Stephen Sisa : The Spirit of Hungary 1 Who Are the Magyars? A Chinese proverb states:. "Even a journey of a thousand miles begins with but a single step." It is very possible that the proto-Magyars wandered not a thousand miles but ten times that distance during the span of many centuries before arriving in their present homeland. Although some historians depict the Magyars as a people of European origin, the greater part of the evidence points to Asia. One thing is certain: they came from the East. The matter of dispute is from how far east? Search for a definitive answer to this question can be a frustrating experience. The best known theory of the Magyars' origin is the Finno-Ugrian(-Turkic) concept. The advocates of this theory believe in the linguistic and ethnic kinship of the Hungarians with the Finns, Esthonians, Ostyaks and Voguls. This concept places the ancient homeland of the Finno-Ugrians on both sides of the southern Urals, a relatively low mountain range (average altitude 3000 feet) which separates Europe from Asia.

Since the linguistic likeness of the Magyar language to the Finno-Ugrian family of languages has been firmly established, the advocates of this theory insist that the cradle of the Magyars could only have been situated in the Ural region. It was from there - so the theory goes - that around 2000 B.C. the Finnish branch broke away to finally settle in the Baltic area. Meanwhile, the proto-Magyars remained on the vast West Siberian steppes with other Ugrian peoples until around 500 B.C. (There is no satisfactory explanation, however, for how the Proto-Magyars, who had been forest dwelling hunters and gatherers along with the other Finno-Ugrians, became horse-breeders, livestock herding horsemen and warriors). Then the Magyars, now alone, crossed the Urals westward to settle in the area of present-day Soviet Bashkiria, situated north of the Black Sea and the Caucasus. Remaining there for centuries, they became neighbors of various Ural-Altaic peoples such as the Huns, Turkic-Bulgars, Alans and Onogurs.

Inevitably, these proto-Magyars adopted many of their neighbors' cultural traits and customs. Some ethnic mingling also occurred before the various Hungarian tribes, pressured by waves of migrating nomads, started their own migration westward toward the Carpathians. This Finno-Ugrian(-Turkic) theory was quasi sanctioned by the state from the middle of the 19th century to recent times. After World War II, however, this concept was challenged by a new coalition of scholars and orientalists. The Finno-Ugrian theory, they argue, is based on linguistics alone, without support in anthropology, archeology or written records. The orientalists point, instead, to apparent evidence that the cradle of the Magyars and their language lay not in the Ural region, but in an area of Central-Asia, earlier known as the Turanian Plain. Now known as Soviet Turkestan, this area stretches from the Caspian Sea eastward to Lake Balchas. Ancient chronicles called this huge area Scythia. A living tradition fed by centuries of folklore holds that the proto-Magyars were related to the Scythians, builders of a great empire in the fifth century B.C.

Greek and Latin authors freely referred to a great variety of peoples living within this empire as "Scythians," just as the varieties of peoples encompassed by the Soviet Union today are often called "Soviets." After the Scythian Empire disintegrated, the Turanian Plain witnessed the rise and fall of empires built between the first and ninth centuries A.D. by the Huns, Avars, Khazars and various Turkic peoples, including the Uygurs. The proto-Magyars absorbed new strains from these peoples, and formed tribal alliances from which later the Hungarian nation - an amalgam of Onogur, Sabir, Turkic and Ugrian peoples - was to be born. Today, students of Far-Eastern history believe that the Magyars were strongly exposed to Sumerian culture as well since proto-Sumerians too, had inhabited the Turanian Plain until about 3000 B.C. This people then migrated to Mesopotamia, where they built a brilliant civilization, whose most important achievement was the invention of writing. By 1950 B.C. the Sumerian empire was gone, but their cunei form writings endured on the tablets they had used.

Famous linguists of the 19th century, including Henry C. Rawlinson, Jules Oppert, Eduard Sayous and Fran�ois Lenormant soon found that knowledge of the Ural-Altaic languages - particularly 3 Magyar - can greatly facilitate the deciphering of Sumerian writings. Cunei form writing was used by the Hungarians long before their arrival in the Carpathian Basin, and afterwards as well. The similarity of the two languages strongly inspired Hungarian orientalists to seek a deeper Sumerian-Hungarian connection. To the present day, however, no indisputable and decisive proof has yet emerged. However; a by-product of orientalist speculations - a "Finno-Ugrian concept in reverse. " - is worthy of note. This concept holds that, if the proto-Magyars were neighbors of proto-Sumerians in the Turanian Plain, then the development of the Hungarian language must have been the result of Sumerian rather than Finno-Ugrian(-Turkic) influences.

In turn, this would mean that, rather than being the recipients of a Finno-Ugrian linguistic heritage, it was the Magyars themselves who must have conveyed their own proto-language, enriched by Sumerian, to the Finns and Estonians, without being ethnically related to them! Adding strength to this theory is the fact that the Magyars have always been numerically stronger than all their distant Finno-Ugrian neighbors combined. It is possible that Finns and Ugors received strong linguistic strains from a Magyar branch which had broken away from the main body on the Turanian Plain, and migrated to West Siberia. The Magyar-Uygur "Connection" Highly interesting in the quest for the ancient Hungarian homeland have been recent efforts to study the Magyar-Uygur connection. The Uygurs are a people with a Caucasian appearance in the Xinjiang province of China. This region still reflects its ancient role as a meeting place of Chinese civilization and Central Asia's nomadic peoples. Here, members of a dozen ethnic groups outnumber the nationally predominant Han Chinese. The largest among them are the Uygurs, 7 million strong, who still hold fast to their Turkic language.

The Uygurs inhabit the Tarim Basin and a chain of oases between the forbidding Taklamakan and Gobi deserts. Traversing the region is a 4,000 mile trade route used by caravans traveling from China to the shores of the Mediterranean. Taklamakan "in the folklore of the Uygurs means once you get in, you can never get out." Over the centuries the Uygurs have built intricate canal systems for waters originating in the snow-covered mountain ranges to the north. They also dug wells to supply water for growing grains, fruit, vegetables and cotton. At the Uygurs' northern border stretches the Dzungarian Basin, a steppe-like region where dry grain - farming is practiced. The very name Dzungaria has a striking similarity to Hungaria, the Latin word for Hungary, a word still used in poetic terms in Hungary today. Northeast of Dzungaria lies the Altai Mountain Range, a name used by linguists in defining the Ural-Altaic language group to which Magyar also belongs. Further to the north stretches the Lake Baykal region. It is from here that first the Scythians, then the Huns emerged to conquer the Turanian Plain.

The Magyars, Uygurs and the Turks may also have started their migrations from the northeastern part of the Baykal area. Given all these circumstances, it is no wonder that the most famous Hungarian explorer, S�ndor K�r�si-Csoma, pointed toward the land of the Uygurs in his quest, which started in 1819, for the ancient Magyar homeland. Unfortunately, neither he nor �rmin V�mb�ry, another Hungarian explorer of international fame, was able to reach the land of the Uygurs, due to forbidding deserts and mountain ranges, and marauding bandits. Sir Aur�l Stein. a third internationally famous Hungarian explorer did succeed in reaching Xinjiang with his expedition in 1913, but exploring the Uygur area regarding the origin of the Magyars was beyond his mission of collecting artifacts for the British Museum. It was not until the 1980s that Hungarian orientalists could finally overcome natural and political barriers to finally take a good look at the Uygurs.

They returned impressed by what they had seen, and one after the other gave glowing accounts, documented by audio-visual presentations, of the similarities in facial features, music and folk arts. In addition, reports mention that the Uygurs have an unwritten tradition about their kinship with the Magyars whom they call "vingirs," and who had left many centuries earlier finally emerging as "conquerors" in Europe. 4 Until further anthropological, archeological and linguistic research is conducted, however, drawing definite conclusions would be premature. This might take long years, because in April, 1990 China declared Xinjiang an "off limit" area again to foreigners. Anti-Chinese agitation among the Uygurs is attributed to the ban. However, one fact stands out in the labyrinth of various theories and that is the undeniable Asiatic influence which is expressed in various forms among Hungarians even today. Legends and folk tales reach back much further in time than the pens of historians. Magyar folk tales are strikingly similar to those of Asian peoples. The structure of Magyar folk music, which uses the pentatonic scale, also points to Asian origins.

"We actually have two mother tongues," said Zolt�n Kod�ly, the Hungarian musical genius of this century. "One is the spoken language of Finno-Ugric origin, and the other is the language of our music, which is the westernmost branch of a great Asian musical culture extending from China through Middle Asia to our area." The famous gate ornaments of the Sz�kelys in Transylvania bear a strong resemblance to those in the pagodas of China. Their tombstones (made of wood) are similar to those seen in Chinese cemeteries. Interestingly, the color of mourning in some parts of Hungary, notably in Somogy County, is the same as in parts of Asia - white. Hungarian cuisine - using strong spices and seasonings such as paprika, pepper, saffron, and ginger - also bears the imprint of Asian influence. as do the patterns used in national folk costumes. Former premier Count P�l Teleki, perhaps the highest authority on Hungarian history and geography, once said: "I profess with pride, both here and abroad, that we are a people of Asian origin!" The Hun and Avar Connection The best known Magyar folk tale is the Legend of the White Stag..

It describes how two sons of Nimrod, Hunor and Magor, were lured into a new land by a fleeing white stag. There they married the king's daughters. The descendants of Hunor and his men became known as the Huns, and the descendants of Magor and his men became known as Magyars. This legend contains a grain of truth in that it points to the common origin of the Huns and Magyars, which Hungarians have known since time immemorial. Surprisingly, Hungarians are proud of their origin despite the bad reputation given to the Huns and their leader, Attila, by Western history books. Most writings describe Attila the Hun as cruel and ruthless, with one notable exception - the famous German Nibelungen-Lied mentions him thus: "There was a mighty king in the land of the Huns whose goodness and wisdom had no equal." Wherever the truth may lie, cruelty and man's inhumanity to man have always been characteristics of human behavior. Actually, the Vandals were much worse than the Huns, so much so that their terrible "character" has been immortalized by the word "vandal" itself.

In comparison, Attila was also less cruel than Cortez, Pizarro, and Ivan the Terrible. Would these conquerors have shown Rome mercy, as Attila did, when the Pope pleaded with him outside the gates of the Eternal City? Genserich, Belizar the Saracens, the Norsemen, and 1000 years later (in 1527) the German and Spanish mercenary troops all pillaged Rome without heed. In the midst of Oriental and barbaric splendor, Attila's simplicity stamped him a true soldier. Delegates from Byzantium related with wonder that the mighty Hun chief used only a wooden goblet and wooden plate during the sumptuous banquets they had attended. At that time. Attila's empire extended from the Rhine River to the Caspian Sea, and from the Baltic Sea to the Lower Danube. But. as with many quickly created empires. Attila's realm fell to pieces soon after his early death on his nuptial night in 453 A.D. Rivalry broke out among his sons, and the Huns who had threatened Gaul and Rome withdrew to the East between the Don and Kuhan rivers.

There they disintegrated into various nomadic tribes. After the tide of the Huns had peaked and ebbed, further waves of peoples moved in to take their place, but all were crushed by the Avars, a quickly emerging branch of the Ural-Altaic group. They succeeded in founding an empire whose heart was in the area once held by the Huns: the territory between the Danube and Tisza rivers in the Carpathian Basin. The Avars' peculiar weapon was the gladius hunnicus, the Huns' curved sabre. They raised circular bulwarks and dug entrenchments, the traces of which can still be seen in scattered locations. The Avars' downfall was hastened by the development of Charlemagne's Frankish Empire. Their armies clashed in a fierce war of attrition that lasted seven years, from 796 to 803 A.D. After their defeat by Frankish troops, most Avar tribes returned to the slopes of the Caucasian Mountains. Some others, however, stayed and mingled with the Slavs of the area and later with the Magyars.

When the Magyars tinder �rp�d arrived in their new homeland, they found that they were welcomed as brethren by the sparse population ill some areas. According to the Teri-i-�ng�r�sz chronicle: "When they arrived in the land, they saw its many rivers teeming with fish, the land rich in fruits and 5 vegetables, and members of other tribes, some of whom understood their language." But this seemingly simple progression into the Carpathian Basin is only part of the story, as we shall see. Black Magyars and White Magyars Ancient Chinese geographical directions, not skin color, form the basis for the distinction between the "black" branch and the "white" branch of the Magyars. Contrary to the Western compass, the Chinese held that there were, five cardinal directions, the fifth being "the center of the universe", China itself. Each of the five directions was symbolized by a color. The central point, China, was indicated by yellow, for the gold that befit His Imperial Highness. The North, so often shrouded by the dark of Arctic nights, was black.

The West was given white, a color that reflected the blinding white sands of the vast deserts on the western horizon. Red denoted the sunny South, and the East was symbolized by blue, the color of the ocean eternally washing China's eastern shores. Based on these color symbols, the White Magyars ("white ugurs") represented the Western branch of their race. According to ancient Russian chronicles, the White Magyars appeared in the Carpathian Basin as early as 670-680 A.D., first with the Bulgars, and later with the Avars. The second branch of Magyar tribes - called Black Magyars in ancient Russian chronicles - took a different route. The directions that route took are still debated by Finno-Ugrian and orientalist theorists, but the final outcome is that the Black Magyars became connected with peoples belonging to the Ural-Altaic groups. These included a range of peoples from Manchuria to Turkey. Among these groups the Finno-Ugrian/Magyars drew closest to the Turks, who were fierce warriors with a talent for statecraft.

This association with the Turks created a new blend of Magyar: Finno-Ugrian in language but Ural-Altaic in culture. This was the breed of Magyars that in 896 A.D. would ride into the Carpathian Basin under �rp�d - following the footsteps of the 'White Magyars who appeared in the Carpathian Basin in the 670s A.D. But for now, �rp�d's Magyars were still many hundreds of miles away from that area, engaged in a struggle for survival among warlike nomads. In a protracted scramble for living space, the Magyars were pushed closer to the West by their powerful enemies, the Petchenegs (besseny�k), until they settled in what was called Lebedia, named after their leader, Lebed. But the relentless onslaught of their enemies continued and finally, breaking under the strain, a small group of Magyars split from the main body and moved back to their former homeland in the Volga region, Baskiria (later dubbed Magna Hungaria).

The main group moved farther west and attempted to settle an area known as Etelk�z, between several rivers, not far from the foothills of the Carpathians. Even here, in Etelk�z, Bulgarian and Petcheneg harassment continued. About this time, in the eighth and ninth centuries, Christian missionaries frequently traveled over the Carpathian Mountains, bringing with them news of Pannonia, the western part of the Carpathian Basin beyond the Danube. Their tales rekindled memories of the Hun-Avar-Magyar kinship and must surely have played a major role in pushing the leaders of the Magyar tribes to a fateful decision: they must find a new homeland,. defensible against present and future enemies. What followed was the Hungarian equivalent of "Westward, ho'." 6 A Covenant of Blood-with a "Flaw" By the time their chieftains had decided to go west and cross over into the Carpathian Basin, the Magyars were a well organized tribal alliance. Their society was clearly divided into social strata, administered by councils on the clan and tribal levels. However, their leaders were empowered to take arbitrary measures in cases of emergency.

They formed a democratic society which was constantly on military alert. Knowing that difficult and dangerous times lay ahead, the tribal chieftains decided to unite under a single Supreme Chief. (There were 108 clans represented by the seven Magyar tribes and the three Kabar tribes that had recently joined with the Magyars. The chiefs assembled under a large tent, with their people as witnesses around its square perimeter. Each chief in turn slit his forearm, and let his blood flow into a cup. Last to contribute his blood was �rp�d, their newly chosen leader The t�ltos (shaman) who presided at this rite mixed wine with the blood that had thus been collected. He then poured a small amount of the mixture onto the ground, sprinkled a few drops north, south, east, and west, and then passed the cup to the chiefs, who drank from it one by one. From this day forward, "the t�ltos declared," the Magyars, the Huns, and the Kabars shall be one nation indivisible, just as your blood has become one in this cup. �rp�d, the chosen Supreme Chief was last to drink from the cup.

Thereupon, according to custom: he was raised on a shield and duly installed in his new role as Supreme Chief... In this manner the Covenant of Blood forged one nation, thereafter known as the Hungarian nation. The terms of the Covenant of Blood were simple enough. Any land obtained by common effort would be shared fairly by all members of the nation. The land was to be held by individuals as their rightful property (not in fief from their lord, as in the medieval principle of feudalism). The elected sovereign (�rp�d, in this case) was to rule by the will of the nation rather than by absolute Divine Right, and �rp�d's descendants would be hereditary rulers. The covenant did not lay down exact rules of succession since it was assumed that, according to tradition, the oldest able-bodied male of the family would inherit the leadership. But this principle of succession, known as senioratus, was regarded as outdated in contemporary Europe, where the Christian rulers preferred the system of primogeniture, according to which the first-born son would inherit the throne. This conflict of principles would later result in bloody rivalries among �rp�d's successors after the introduction of Christianity into Hungary.

With the election of their new leader, it was only a matter of time before the Hungarians would set forth to conquer the coveted land. When the Petchenges renewed their attacks in 895 A.D., �rp�d alerted his people to prepare for the crossing of the Carpathians. 7 Slovakia Genealogy Research Strategies Slovakia Genealogy Research Strategies Online Hungary Census Records: Arcanum | National Archives of Hungary Research Application: The 1869 Census is the most complete population census, of great value to genealogical researchers. It contains the entire enumeration of all villagers, including residence, age, religion, and relationship. The other Census are generally enumerations of estate possessions, used for taxation purposes. Individual land ownership is enumerated, but usually only contains head of household and no demographic information. These notes which were originally written for Slovakia researchers are generally useful to anyone exploring Hungarian Census records. This includes present-day Hungary, Yugoslavia, Bosnia, Herzegovina, Ukraine, Romania/Banat and other pre-1918 Hungary territories. While there are specific notes and indices for Slovakia, many people have found this work useful for providing general guidance.

TOPIC 1828 Village Cross-Reference List ( MS Word ) ( PDF ) 1828 Header Translations by Juraj Kumičï¿½k This is an Ecclesiastical Census. The online " Dvorzsï¿½k Gazetteer " (Pï¿½cs University) and the 2005 "Genealogical Gazetteer of the Kingdom of Hungary" derive their data from this census. Bratislava No Many Census were conducted by the Kingdom of Hungary.ï¿½ We will make general comments about all, but will focus in on four census which are available at the Family History Library 1775, 1828, 1857, 1869. Reports about other available census are provided through the generosity of our readers. Please note that there are more census available in the Hungary Archives that are not listed herein. We have purposely focused on those census which we have first-hand knowledge. General Comments: Prior to the emancipation of the peasants (1858) only the names of landowners were listed.

The 1869 Census is of the greatest value to the genealogical researcher, as it required all residents be enumerated and is the most comprehensive of all available census. As a general rule, old, Magyar (Hungarian) place names are used in the census documents. Language of headings varies. Latin and Magyar are most common. It is sometimes found that the header is in one language and the actual entries in a second language. Listed in the table below is generally where the documents related to territories in Slovakia will most often be found today. Most all pre-1918 census related to property in Slovakia have remained in the Hungary Archive. Census Descriptions Relating to Slovakia Present-day Location of Records Online via Arcanum | 1715 Census Example | Using Arcanum This is a "Urbarim Register" (possession inventory) for the Feudal Estates. It includes a listing of all village heads of household who owned property and its description. Available for purchase from the Hungary National Archives. Not very useful for genealogy (family tree) research.

Juraj Kumičï¿½k purchased from the Central Archives in Budapest a microfilm roll containing 1715 Census records for all of Zemplen County. Price was approximately 50 Euros (2004). Contains over 350 pages (about 1-2 village per page). Juraj notes that the Census provides full names of heads of landowner households for each village. It is reported that the year 1715 followed a severe epidemic as the population was significantly lower than had been previously reported. (2004) Available Online The 1715 Census is now available Online at Arcanum . This was a joint project of the Hungary National Archives and Arcanum. Each census page has a list of surnames transcribed to a web page. The web interface is in Magyar (Hungarian). CAUTION: This is a commercial site. Often the information is initially available for free, but later on it is offered for sale. It is strongly recommended that you SAVE your images of interest locally. Peter Nagy has composed a very good tutorial on how to use the database .

I have created an abbreviated set of instructions on using Arcanum , but Peter's work is more complete. You may query by any text, including but not limited to village name, estate name, surname. Also online is an option labeled: Elmenekï¿½ltek ï¿½sszeï¿½rï¿½sa 1717. (Translated: fled/getaway census 1717) which we assume are the serfs that decamped after 1715 and in/before 1717. Available for select regions only. (Tip from Alan Antoska, 3/2005) 1775 Urbarial Census (Feudal Land Tenancy Census Records) - At the National Archives of Hungary , Selected Films at the FHL This is a "Urbarim Register" (possession inventory) for the Feudal Estates. It includes a listing of all village heads of household who owned property and its description. Not very useful for genealogy (family tree) research. 1775 Feudal Land Tenancy Census Records Sample Images Defines the goods and services that a serf was obligated to give the feudal lord.

Includes names of landowners and serfs. Written in Latin. Copies of these census are found at the Family History Center, filed under "Slovakia", under the category of "Slovakia - Taxation", with the following heading: "Urbï¿½ri tabellï¿½k, 1767-1773", starting film number 1529947 , organized by county and village name. Uses old Magyar village names. FHL collection consist of all records from old Hungary, including many countries like Slovakia which are no longer a part of Hungary. This census would be good for the historical researcher. Practically no value for genealogical research. 1787 Urbarial Census - At National Archives of Hungary This is a "Urbarim Register" (possession inventory) for the Feudal Estates. It includes a listing of all village heads of household who owned property and its description. Not very useful for genealogy (family tree) research. Juraj Kumičï¿½k writes that he purchased a roll of 1787 Census but discovered it does not contain any names contrary to what was claimed during ordering correspondence.

It appears to be only a summary for the whole county. Juraj believes that Budapest keeps the sheets with the names but one can see them only paying a personal visit. Juraj plans to visit Budapest at some point to investigate (2005). 1828 Census Document Examples A property and conscription census was conducted in 1828. Property holder census usually do not contain every village resident. Most often, the landowner, and sometimes the head of each household is listed, without detail as to their age or other personal data. Does not enumerate nobility. This census is written in Latin. Not very useful for genealogy (family tree) research. Update, April, 2011: Miles Lambert sent me a note regarding a new Hungary National Archives (MOL) site for family research. Miles Writes: "It contains the (Ed. Note: Transcribed) 1828 census for Saros county ... The larger third of Saros county was at that time largely Rusyn, and the surnames are listed by village... As usual, the census cannot be considered complete, in the sense that not every family name will appear, since mostly they are listing taxpayers (taxable persons).

Nevertheless, it reveals the whereabouts of many families at the time..." 1828 Census Village List ( MS Word ) ( PDF ) JOHN ADAM has generously produced a Slovakia reference document ( MS Word or PDF formats). Accented characters have been replaced with English characters. This document contains all counties in old Hungary, not only the Slovakia territories. Using this document is the only quick way to locate a village on the census. The FHL has NOT indexed these villages in their "place name" search tool, although using "keyword search" may help you locate a village. Resources: JewishGen has tabulated the Jewish population contained in this record and created a database with this information. The JewishGen site also contains census header information. Contains good introductory material and a description of the data items collected, along with a census example image.

Copies of these census are found at the Family History Center, filed under "Slovakia", under the category of "Census", with the following heading: "Vagyonï¿½sszeï¿½rï¿½s, 1828, Census of the taxable population of Hungary, 1828", starting film number 622941, organized by county and village name. Uses old Magyar village names. This census is of limited value for genealogical researcher, showing primarily heads of household. 1848 Census of Jews - At National Archives of Hungary , Selected Films at FHL Resources: JewishGen has conducted substantial work on the transcription of these records. See their 1848 Census Page for Details. The FHL has filmed these records for most of Hungary, including territories found in present-day Slovakia. 1857 Census - At National Archives of Hungary , Selected Films at FHL A partial census of selected villages. The Family History Center contains records of old Hungary counties of Esztergom and Zemplï¿½n. Not of much value to the genealogical researcher unless your village is amongst the dozen or so listed. Village names in Magyar.

Copies of these census are found at the Family History Center, filed under "Slovakia", under the category of "Census", with the following heading: "Nï¿½pszï¿½mlï¿½lï¿½s, 1857 : Esztergom " and "Nï¿½pszï¿½mlï¿½lï¿½s, 1857 : Zemplï¿½n ". Starts with film number 720178. 1869 Census Index of Slovakia villages - Selected Films at FHL The 1869 census is the most valuable for genealogical researchers.

Files for almost every village village existing in 1869 are included, organized by alphabetically, then by house number.ï¿½ The house numbers may have been assigned arbitrarily by the census taker, affixed to the house or some other method.ï¿½ There is no way to ascertain that a house number today corresponds to the house number recorded in 1869.ï¿½ The number of rooms, doors, windows, floors, barns and other outbuildings describes each house.ï¿½ Listed are each occupantï¿½s name, role, relationship, birth date, birthplace, occupation, religion, ethnicity, literacy, and other items.ï¿½ Also included is a detailed inventory of livestock, probably their most valued asset. Examples are shown below. The census for and its record keeping was usually recorded in the Magyar (Hungarian) language.ï¿½ Some versions contain only Magyar, while others include a combination of Ukrainian and Magyar.ï¿½ Other areas of present-day Slovakia, especially to the West, contain may contain other languages, such as Slovak.

The census contains one four-page entry for each residence.ï¿½ Each entry contains three parts: Livestock, Buildings, and People.ï¿½ All data was recorded on a columnar form.ï¿½ The documents are usually ordered as shown below, with Livestock page first. The "people" pages are in sets of two, and repeated if addtional pages were required. I have developed a Magyar-English translation chart for each of the column headers.ï¿½ Livestock Sample Interpreted Table: 1869 Census Examples These are by no means complete or 100% accurate, but do contain a majority of the commonly used words. It is quite simple for a reader fluent in any language to read these films, as they are tabular: name, birth date, religion, etc. Once one has become acclimated to what data are found in each column, it's easy to recognize surnames, given names, place names and numerical dates.ï¿½ A census overview and reading tips written by Nancy Kelly previously linked here is no longer available.

The tricky part is that most village names had Magyar (Hungarian) names , quite a bit different from the Slovak place names in use today. Other Resources: Here is another web page with 1828 and 1869 Census interpretations and 1869 samples .

Czech & Ukraine Territories Please note that the same census was conducted for present-day Czech Republic and the Ukraine.ï¿½ However, you will find the language and phrases of the headings are different, though the sequence and content of each column is similar.ï¿½ Header translations for the Czech census are provided by Czech Census Searchers.ï¿½ (Thanks to Naartjie from South Africa for these pointers.) General Census Reading Tips Bear in mind that a census is but a ï¿½snapshot in time.ï¿½ï¿½ It will not necessarily enumerate an entire nuclear family in one dwelling.ï¿½ï¿½ Sons or daughters could be servants in another home, transient migrant workers, son conscripted to military service, etc.ï¿½ Younger children may not yet be born.ï¿½ Mothers may later die and the father remarries.ï¿½ In many cases, you will see a father/mother/children family living with an ï¿½old mother,ï¿½ who is oftentimes the mother of one of the parents.ï¿½ So as you view these families, you must learn to read between the lines.

Occasionally you will find two or three families in the same home.ï¿½ In rural villages, most homes were a one-space home, perhaps 15 feet x 15 feet, which makes for some pretty cramped living. Mormon Family History Library - Easiest Place to Find the 1869 Census Films 1869 FHL Holdings Lucky for us, the Mormonï¿½s Family History Library (FHL) has filmed the 1869 census (I can only speak with certainty about present-day Slovakia. The Ukraine portion is was not allowed to be filmed, though portions of present-day Hungary territories were filmed.)ï¿½ï¿½ However, as of late 2003, they have only published census records for only eight of the former counties now in Slovakia: Szepes, Komï¿½rom, Sï¿½ros, Esztergom, Bars, Abauj-Torna, Zemplï¿½n and Nyitra.

Since the Mormons will not publicly commit to any publication date, you have two choices: a) wait and uncertain wait or b) write to the regional Slovak Republic Archives (there is a fee for this) and have them extract the data for you. Luckier still, the Mormonï¿½s have indexed the census by present-day place name, with a parenthetical reference to the old Hungarian place name.ï¿½ This will help you ascertain the old Hungarian name and vica-versa. Important: Note that only the VILLAGE NAME INDEX will be found online. No census data is available online (except for the handful of individuals that have independently transcribed their village.)ï¿½ You will need to visit a Family History Center near you to request and view the films containing the census. There are three ways to locate the village of interest in the FHL films: 1.

Manually look through the FHL index, film by film, starting at the first film in the series Go to the Family History Library main catalog search page .ï¿½ Search under "Hungary" (it covers Slovakia, formerly part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire).ï¿½ Copies of these census are found at the Family History Center, filed under "Slovakia", under the category of "Slovakia - Census - 1869 ", with subheadings organized by old county name. The title for the set of films you are seeking is shown below: Title:ï¿½ï¿½ Nï¿½pszï¿½mlï¿½lï¿½s, 1869ï¿½ Authors:ï¿½ Magyar Statisztikai Hivatal (Main Author)ï¿½ Notes:ï¿½ Az eredeti iratok mikrofilmrevï¿½tele Budapesten a Magyar Orszï¿½gos Levï¿½ltï¿½rban tï¿½rtï¿½nt. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1869 census of Zemplï¿½n County, Hungary, which is divided now between Slovakia and Hungary.

Starts with film number 2192680. On the films, places are listed alphabetically according to the Magyar (Hungarian) place name used in 1869. Modern Slovak names (or sometimes modern Hungarian names) are in the parenthesis.ï¿½ Look through the film notes.ï¿½ You will find villages organized alphabetically.ï¿½ The last several pages of the final film contain statistical summaries of the census. 2. FHL Keyword Search Go to the Family History Library main catalog search page . Do a keyword search and enter your (Magyar/Hungarian) village name. It will search all fields (including the film notes, where villages are noted in the 1869 census.) Results will also include any other reference to the village. It is a literal search, so if you spell it incorrectly, your mileage will vary. You will still need to either scroll through the film topic index to find the exact film number or use the survey tables I've compiled below. It is best when you want a quick read on whether or not the FHL contains records a specific village.

1869 Census Village Cross-Reference Lists (various formats) I compiled these data tables which cross reference historic names to present-day names. I have compiled a set of indexes for the place names presently listed in the 1869 Magyar Census material for Slovakia as held at the Family History Library. Until "Keyword search" facility became available in 2003, this was the best way to locate a village. It's quite useful when you know what the village sounds like, but don't know the precise spelling. Sometimes skimming through an ordered list is a useful approach. 1877 Census - At National Archives of Hungary A town-by-town count of religious congregants, organized by faith and summarized by district and county based on the 1877 Magyar Census. Sometimes called an "Ecclesiastical Census." Contains an indication of the location of the primary parish. Used as the source data for the Dvorzsï¿½k Gazetteer and the Genealogical Gazetteer of the Kingdom of Hungary . It is only available at the Hungary National Archives.

Translation Dictionaries and Sources Hungarian -English Dictionary - GenealogyRO Group ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½Take care in their use however.ï¿½ Most dictionaries, print and electronic utilize contemporary spelling and vocabulary only.ï¿½ You may often find Magyar words that are not listed in any dictionary you have access to.ï¿½ In this case, it may be reasonable to assume it is written in an alternate form / old style of Magyar spelling.ï¿½ï¿½ Church Records Frequent Hungarian terms oft found in the church registers have been compiled by John Jaso .ï¿½ There are only a few words in this list that are relevant however for use with the census. Feudal Terminology and Social Strata under Serfdom Prior to emancipation of the Serfs in the 1850's, an exacting stratification of villager's roles existed. Most of the titles are obsolete today. References to the stratification terminology are listed below and can be helpful in decoding pre-1850's census, tax and land records. Hungary's Ethnic German Farmers around 1800 , Felix G.

Game - while this page was written with Germans in mind, the description of the four social levels is extremely valuable. A very useful briefing on pre-1848 social status in Hungary by Vladimir Bohinc Feudal Terminology - Dictionaries and descriptions of words often found in Land, Tax and Census Records The scope of this website is limited to peasant stock. Research of nobles is fairly well supported by various organizations and endeavors. 1910 Population Census of Hungary (date of record 31 December 1910) This census did not survive. Summary village and national statistics are available from various sources. My favorite is the following, of which I hold a copy: ATLAS AND GAZETTEER OF HISTORIC HUNGARY 1914 (based on 1910 Census) (Second edition of Administrative Atlas of Hungary 1914) "Magyarorszï¿½g kï¿½zigazgatï¿½si atlasza 1914", Talma Publishers . This is a wonderful book, worth purchasing if you are interested in a snapshot in time of the entire region.

For each village it not only contains fairly detailed period map, but an Index of Village names used in 1910 to 1914. For each village, the population, ethnic and religious makeup is provided. It can also give you clues when trying to determine what church your family went to and where it could have been located. The data is taken from the 1910 Census and the 1913/14 Gazetteers. 1921 Population Census of Czechoslovakia (date of record 15 February 1921) This census did not survive. 1930 Population Census of Czechoslovakia This census survived and is preserved in the Slovakia National Archives. It is available to researchers by writing to the archives (in the Slovak Language), stating which village and the purpose for your inquiry. Inquire to: Slovenskï¿½ Nï¿½rodnï¿½ Archï¿½v: archiv@sna.vs.sk Credit and Thanks to Jim Nickel for information on the 1910, 1921 and 1930 Census Links to off-site webs will open in a new window. Please disable your pop-up stopper.

Last Update: 27 April 2013 Copyright ï¿½ 2003-2013, Bill Tarkulich Hungarian language, alphabet and pronunciation Search Hungarian (magyar) Hungarian is an Ugric language with about 15 million speakers in Hungary (Magyarország), Romania, Serbia, Ukraine and Slovakia. There are also many people of Hungarian origin in the UK and other European countries, the USA, Canada and Australia. Hungarian is a highly inflected language in which nouns can have up to 238 possible forms. It is related to Mansi, an Ob-Ugric language with about 4,000 speakers who live in the eastern Urals, and Khanty or Ostyak, the other Ob-Ugric language which is spoken by about 15,000 people in the Ob valley of western Siberia.

The earliest written text in Hungarian was a funeral oration (halotti beszéd) written in 1196, and the first complete book to be printed in Hungarian, Az zenth Paal leueley magyar nyeluen (The letters of Saint Paul in the Hungarian language) by Benedek Komjáti, was published in 1533 in Kraków in Poland. Hungarian literature flourished during the 18th and 19th centuries. Hungarian alphabet (magyar ábécé) and pronunciation Q (kú), W (dupla vé), X (iksz) and Y (ipszilon) are also used, but only in foreign loanwords. Sample text in Hungarian Minden emberi lény szabadon születik és egyenlő méltósága és joga van. Az emberek, ésszel és lelkiismerettel bírván, egymással szemben testvéri szellemben kell hogy viseltessenek. Hear a recording of this text Translation All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.

They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood. (Article 1 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights) The Magyars Magyar Origins When the Magyar people entered the land of Europe, they seemed a part of the Turkic hordes roaming between South-Eastern Europe and Central Asia. Greater evidence points to Asia as the Magyar's original homeland. Exactly what part of Asia has been a matter of dispute for generations, but it is clear that the Magyars came from the East. The horse was the most important animal to the Magyars. They both traveled and fought on horseback during their long migrations from the east and eventually into what is present day Hungary. Their weapons and style of fighting were identical with those of the Huns, Avars and other mounted nomadic peoples. But the Magyars were a distinct group separate from the Huns, Avars and Turks. Finno-Ugrian Theory The most widely accepted theory of the Magyar's origin is the Finno-Ugrian concept.

Advocates of this theory believe the linguistic and ethnic kinship between the Hungarians and the Finns, Esthonians, Ostyaks and Voguls provide evidence for the origin of the Magyars. This relation of the Magyars with the Finns places the ancient homeland of the Finno-Ugrians on both sides of the southern Ural Mountains. The advocates of this theory insist that Magyars came from this group in the Urals, and as the theory explains, it was about 2000 B.C. that the Finnish branch broke away to settle in the Baltic area. The Magyars remained on the West Siberian steppes with the other Ugrian peoples until 500 B.C. It was then that the Magyars crossed the Urals westward to settle in what is present day Soviet Bashkiria, north of the Black Sea and the Caucasus. The Magyars remained here for centuries with the various Ural-Altaic peoples such as the Huns, Turkic Bulgars, Alans and Onogurs.

The Magyars soon adopted many cultural traits and customs of these people and it was from the region of Soviet Bashkiria that the Magyars started their migration westward toward the Carpathians. After World War II, the Finno-Ugrian theory was challenged by scholars who argued that the Finno-Ugrian theory was based on linguistics alone, without support in anthropology, archeology or written records. Orientalist Theory Scholars known as orientalists believe that the origin of Magyars and their language is not found in the Urals, but in Central Asia known as the Turanian Plain or Soviet Turkestan which stretches from the Caspian Sea eastward to Lake Balchas. Ancient history has traditionally called this region Scythia. Folklore holds that the Magyars are related to the Scythians who built the great empire of the 5th century B.C. After the Scythian empire dissolved, the Turanian Plain witnessed the rise and fall of empires built between the first and ninth centuries A.D. by the Huns, Avars, Khazars and various Turkic peoples, including the Uygurs.

The Magyars subsequently absorbed much of the culture and tradition of these peoples and many Onogur, Sabir, Turkic, and Ugrian people were assimilated with the Magyars, resulting in the Magyar amalgam, which entered the Carpathian Basin in the later half of the ninth century A.D. Scholars of Far Eastern history believe that the Magyars were also exposed to the Sumerian culture in the Turanian Plain. Linguists of the 19th century, including Henry C. Rawlinson, Jules Oppert, Eduard Sayous and Francois Lenormant found that knowledge of the Ural-Altaic languages such as Magyar, helps to decipher Sumerian writings. Cunei form writing was found to be used by the Magyars long before they entered the Carpathian Basin. The similarity of the two languages has led orientalists to form a Sumerian-Hungarian connection. The orientalists speculate that a reverse of the Finno-Ugrian theory may be possible.

The theory holds that if the proto-Magyars were neighbors of the proto-Sumerians in the Turanian Plain, then the evolution of the Hungarian language must have been a result of Sumerian rather than Finno-Ugrian influences. The theory in turn holds that rather than being the recipients of a Finno-Ugrian language, it was the Magyars who imparted their language to the Finns and Estonians without being ethnically related to them. What scholars site for added evidence for this theory is the fact that the Magyars have always been numerically stronger than their Finno-Ugrian neighbors combined. The theory believes that the Finns and Ugors received linguistic strains from a Magyar branch who had broken away from the main body on the Turanian Plan, and migrated to West Siberia. The Magyar-Uygur Theory The connection between the Magyars and the Uygurs tie Hungarians even closer to Asia. The Uygurs are people who live in the Xinjiang province of China. The Uygurs are Caucasian in appearance and maintain a Turkic language. To the north of the Uygar's border stretches the Dzungarian Basin which has a striking similarity to the word Hungarian.

Northeast of the Dzungaria lies the Altai Mountain Range, a name used by linguists to define the Ural-Altaic language group to which the Magyar language belongs. Further up to the north stretches the Lake Baykal region where first the Scythians, then the Huns emerged to conquer the Turanian Plain. The Magyars, Uygurs and the Turks may also have started their migrations from the northeastern part of the Baykal area. Further anthropological, archeological and linguistic research must be conducted on this theory, but is limited by the little access the Chinese government grants foreigners to the region. There are, however, many Asiatic influences seen among Hungarians today. Hungarian legends and folk tales are strikingly similar to those of Asian peoples. The structure of Magyar folk music, which uses the pentatonic scale, also points to Asian origins. The beautiful gates of the Székely people in Transylvania bear a strong resemblance to those in the pagodas of China. The ornate tombstones carved from wood are also similar to those seen in Chinese cemeteries. The Hungarian cuisine shows traces of Asia in its use of strong spices such as paprika, pepper, saffron, and ginger.

The Hun-Avar Theory Much of this theory has been perpetuated by folk tale. Most Hungarians today can tell the story of the Legend of the White Stag. The story describes how two sons of Nimrod, Hunor and Magor, were lured for days into a new land by a fleeing white stag. The stag suddenly vanishes without trace. But the disappointed young hunters hear laughing and singing. The two dismount and follow the laughing until they come across a lake in which two beautiful maidens are splashing. The two hunters take the maidens as wives. The Huns are Hunor's descendent, and the Magyars are Magor's descendents. There are variations on the folk tale including Simon Kézai's version in his 1283 chronicle, Gesta Hungarorum. The same mythical tale takes on a slightly somber and more realistic approach. Hunor and Magor are Chief Ménrót's grown up sons who had reached maturity and had moved into a separate tent.

"One day it happened that, as they were going out to hunt, a hind suddenly appeared in front of them on the plains, and as they undertook to pursue her, she fled from them into the Maeotian marshes. Since she completely disappeared there from their eyes, they searched for her a long time but could not chance upon her traces. After having traversed the said marshes, they decided the marshes were suitable for raising livestock. They returned to their father, and securing his consent, they moved into the Maeotian marshes with all their animals to settle down there. The region of Maeotis is a neighbor of Persia. Apart from a very narrow wading place, it is enclosed by the sea everywhere. It has absolutely no streams, but it teems with grass, trees, fish, fowl, and game. Access to and exit from it is difficult. Thus settling in the Maeotian marshes, Hunor and Magor did not move from there for five years. In the sixth year they wandered out, and by chance they came upon the wives and children of Belárs sons, who stayed at home without their men folk.

Quickly galloping off with them and their belongings, they carried them off into the Maeotian marshes. It so happened that among the children they also seized the two daughters of Dula, the Prince of the Alans. Hunor married one and Magor the other. All the Huns descend from these women." From Hunor came the great and dreaded leader Attila. After the kingdom of Attila fell apart shortly after his death, further waves of people moved in to the Carpathian Basin but all were crushed by the Avars, a quickly emerging branch of the Ural-Altaic group. The Avars founded and empire on top of what used to be Attila's-the region between the Danube and the Tisza rivers. The Avars even used a weapon perfected by the Huns, the curved sabre gladicus hunnicus. The Avars downfall, however, was hastened by the development of Charlemagne's Frankish Empire. The Avars and Charlemagne's army went to battle from 796 to 803 A.D. The Avars were finally defeated by the Frankish troops and most Avar tribes returned to the slopes of the Caucasian Mountains.

Others stayed and mingled with the Slavs of the area and later with the Magyars. When the Magyar tribes arrived under Árpád, they found a sparse population including many Avars. According to the Teri-i-Üngürüsz chronicle, "When they arrived in the land, they saw its many rivers teeming with fish, the land rich in fruits and vegetables, and members of other tribes, some of whom understood their language." This theory of Hun-Avar-Magyar progression into the Carpathian Basin, however, is only part of the story. Black and White Magyars The Chinese believed that there were five cardinal directions, the fifth being "the center of the universe", China itself. Each of the five directions was symbolized by a color. The central point, China, was indicated by yellow, for the gold that befit His Imperial Highness. The North, shrouded in dark Arctic nights, was black. The West was designated as white, a color that reflected the blinding white sands of the vast deserts on the western horizon. Red represented the sun of the South, and the East was symbolized by blue, the color of the ocean eternally washing China's eastern shores.

Based on these color symbols, the White Magyars (or White Ugurs) represented the Western branch of their race. According to ancient Russian chronicles, the White Magyars appeared in the Carpathian Basin as early as 670-680 A.D., first with the Bulgars, and later with the Avars. The second branch of Magyar tribes-called Black Magyars in ancient Russian chronicles-took a different route. The directions of that route are still debated by Finno-Ugrian and orientalist theorists, but the end result was that the Black Magyars became connected with peoples belonging to the Ural-Altaic groups. These included a range of peoples from Manchuria to Turkey. Among these groups the Finno-Ugrian/Magyars drew closest to the Turks, who were warriors with a talent for statecraft. This association with the Turks created a new blend of Magyar: Finno-Ugrian in language but Ural-Altaic in culture. This was the strain of Magyars that in 895 A.D.

would ride into the Carpathian Basin under Árpád-following the footsteps of the White Magyars who appeared in the Carpathian Basin in the 670s A.D. Árpád's Magyars has been termed by some modern historians as the second wave in a two-phased conquest of the Hungarian homeland. Whether this theory is correct or not, it seems fairly certain that the Szeklers (székelyek) had been long-time inhabitants of Transylvania before the Magyars arrived. Sources: István Lázár, "Hungary: A Brief History" Corvina Books, Budapest: 1990, pp. 11-35. Stephen Sisa, "The Spirit of Hungary" Vista Books, New Jersey: 1995, pp 1-6. Generation Expat: On Dating Hungarians On Dating Hungarians [From the Budapest Week Archive Classics] By Dork Zygotian As one walks down the street in Budapest, a common reaction that many visitors have as they gaze at the physical perfection of Hungarians is "Gee!

I wish the human race were transformed into cute little rodents whose only aim in life was to have continuous, lusty, mindless animal couplings at every opportunity, hundreds of times each day!" Yes, Budapest gets the juices flowing, and why not? Hungary is a land of romance, of passion. But first you have to get over the hard part. You have to get a date. This information is aimed at men, those slaves of testosterone who carry their brains in two neat little bundles between their legs. Women who are visiting often ask "Are there any available Hungarian men?" The answer is yes. All Hungarian men are available. Every one of them. Especially if you like married men, about forty, reeking of pálinka. All Hungarian men are charming, enchanting, good-looking, and completely unintelligible if you don't speak Hungarian. Rex Harrison crooned it best, in My Fair Lady, "Oozing charm from every pore/ He oiled his way across the floor/ Never have I seen a ruder pest/ than that hairy hound from Budapest." Men, however, must take a different approach to attract the wily Magyar leány.

Ever since Zsazsa Gabor first uttered "Dahhling..." and Cicciolina first sprayed a front row in Turin, foreign men have felt an irresistable attraction to Hungarian women. And why not? They are among God's loveliest critters, scampering merrily around the Danube basin clad in tiny bikinis, clinging halter tops, and those wonderful high heeled shoes known in other parts of the world as "fuck-me pumps." If you are just traveling around Hungary or staying for a while, there are a few things you should know about dating Hungarian women. First of all, there is the language barrier. I have known people who had a perfectly happy, if somewhat shallow, relationship with absolutely no intelligible communication between them for months at a time. Rubbing your belly means "Hungry? Want to go to expensive restaurant?" Other communications were made by rubbing anything else. Otherwise you will have to speak Hungarian or find a Hungarian who speaks something you understand. A good looking Hungarian woman who speaks English, German, or French is quite a find, and she knows it.

She recieves daily faxes from suitors the world over and she knows the exact opening hours and addresses of the Chinese restaurants that serve imported lobster Szechuan style, which goes extremely well with a light, yet fruity French white wine, slightly chilled, and remember to tip the waiter 10%. Still interested? Hungarian women are raised on Hungarian men. That means they are used to recieving flowers before being taken to the theater and wined and dined afterwards by a nice smelling young man who goes to the bathroom every fifteen minutes to preen in front of a mirror to ensure that he still looks nice and then after two dates he's allowed to get to home base, and then they get married, two years later divorced, and that's where you walk in. You are different than all the nice smelling young men she's known. You are not Hungarian. You are exotic. You did not go to the same school system, did not serve in the same army, did not grope her same girlfriends in highschool, nor belong to the same Young Communist league. Nor has she been busted for possession by the same cop in Alabama, dropped out of the same University, belonged to your voodoo cult, nor ever watched The Brady Bunch.

You are Ricky Ricardo to her Lucille Ball. Exotissimo! That doesn't mean that meeting the Hungarian girl of your dreams is going to be easy. You can't tell a Hungarian girl that you are a tourist. You have to come up with something more permanent, like environmental protection engineer or journalist (a perennial favorite around our office.) You will also need a suit of clothes that could not possibly have ever seen the inside of a backpack, and a real pair of shoes. And yes, you will have to start taking showers. Lots of showers. And buying flowers. And taking her out to nice restaurants that normally cost you an arm and a leg, but now leave you a financial quadripelegic. And while the local Joe gets to home after two dates, you will have to wait longer. The waiting period is to see if you are "serious." That means that you are either staying in Hungary long term, or you are really, really rich. After all, Lucy wasn't just "living" with Ricky. They were married. You will have to compose yourself with a lot more chilvalry and charm than Western girls demand. You will open doors for your date, but you will always enter a restaurant or bar first.

You pay the bill. You pay for taxis. You compliment her looks, her clothes, ask attentively about her day at work. You call her, she does not call you. At the same time, all this hoopla is designed to get you a few old fashioned rewards. You are expected to be a gentleman, and gentlemen are not expected to do their own laundry. Hungarian women are not attracted to new-age sensitive guys. They want A Man, not a companion who knows how to parboil brown rice and cries at the end of movies. Having followed this advice, you should now be the proud owner of a Hungarian girlfriend. Stay the helm. There is still much to learn.

Question: Where would you find a 'Magyar'?
Answer: HUNGARY