Researching Polish Court Records

Posted on September 4, 2009 by Steve

As far as I have been able to determine most, if not all, of my mother’s ancestors were members of the Nobility.

The Polish Nobility or Szlachta arose in the Middle Ages and existed until officially abolished in 1921. Nobility was most often inherited, although Nobility could also be achieved by adoption or by action of the King or the Sejm.

The Polish Nobility included between 6.6% and 8% of the total population of Poland and between 16% and 25% of all ethnic Poles.

Members of the Nobility enjoyed privileges that the general population did not. Most owned land and engaged in financial transactions that were recorded in the Polish courts of law. Many of these Polish court records still exist, although most have not been indexed. Few (if any) of these Polish court records are available through the Family History Library.

Many Polish court records are archived by the Polish State Archives, specifically in the Archiwum Główne Akt Dawnych (AGAD), or the Central Archives of Historical Records in Warsaw.

While most of these records have not been indexed, Marek Minakowski has assembled a database of those records that have been indexed on his Ancestors website at http://www.przodkowie.com/agad/ .

I have been searching through those indexed records and have found quite a number that appear to relate to my ancestors. Those that appear to refer to my ancestors include:

MZW t. 5 f. 267 1785 debitum Mossaki-Rukle, pow.przasn nee Mossakowski Chodkowski Niedziałkowski  
MZW t. 5 f. 268 1785 debitum Mossaki-Łyszkowo, pow.przasn Niedziałkowski Chodkowski 

MZW t. 6 f. 1 1791 obligatio Głódki Kobierzycki Chodkowski
MZW t. 6 f. 162 1792 kwit Głódki Kobierzycki Chodkowski
MZW t. 6 f. 173 1792 dług Mossaki-Iłowe, pow.przasn Milewski nee Ostrowski Chodkowski
MZW t. 6 f. 189 1792 dług Mossaki-Rukle, pow.przasn Chodkowski Krzyżewski
MZW t. 6 f. 252 1793 zastaw Pomaski-Wielkie Pomaski Chodkowski

PZW t. 37 f. 43 1790 intromisja Mossaki-Rukle Chodkowski Mieszkowski
PZW t. 37 f. 68 1791 sprzedaż Chełchy-Iłowe Niedziałkowski Ślaski 2 dokumenty 
PZW t. 37 f. 124 1791 kwit Mossaki-Stara Wieś Niedziałkowski, Humięcki nee Giewartowski Młodzianowski  
PZW t. 37 f. 157 1791 kwit  Milewski Niedziałkowski nieskończony 
PZW t. 37 f. 175 1791 kwit  nee Czaplicki Ostrowski Niedziałkowski
PZW t. 37 f. 235 1791 wymiana gruntów Mossaki-Stara Wieś Chodkowski Milewski 2 dokumenty
PZW t. 37 f. 252 1791 kwit  Kierzkowski, Niedziałkowski Mieszkowski, Chełchowski, Mossakowski  
PZW t. 37 f. 265 1791 intromisja Chełchy-Iłowe Ślaski Niedziałkowski
PZW t. 37 f. 272 1791 intromisja Mossaki-Stara Wieś Chodkowski Milewski

PZW t. 42 f. 64 1792 dług Mossaki-Godacze, -Rukle Niedziałkowski Humięcki
PZW t. 42 f. 115 1793? dług  nee Milewski Mossakowski Niedziałkowski  
PZW t. 42 f. 318 1792 kwit z szacunku Mossaki-Godacze, -Stara Wieś Niedziałkowski Kierzkowski  
PZW t. 42 f. 319 1792 kwit z szacunku Mossaki-Rukle Kierzkowski Niedziałkowski  

PZW t. 48 f. 54 1796 dług Mossaki-Rukle Niedziałkowski Żbikowski  
PZW t. 48 f. 55 1796 kwit z szacunku Żbiki-Gawronki Żbikowski Niedziałkowski  
PZW t. 48 f. 129 1796 dług Mossaki-Rukle Mieszkowski Chodkowski

WGW t. 87 f. 291 1792 inwentarz Bagienice Duże, Bagienice Małe Niedziałkowski

ZGW t. 67 f. 588 1601 deputatio Przyborowice x. Niedziałkowski, kanclerz płocki, kanonik pułtuski   
ZGW t. 67 f. 625 1601 rellatio Wrońsko, Przyborowice-Radwany (za dunajem ku siedlisku piotrowskiem) Przyborowski, Jurzyński x. Niedziałkowski, kanclerz kat.płoc., kan.pułtuski

These records are from a number of different books. The three letter abbreviations for the titles of those books are defined as follows:

  • MZW – Makowskie Ziemskie Wieczyste
  • PZW - Przasnyskie Ziemskie Wieczyste
  • WGW - Wyszogrodzkie Grodzkie Wieczyste
  • ZGW - Zakroczymskie Grodzkie Wieczyste

The records include debitum (debt), dług (debt), inwentarz (inventory), kwit (receipt), obligatio (bond), sprzedaż (sale), wymiana gruntów (exchange of land), and zastaw (pledge, deposit).

I am looking forward to obtaining copies of these records that document events in my ancestors’ lives.

Copyright © 2009 by Stephen J. Danko

Posted in Chodkowski, Milewski, Niedziałkowski, Pomaski | Comments Off on Researching Polish Court Records

Summary of the Nienadowa Field Sketches – 1854

Posted on September 3, 2009 by Steve

The 1854 field sketch maps of Nienadowa, Galicia (now Poland) consist of 19 individual maps, 10 of which were copied as part of the Gesher Galicia Cadastral Map and Landowner Records Inventory.

I received copies of these maps in August and have spent the past couple of weeks digitizing and reassembling the maps. The original maps were copied onto A3 paper, and most of the maps were copied in two or three sections. Unfortunately, some of the maps were copied at 90% scale and others were copied at 100% scale. I attempted to digitize these maps so that the original tiff images are all at the same scale, recombined the multiple sections when necessary, and then made an effort to clean up the maps.

The ten maps that were copied fit together as shown below:

Nienadowa Field Sketch Maps - 1854

Nienadowa Field Sketch Maps – 1854

Digital images of the individual maps can be found as the following blog entries:

I was told that the remaining maps (Maps 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 15) had no houses on them and, therefore, were not copied. I am certain that at least some of the remaining maps do, indeed, have houses on them.

In fact, the house of my third great grandfather, Wojciech Dańko, is probably on Map 15. His land extends from Map 10, through Map 15, and into Map 17.

The land held by another third great grandfather, Wojciech Sowa, appears on Map 18.

My next task will be to index these maps in order to begin a one-village study of Nienadowa.

Copyright © 2009 by Stephen J. Danko

Posted in Dańko, Sowa | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Nienadowa Field Sketches – Map 11

Posted on September 2, 2009 by Steve

The eleventh Nienadowa, Galicia Field Sketch Map from the Ukrainian Archives shows a corner of Nienadowa that includes much land devoted to forests.

Nienadowa, Galicia - 1854 (Map 11)

Nienadowa, Galicia – 1854 (Map 11)

SOURCE: Map of the Village of Nienadowa, Galicia – 1854 (Map 11).” Published 1854. Feldskizzen (Field Sketches), Fond 186, Opys 9, Sprava 611. State Historical Archives of Ukraine in Lviv, Lviv, Ukraine.

Click on the map above to view an enlarged image. This map fits in just above map 12 and to the right of map 9.

The surnames on this map which are also in my family tree include:

  • Piotr Bal in house number 104 (Teresa Bal married my great uncle Marcin Dańko).
  • Kazimierz Bębenek in house number 199 (my first cousin, three times removed, Zofia Dańko, married Antoni Bębenek).
  • Jan Pilch in house number 86 (the midwife who delivered my grandfather and several other relatives was Agnieszka Pilch).
  • Kazimiera Pilch in house number 86 (the midwife who delivered my grandfather and several other relatives was Agnieszka Pilch).

Copyright © 2009 by Stephen J. Danko

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Nienadowa Field Sketches – Maps 13 & 14

Posted on September 1, 2009 by Steve

The thirteenth and fourteenth Nienadowa, Galicia Field Sketch Maps from the Ukrainian Archives show a corner of Nienadowa that includes only lands owned by Count Eustachy Dembiński who lived in house number 1.

Nienadowa, Galicia - 1854 (Maps 13 & 14)

Nienadowa, Galicia – 1854 (Maps 13 & 14)

SOURCE: Map of the Village of Nienadowa, Galicia – 1854 (Maps 13 and 14).” Published 1854. Feldskizzen (Field Sketches), Fond 186, Opys 9, Sprava 611. State Historical Archives of Ukraine in Lviv, Lviv, Ukraine.

Click on the map above to view an enlarged image. This map fits in just to the left of maps 16 and 19.

These maps show that the lands of Count Dembiński nestled up against the shore of the San River.

Copyright © 2009 by Stephen J. Danko

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Nienadowa Field Sketches – Map 12

Posted on August 31, 2009 by Steve

The twelfth of the Nienadowa, Galicia Field Sketch Maps from the Ukrainian Archives shows more names from my family history, although this section of Nienadowa includes a significant area devoted to forests.

Nienadowa, Galicia - 1854 (Map 12)

Nienadowa, Galicia – 1854 (Map 12)

SOURCE: Map of the Village of Nienadowa, Galicia – 1854 (Map 12).” Published 1854. Feldskizzen (Field Sketches), Fond 186, Opys 9, Sprava 611. State Historical Archives of Ukraine in Lviv, Lviv, Ukraine.

Click on the map above to view an enlarged image. This map fits in just above Map 17.

The surnames on this map which are also in my family tree include:

  • Jędrzej Gergont in house number 77 (members of the Gergont family were Godparents of the Dańkos).
  • Szymon Gergont in house number 77 (members of the Gergont family were Godparents of the Dańkos).
  • Jan Głowacz in house number 234 (my step great grandmother was Zofia Głowacz).
  • Pawel Głowacz in house number 63 (my step great grandmother was Zofia Głowacz).
  • Józef Pilch in house number 68 (the midwife who delivered my grandfather and several other relatives was Agnieszka
    Pilch).
  • Marcin Pilch in house number 69 (the midwife who delivered my grandfather and several other relatives was Agnieszka Pilch).
  • Wawrzeniec Pilch in house number 59 (the midwife who delivered my grandfather and several other relatives was Agnieszka Pilch).
  • Wojciech Pilch in an unknown house number (the midwife who delivered my grandfather and several other relatives was Agnieszka Pilch).
  • Jan Sowa house number 77 (my third great grandfather was Wojciech Sowa).

Copyright © 2009 by Stephen J. Danko

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Nienadowa Field Sketches – Map 17

Posted on August 30, 2009 by Steve

As I continue to examine the Nienadowa, Galicia Field Sketch Maps from the Ukrainian Archives, I’m amazed at how surnames from my research keep appearing on all these maps.

Nienadowa, Galicia - 1854 (Map 17)

Nienadowa, Galicia – 1854 (Map 17)

SOURCE: Map of the Village of Nienadowa, Galicia – 1854 (Map 17).” Published 1854. Feldskizzen (Field Sketches), Fond 186, Opys 9, Sprava 611. State Historical Archives of Ukraine in Lviv, Lviv, Ukraine.

Click on the map above to view an enlarged image. This map fits in just above Map 18.

The surnames on this map which are also in my family tree include:

  • Kazimierz Chruścicki in an unknown house number (my step third great grandmother was Katarzyna Chruścicka).
  • Wojciech Dańko in house number 140 (Wojciech Dańko was my third great grandfather).
  • Maciej Gergont in house number 62 (members of the Gergont family were Godparents of the Dańkos).
  • Jan Głowacz in house number 234 (my step great grandmother was Zofia Głowacz).
  • Jędrzej Głowacz in house number 63 (my step great grandmother was Zofia Głowacz).
  • Maciej Głowacz in house number 62 (my step great grandmother was Zofia Głowacz).
  • Pawel Głowacz in house number 63 (my step great grandmother was Zofia Głowacz).
  • Szymon Głowacz in house number 63 (my step great grandmother was Zofia Głowacz).
  • Maciej Kazieńko in an unknown house number (members of the Kazieńko family were Godparents of the Dańkos).
  • Jan Kijonka in house number 134 (members of the Kijonka family were Godparents of the Dańkos).
  • Jędrzej Kijonka in an unknown house number (members of the Kijonka family were Godparents of the Dańkos).
  • Tomasz Kijonka in house number 134 (members of the Kijonka family were Godparents of the Dańkos).
  • Jan Pilch in an unknown house number (the midwife who delivered my grandfather and several other relatives was Agnieszka Pilch).
  • Józef Pilch in house number 68 (the midwife who delivered my grandfather and several other relatives was Agnieszka Pilch).
  • Marcin Pilch in an unknown house number (the midwife who delivered my grandfather and several other relatives was Agnieszka Pilch).
  • Pawel Pilch in house number 59 (the midwife who delivered my grandfather and several other relatives was Agnieszka Pilch).
  • Anna Sowa house number 201 (my third great grandfather was Wojciech Sowa).
  • Jakób Sowa house number 233 (my third great grandfather was Wojciech Sowa).
  • Jan Sowa house number 60 (my third great grandfather was Wojciech Sowa).
  • Piotr Sowa house number 23 (my third great grandfather was Wojciech Sowa).
  • Franciszek? Szymański in an unknown house number (my second great grandmother was Zofia Szymańska).
  • Maciej Szymański in house number 65 (my second great grandmother was named Szymańska).

Copyright © 2009 by Stephen J. Danko

Posted in Chruścicki, Dańko, Głowacz, Sowa, Szymański | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Nienadowa Field Sketches – Map 18

Posted on August 29, 2009 by Steve

Even though I’m about halfway through the Nienadowa, Galicia Field Sketch Maps from the Ukrainian Archives, I’m still finding names familiar to me from my own family history research.

Nienadowa, Galicia - 1854 (Map 18)

Nienadowa, Galicia – 1854 (Map 18)

SOURCE: Map of the Village of Nienadowa, Galicia – 1854 (Map 18).” Published 1854. Feldskizzen (Field Sketches), Fond 186, Opys 9, Sprava 611. State Historical Archives of Ukraine in Lviv, Lviv, Ukraine.

Click on the map above to view an enlarged image. This map fits in just to the right of Map 16.

The surnames on this map which are also in my family tree include:

  • Anna Bębenek in house number 43 (my first cousin, three times removed, Zofia Dańko, married Antoni Bębenek).
  • Jan Bębenek in house number 53 (my first cousin, three times removed, Zofia Dańko, married Antoni Bębenek).
  • Maciej Bębenek in house number 53 (my first cousin, three times removed, Zofia Dańko, married Antoni Bębenek).
  • Zofia Bębenek in house number 44 (my first cousin, three times removed, Zofia Dańko, married Antoni Bębenek).
  • Jędrzej Gergont in house number 50 (members of the Gergont family were Godparents of the Dańkos).
  • Marcin Janowski in house number 56 (members of the Janowski family were Godparents of the Dańkos).
  • Pawel Kazieńko in house number 49 (members of the Kazieńko family were Godparents of the Dańkos).
  • Anna Kijonka in house number 45 (members of the Kijonka family were Godparents of the Dańkos).
  • Pawel Klimczyk in house number 81 (members of the Klimczyk family were Godparents of the Dańkos).
  • Józef Pilch in house number 68 (the midwife who delivered my grandfather and several other relatives was Agnieszka Pilch).
  • Michał Pilch in an unknown house number (the midwife who delivered my grandfather and several other relatives was Agnieszka Pilch).
  • Wojciech Sowa house number 81 (my third great grandfather was Wojciech Sowa – in fact, this could be he).
  • Anna Szymańska in house number 48 (my second great grandmother was named Zofia Szymańska).
  • Jacób Szymański in house number 237 (my second great grandmother was named Zofia Szymańska).
  • Jacób Szymański in house number 48 (my second great grandmother was named Zofia Szymańska).
  • Katarzyna Szymańska in house number 48 (my second great grandmother was named Zofia Szymańska).
  • Kazimierz Szymański in house number 48 (my second great grandmother was named Zofia Szymańska).
  • Jan Wajda in house number 34 (Marcin Wajda travelled to America with my great aunt Marianna Dańko).
  • Jędrzej Wajda in house number 159 (members of the Wajda family were Godparents of the Dańkos).
  • Józef Wajda in house number 34 (members of the Wajda family were Godparents of the Dańkos).

Copyright © 2009 by Stephen J. Danko

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Nienadowa Field Sketches – Map 16

Posted on August 28, 2009 by Steve

I found more family surnames as I examined the Nienadowa, Galicia Field Sketch Map 16 from the Ukrainian Archives.

Nienadowa, Galicia - 1854 (Map 16)

Nienadowa, Galicia – 1854 (Map 16)

SOURCE: Map of the Village of Nienadowa, Galicia – 1854 (Map 16).” Published 1854. Feldskizzen (Field Sketches), Fond 186, Opys 9, Sprava 611. State Historical Archives of Ukraine in Lviv, Lviv, Ukraine.

Click on the map above to view an enlarged image. This map fits in just above Map 19.

The surnames on this map which are also in my family tree include:

  • Wawrzyniec Bębenek in house number 177 (my first cousin, three times removed, Zofia Dańko, married Antoni Bębenek).
  • Antoni Chruścicki in house number 154 (Rozalia Chruścicka was my step third great grandmother).
  • Maryanna Chruścicki in house number 154 (Katarzyna Chruścicka was the wife of my great grandfather).
  • Jan Gergont in house number 36 (members of the Gergont family were Godparents of the Dańkos).
  • Jędrzej Głowacz in house number 180 (my step-great grandmother was Zofia Głowacz).
  • Szymon Głowacz in an unknown house number (my step-great grandmother was Zofia Głowacz).
  • Anna Jach in an unknown house number (Katarzyna Jachowa was my second great grandmother).
  • Pawel Jach in house number 29 (Katarzyna Jachowa was my second great grandmother).
  • Jan Kijanka in house number 160 (members of the Kijonka family were Godparents of the Dańkos).
  • Wojciech Kijanka in house number 32 (members of the Kijonka family were Godparents of the Dańkos).
  • Jan Pilch in house number 125 (the midwife who delivered my grandfather and several other relatives was Agnieszka Pilch).
  • Józef Sowa in an unknown house number (my great grandmother was Agnieszka Sowa).
  • Zofia Szymańska in an unknown house number (my second great grandmother was named Zofia Szymańska – in fact, this could be she).
  • Michał Wajda in an unknown house number (Marcin Wajda travelled to America with my great aunt Marianna Dańko).
  • Szymon Wajda in an unknown house number (members of the Wajda family were Godparents of the Dańkos).

Copyright © 2009 by Stephen J. Danko

Posted in Bębenek, Chruścicki, Głowacz, Jach, Sowa, Szymański | Tagged , | Comments Off on Nienadowa Field Sketches – Map 16

Nienadowa Field Sketches – Map 9

Posted on August 27, 2009 by Steve

As I continue to examine the Field Sketch Maps from the Ukrainian Archives, I find more and more familiar surnames . While I don’t know how all these people are related to my own relatives with the same surname, I expect that, with the same surname, these residents of Nienadowa are probably family.

Nienadowa, Galicia - 1854 (Map 9)

Nienadowa, Galicia – 1854 (Map 9)

SOURCE: Map of the Village of Nienadowa, Galicia – 1854 (Map 9).” Published 1854. Feldskizzen (Field Sketches), Fond 186, Opys 9, Sprava 611. State Historical Archives of Ukraine in Lviv, Lviv, Ukraine.

Click on the map above to view an enlarged image. This map fits in just above Map 10.

The surnames on this map which are also in my family tree include:

  • Maciej Bal in house number 110 (Teresa Bal married my great uncle Marcin Dańko).
  • Piotr Bal in house number 104 (Several members of the Bal family were Godparents to the Dańkos).
  • Jan Dańko in house number 207 (I’m not sure how this Dańko is related to me).
  • Jakób Dańko in house number 226? (I’m not sure how this Dańko is related to me).
  • Szymon Dańko in house number 122 (I’m not sure how this Dańko is related to me).
  • Jędrzej Głowacz in house number 244 (my step-great grandmother was Zofia Głowacz).
  • Wojciech Pilch in house number 123 (the midwife who delivered my grandfather and several other relatives was Agnieszka Pilch).
  • Jędrzej Pilch in house number 117a (the midwife who delivered my grandfather and several other relatives was Agnieszka Pilch).
  • Jędrzej Sowa in house number 120 (my great grandmother was Agnieszka Sowa).
  • Kazimierz Sowa in house number 220 (my great grandmother was Agnieszka Sowa).
  • Maciej Sowa in house number 105 (my great grandmother was Agnieszka Sowa).
  • Tomasz Sowa in house number 220? (my great grandmother was Agnieszka Sowa).
  • Maciej Wajda in house number113 (Marcin Wajda travelled to America with my great aunt Marianna Dańko).

Copyright © 2008 by Stephen J. Danko

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Family Names on the Nienadowa Field Sketches

Posted on August 26, 2009 by Steve

In looking over the 1854 field sketches of Nienadowa, I found Wawrzyniec Trupiło, or rather I found two men named Wawrzyniec Trupiło, one named the elder and one named the younger.

Nienadowa, Galicia - 1854 (Map 19)

Nienadowa, Galicia – 1854 (Map 19)

SOURCE: Map of the Village of Nienadowa, Galicia – 1854 (Map 19).” Published 1854. Feldskizzen (Field Sketches), Fond 186, Opys 9, Sprava 611 . State Historical Archives of Ukraine in Lviv, Lviv, Ukraine.

Click on the map above to view an enlarged image.

I believe that Wawrzyniec Trupiło the elder is the father-in-law of Katarzyna Dańko, about whom I have written before. Wawrzyniec Trupiło’s land is very close to those of Count Eustachy Dembiński, a wealthy noble whose family owned Nienadowa. Eustachy Dembinski lived in house number 1. His lands occupy most of this map.

The surnames on this map which are also in my family tree include:

  • Wawrzyniec Trupiło in house number 16 (my probable second cousin twice removed, Katarzyna Dańko, married Wawrzyniec’s son Jan Trupiło).
  • Jan Bębenek in house number 24 (my first cousin, three times removed, Zofia Dańko, married Antoni Bębenek).
  • Wawrzyniec Bębenek in house number 28 (my first cousin, three times removed, Zofia Dańko, married Antoni Bębenek).
  • Jan Jach in house number 29 (my third great grandfather is Wojciech Jach).
  • Jan Pilch in house number 166 (the midwife who delivered my grandfather and several other relatives was Agnieszka Pilch).

In addition to learning where everyone in Nienadowa resided, these maps may actually be able to help me reconstruct some family lines. I really have to study these maps in detail.

Copyright © 2009 by Stephen J. Danko

Posted in Bębenek, Dańko, Jach, Tropiło | Tagged , | Comments Off on Family Names on the Nienadowa Field Sketches