Austria, Upper Austria, Hoheneck Collection - FamilySearch Historical Records

What is in This Collection?
This collection includes records 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 (Provincial Archives of Upper Austria), Linz, Austria. During the time of these records, Austria was part of the Holy Roman Empire. Its nobility system was comparable to that of Germany’s (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 commonly served and had great influence 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.

Reading These Records
This records are written in German. For help reading these records see the following:
 * German Word List
 * Germany Handwriting
 * Germany Resources
 * German Script Tutorial

Sample Images
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

Search the Index
When searching, it is helpful to know at least one of the following:
 * Your ancestor's name
 * Age and or residence
 * An estimated event year
 * A relative’s name

Fill in the requested information in the initial search page. This search will return a list of possible matches. Compare the information in the list to what you already know about your ancestor to determine if it is the correct family or person. You may need to compare several persons in the list before you find your ancestor.

How Do I Analyze the Results?
Compare each result from your search with what you know to determine if there is a match. This may require viewing multiple records or images. Keep track of your research in a research log.

What Do I Do Next?
Whenever possible, view the original records to verify the information and to find additional information that might not be reported. These pieces of information can lead you to additional records and family members.

I Found Who I Was Looking For, What Now?

 * Use the age in the record to find an approximate birth year, which will help you find their other records.
 * Use the information to find your ancestors in civil records. There may not be census records available but these can help you find additional family members.
 * Repeat this process with additional family members found to find more generations of the family.

I Can’t Find Who I’m Looking For, What Now?

 * Try viewing the original record to see if there were errors in the transcription of the name, age, residence, etc.
 * If you cannot locate your ancestor in the locality in which you believe they lived, then try searching records of a nearby locality in an area search.
 * Look for another index. Local genealogical and historical societies often have indexes to local records. *Standard spelling of names typically did not exist during the periods our ancestors lived in. Try variations of your ancestor’s name while searching the index or browsing through images.
 * Remember that sometimes individuals went by nicknames or alternated between using first and middle names. Try searching for these names as well.

Research Helps
The following articles will help you in your research for your family in Austria.
 * Research Tips and Strategies
 * Austria Record Finder

Citing This Collection
Citations help you keep track of places you have searched and sources you have found. Identifying your sources helps others find the records you used.