What does this old Czech handwriting say?

September 28, 2023 6:37 PM

Hi! I recently found some old family related documents, but can’t make heads of tails of the attached handwriting.

Hi! I recently found some old family related documents, but can’t make heads of tails of the attached handwriting. I think I can vaguely pick out something about Germany, but nothing beyond that.

link

Bonus question: does anyone have a recommended translator for handwriting for longer/more involved handwritten documents in Czech?

posted by pipian to Writing & Language (4 answers total)

I’m happy to take a look. Do you have an idea from what approximate time period the documents may be?
posted by Atrahasis at 7:07 PM on September 28, 2023

Response by poster: ~1945ish
posted by pipian at 7:11 PM on September 28, 2023

I had good luck with this FB group for Czech Bohemian Genealogy https://www.facebook.com/groups/172137532881368/

On the page in the About section is also a link to a paid service if that's what you need.
posted by eekernohan at 6:52 AM on September 29, 2023

Best answer: Reading literally, it says: "German nationality constitutionally divorced and provided supporting documentation via a lawful representative." It could potentially be a document documenting the person's residency in Sudetenland or similar German minority areas of what was then the Czech Protectorate.

Interesting side note: Given that your documents are from around 1945, it's interesting that the state form has German first and Czech second, a small but significant way for the German occupiers to underscore the status of Czechia as a Protectorate/colony of the German state, rather than an independent nation.
posted by Atrahasis at 11:10 AM on September 29, 2023