Czech Republic, School Registers - FamilySearch Historical Records

Czech Republic

What is in This Collection?
This collection consists of school records from the Opava State Regional Archive for the years 1800-1953. The records primarily come from the Moravia region (between Bohemia and Slovakia). There are six districts in that region: Bruntál, Frýdek-Místek, Nový Jičín, Olomouc, Opava, and Přerov.

The Czech Republic has only existed in its modern form since 1993, and it has undergone several major administrative changes over the last two centuries. Thus, in the period of this collection, the area encompassing the modern Czech Republic fell under the following jurisdictions:
 * Before 1806: Holy Roman Empire
 * 1806-1867: Austrian Empire
 * 1867-1918: Austro-Hungarian Empire
 * 1918-1948: Republic of Czechoslovakia
 * 1938-1946: Nazi occupation
 * 1948 onward: Soviet satellite state

Reading These Records
These records are writtenin Czech. For help with reading the records see the following:
 * Czech Republic Genealogical Word List
 * Czech Republic Language and Languages

What Can These Records Tell Me?
The following information may be found in these records:

School
 * Name of Child
 * Birth Date
 * Place of Birth
 * Country of Residence
 * Religion
 * Father's name
 * Father’s Place of Residence
 * Grades earned in various subjects taught

How Do I Search This Collection?
Before beginning a search in these records, it is best to know the full name of the individual in question, as well as an approximate time range for the desired record. When entered into the search engine on the Collection Page, this information provides the quickest, most reliable path to finding the correct person. Of course, other information can be substituted as necessary.

View the Images
View images in this collection by visiting the :


 * 1) Select Okres
 * 2) Select Obec
 * 3) Select Místo
 * 4) Select Volume number/letter, begin year, end year to view the images.

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.

I Found the Person I Was Looking For, What Now?

 * Make sure to fully transcribe and cite the index entry for future reference; see below for assistance in citing this collection
 * Look at an image of the original record, if possible. The online index entry generally lists only the most basic identifying information for an individual; the original record may contain further information which was not included in the index. Save or print a copy of the image if possible
 * Use the information which has been discovered to find more. For instance, use the age listed in the record to estimate a year of birth, if that is yet undetermined
 * Use the information which has been discovered to find the individual in other records
 * Continue to search the index to identify children, siblings, parents, and other relatives

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

 * Consult the Czech Republic Record Finder to find other records
 * The index entry might be inaccurate. If possible, look at an image of the actual record to verify the information listed in the index
 * When looking for a person with a common name, look at all the entries for the name before deciding which individual is correct. Use other information, such as place of birth, age, occupation, or names of parents, to determine which candidate is the correct person
 * Check for variants of given names and surnames. An individual might appear under a different name in a record for a variety of reasons
 * An individual might have been listed under a middle name, nickname, or abbreviation of their given name
 * Spelling was not standardized for much of the period of this collection, so names were often spelled as they were pronounced. Pay attention to how the name should have been pronounced and try spelling variations that could have that pronunciation
 * Vary the search terms. For example, search by either the given name or surname to return broader list of possible candidates which can then be examined for matches. Alternatively, try expanding the date range; this is especially useful in searching baptismal records, as it was not unusual for a child to be baptized weeks or even months after birth
 * Search the records of nearby locations. While it was uncommon for an individual in this period to move more than about 20 miles from their place of birth, smaller relocations were not uncommon

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

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.