Czechia Census

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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 earliest censuses were simply head counts taken for taxation purposes. 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. Counts were taken in 1770 and 1776. These lists were largely for military purposes.

The first true census was conducted in 1857. Afterward, censuses were taken in 1869, 1880, 1890, 1900, 1910, 1921, 1930, 1940, 1950, 1961, 1970, 1980, and 1991, and 2001.

Beginning in 1724 a census of Jews was periodically taken.

Some census returns, including those for the 1651 census, are kept in the archives. Unfortunately, most census returns, which included lists of inhabitants, have been lost. In most cases, only summary information from the censuses is available. Generally, archival researchers will not consult census records. Some census returns have been published.

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 and published copies of the parts of the 1651 census.

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 in person at the Czech archives, or you may be able to hire a private researcher to search the records for you.

Introduction
The Register of Subjects According to Their Religion lists town by town, village by village, almost every man and woman, and many children in Bohemia in the year 1651. The census was ordered by the Habsburg ruler as part of the re-Catholization process. The goal of the census was to determine how many people had remained loyal to the Roman Catholic faith, who had become protestant, and whether they were willing to say they would convert to Catholicism.

Historical Background
The Register of Subjects According to Their Religion was drawn up in 1651 as part of the attempt of the Habsburg monarchy to re-Catholize Bohemia after victory at the Battle of the White Mountain in 1620.

The first census to record people by name was conducted in 1651. The Family History Library has published copies of the 1651 census for the following regions:

Loketsko Boleslavsko Berounsko Rakovnicko Žatecko Bechyňsko Kouřimsko Čáslavsko Hradecko-Bydžovsko Chrudimsko Plzeňsko-Klatovsko

Description
1651 Register of Subjects According to Their Religion (Soupis poddaných podle víry z roku 1651). FHL INTL Book 943.71 X2

1770 Census of Prague
The Family History Library has a published copy of the census for parts of the city of Prague.

The 1770 Prague census of heads of families for the subdivision Old Town (Popis obyvatelstva hlavního města Prahy z roku 1770). FHL INTL Book 943.71/P3 X2p

1793 Jewish Census
The Family History Library has published copies of the 1793 Jewish census for the following regions:

Loketsko Boleslavsko Budějovicko Kouřimsko Bydžovsko Litoměřicko Prácheňsko Berounsko Táborsko Chrudimsko Plzeňsko Žatecko Hradecko Čáslavsko Klatovsko Rakovnicko

The 1793 Bohemian census of Jewish families (Soupis židovských rodin v Čechách z roku 1793). FHL INTL Book 943.71 K3s vol. 1-6