Hausbuch
Hausbuch, also referred to as “Hausbuch eines Dorfes” or simply “Hausbuch”, is a historical administrative record primarily used in German-speaking regions from the late Middle Ages through the early modern period. The term literally translates to “house book” and denotes a compilation of information about households, families, and property within a particular municipality or village. Its primary purpose was to provide a comprehensive snapshot of the local population for tax assessment, civic responsibilities, and legal matters.
The earliest known Hausbücher date back to the 14th century and were typically kept by municipal authorities
The practice largely declined in the 19th century with the introduction of systematic civil registration and