Three words next to a child's name. The Markowicz family, 1812
In 1812 two-year-old Justyn Markowicz dies. The priest writes a cavalry captain's title next to his name. At his baptism in 1810 his parents are recorded as of noble rank.
Documents shown in the film
These are the real archive scans you see in the film. Each one has its archive reference, so anyone can check the source.
Narration
What is an officer's title doing next to the name of a two-year-old child?
In 1816, a landowner called the Markowicz family runaway serfs.
Four years earlier, in the parish of Janiszki, little Justyn Markowicz dies.
He was two years old.
The priest writes three words next to his name.
In English: cavalry captain of Wiłkomierz County.
Most likely it was the title of his father, Stanisław.
Where he got it, we don't know.
Two years earlier, at Justyn's baptism, the register describes his parents:
of noble rank.
Everything points to the same Stanisław the landowner called a runaway serf.
Has an old title or nickname survived in your family?
Tell us in the comments.
Ex Archivis.
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Sources
- Death register, Janiszki parish, 1812 (LVIA 604/10/58)
- Baptism register, Janiszki parish, 1810 (FamilySearch, film 1426345)
- “Kuryer Litewski” 1816, no. 26, page 6 (Polona)
Scenes marked “Staged scene” are reconstructions. The documents are real.
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