Leltárkönyvek

Leltárkönyvek, meaning "inventory books" in Hungarian, are historical record-keeping documents primarily used to list and describe the possessions of an individual, a family, a household, or an institution. These books served as a crucial tool for documenting wealth, tracking assets, and ensuring the proper transfer of property, especially during times of inheritance or estate settlement.

The content of a leltárkönyv could vary significantly depending on its purpose and the period in which it was created. Typically, they would enumerate movable goods such as furniture, clothing, tools, livestock, and agricultural produce. In wealthier households, more valuable items like jewelry, silverware, artworks, and books would also be meticulously recorded. Often, the condition and sometimes even the estimated value of these items were noted.

Leltárkönyvek are invaluable sources for historical research, offering insights into the material culture, economic conditions, social structures, and daily life of past societies. They can reveal patterns of consumption, trade, and resource management. For genealogists, they can provide clues about the status and lifestyle of ancestors. The practice of keeping leltárkönyvek was common across various social strata in Hungary and other parts of Central Europe, contributing significantly to the preservation of historical documentation.