Austria, Upper Austria, Hoheneck Collection - FamilySearch Historical Records

Title in the Language of the Record
Österreich, Oberösterreich, Sammlung Hoheneck 1400-1800

Record Description
This collection will include records from 1400-1800.

These records include a collection of genealogical manuscripts and printed works acquired by Baron Johann Georg Adam Hoheneck. The materials are concerned with the history of Austrian nobility. Original records are in the Oberösterreichisches Landesarchiv, Linz, Austria.

Record History
During the time of these records, Austria was part of the Holy Roman Empire. Its nobility system was comparable to that of Germany’s (which was also part of the Holy Roman Empire). More information on Germany’s nobility can be found in this wiki article and this GenWiki link.

Austria’s nobility was divided into two groups: the higher nobility, comprised of princes and counts, and the lower nobility comprised of barons, knights and untitled noble families. During this time, nobility could either be inherited or bestowed upon a family by a select few powerful people (such as the Archduke of Austria). Families of the high nobility possessed grand amounts of land and wealth. They also had great influence in, and commonly served in, the court, playing a major part in politics at the time.

Under the Law on the Abolition of Nobility, Austria eliminated its noble classes in 1919. Nobility lost their titles as well as their privileges. However, this was only effective in Austria. Traveling Austrian nobility were still commonly referred to with their titles in other countries.

Record Content
These records may contain any of the following information:


 * Name of primary individuals
 * Birth date and place
 * Baptism date and place
 * Marriage date and place
 * Death date and place
 * Names of other family members
 * Residences

How to Use the Record
To begin your search it is helpful to know:


 * Name of your ancestor
 * Identifying information such as birth date, residence or parent's names

Search this Collection
To search the collection:

⇒Select "Browse through images" on the initial collection page ⇒Select the appropriate "_____________" ⇒Select the appropriate "_____________" ⇒Select the appropriate "_____________" which takes you to the images.

Look at each image comparing the information with what you already know about your ancestors to determine if the image relates to them. You may need to look at several images and compare the information about the individuals listed in those images to your ancestors to make this determination.

When searching:

As you are searching it is helpful to know such information as your ancestor's given name and surname, some identifying information such as residence, age, and family relationships. Remember that there may be more than one person in the records with the same name as your ancestor and that your ancestor may have used nicknames or different names at different times.

For Help Reading the Records
These records are in German. For help reading the records, see the following wiki articles:
 * German Word List
 * Germany Handwriting
 * Germany Resources

Tips to Keep in Mind

 * There may be more than one person in the records with the same name.
 * Your ancestor may have used different names or variations of their name throughout their life.
 * Use the estimated age to calculate a birth date.
 * Titles may be clues to property ownership, occupations, rank, or status within the community.

Related Websites

 * Osterreichische Nationalbibliothek
 * Researching in the Austrian Empire
 * Osterreichisches Staatsarchiv
 * Research in Austria

Related Wiki Articles

 * Austria
 * Austria, Upper Austria, Wels, Census Records (FamilySearch Historical Records)
 * Austria, Upper Austria, Linz Citizen Rolls (FamilySearch Historical Records)
 * Austria, Upper Austria, Linz, Death Certificates (FamilySearch Historical Records)

Citing FamilySearch Historical Collections
When you copy information from a record, you should list where you found the information. This will help you or others to find the record again. It is also good to keep track of records where you did not find information, including the names of the people you looked for in the records.

Citation for This Collection
The following citation refers to the original source of the information published in FamilySearch.org Historical Record collections. Sources include the author, custodian, publisher, and archive for the original records.