Gründungsbuch

A Gründungsbuch, often translated as a founding book or register, is a historical document used in various German-speaking regions and historical contexts to record the establishment and initial operations of organizations, institutions, or even certain types of businesses. Its primary purpose was to provide an official and permanent record of the foundational details of an entity.

The contents of a Gründungsbuch could vary significantly depending on the nature of the organization it documented. For religious foundations, it might detail the endowment, the purpose of the foundation, the names of the founders, and the initial beneficiaries. In the context of guilds or craft organizations, it would likely list the founding members, the established rules and statutes, and the date of formation. For early forms of companies or trusts, it could record capital contributions, the names of initial trustees or partners, and the agreed-upon operational framework.

These books served as legal and administrative tools, ensuring transparency and providing a basis for future governance and dispute resolution. They were often maintained by religious institutions, municipal authorities, or the organizations themselves. The existence and content of a Gründungsbuch could be crucial for proving the legitimacy and historical continuity of an entity. While the term itself is historical, the concept of documenting the founding of an organization persists in modern corporate registries and founding documents, though the specific format and nomenclature have evolved.