-26, 31 December – Christmas Eve, Christmas, Boxing Day, New Year’s Eve

Call or Write Before You Go – Plan Ahead!!! Call or write the archives you plan to visit before you go to make sure they will be open. I once, in my early days of visiting archives, made the mistake of planning a trip during a holiday and once during a building rennovation. This can be a big let-down. Also, it is often necessary to reserve a seat, even 6 months ahead of time or longer.

Czech research helps Genealogical Research for Czech and Slovak Americans, Olga Miller A Handbook of Czechoslovak Genealogical Research, Daniel Schlyter Czech Research Outline, Shon R. Edwards, Society journals, such as CGSI‘s Naše Rodina

Find exact birthplace of ancestor in the Czech Republic Gather information from family Cemetery records, obituaries, funeral home records Birth, marriage, and death certificates Census and indexes Migration documents, especially Declarations of Intent in the United States

Languages of Czech Records Czech (especially more recently) and Třeboň archive Latin (older records usually) and Opava and Litoměřice archives German (especially during Austrian occupational periods), Litoměřice archive Švabach (simply, Czech written in German Kurrent (Gothic) script)

Baptismal record

Marriage record

Czech baptism and birth certificate

Gazetteers Gemeindelexikon. Místopisný slovník Československé republiky. Gundacker gazetteer (Pfarrortelexikon Böhmen) and parish register inventory (Matrikenverzeichnis der Böhmischen Staatsarchive) combination, available at Statistický lexikon obcí České republiky, 2005.

Gemeindelexikon gazetteer

Mistopísný slovník gazetteer

Gundacker gazetteer,

Gundacker parish inventory,

Jewish Records Earliest books are a circumcision book from 1677 and Female birth records begun in In 1784, Jews were ordered to keep books under the direction of the Catholic Church. Many Jewish records from were destroyed by the Nazis in Prague at a German paper mill on 18 April Jewish record inventories in the Czech Republic are available at from Felix Gundacker.

Czech alphabet

Volunteers Needed to Index Czech Records Get in touch with me if you are interested in volunteering to index Czech (or Slovak records now being digitized from the microfilm) records from the parishes now being digitally microfilmed.

GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR CZECH RESEARCH!!! Thank you, Shon Edwards