GER-VOLGA-L Archives
Archiver > GER-VOLGA > 2002-07 > 1026304065
From: Vera Beljakova <>
Subject: [GV] GR Church books inc. Betrothals, pre-marital questionnaire, engagements, weddings, banns, exams
Date: Wed, 10 Jul 2002 14:27:45 +0200
Ok, dear friends,
Regarding GR Church books =
and various "sections" in the Church Books....
this is how the Russians explain to me all these different
concepts - (I've added original words in Russian, which some of
you may be not able to read - disregard them, then )
The Volga Church Books also have included this section :
1) "Betrothals" - engagements,
official intent to marry.
same as "Verlobung" = "ïîìîëâêà"
2) "Pre-marital exams", (Ïðåäáðà÷íûå ýêçàìåíû)
Before wedding exams, pre-marital questionnaire =
no German word for it (apparently).
vorehelich Pruefung is just a "free" translation,
but the Russians have a legal term for it
(due to it being a Russian law that no woman must be forced
into marriage. )
This is when the priest/vicar questions the young couple,
before allowing them to get engaged/married:
- how long have they own each other,
- are they free to get married, etc...
- are they getting married of their free will
- he questions them on their legal status which will allow them to
marry.
3) the above 2 definitions are not the same as the more
Catholic "pre Cane Classes" religious instructions classes.
4) and I am told by the Russians, the above are still not the same as
...."... reading the banns....."
which also has a Russian word for it: "îãëàøåíèå" (banns).
I hope this clarifies a bit more
what the GR church books contain as opposed to the
Village Administration.
GR church Books
(Births, Baptism, Confirmation, Pre-Marital Exams,
Engagements, Marriages, Deaths & Funerals. )
GR Village/Rural Administration
(Census/revision, Family-clan Registers,
Personal Books).
these also include -
Wills, Inheritances, Wealth, Tax, Court-cases,
Police records, and other secular details.
Vera Beljakova-Miller
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