Parish family book

{{Expand Polish|date=March 2026}}

{{Expand Polish|date=March 2026}}

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The '''parish family book''' ({{langx|la|Status animarum}}, meaning "State of Souls") is a register of people living in a [[parish]] and of events related to them. It is particularly characteristic of the [[Roman Catholic Church]]. The parish family books were prescribed in the ''[[Rituale Romanum]]'' published in 1614 by [[Pope Paul V]]. At first, they only contained data about [[sacrament]]s received, religious knowledge, and religious affiliation. In the 18th century other data were added such as house numbers and ages. The parish family books were maintained by [[parish priest]]s. They were most precise in villages because the population was more stable there than in cities.

The '''parish family book''' ({{langx|la|Status animarum}}, meaning "State of Souls") is a register of people living in a [[parish]] and of events related to them. It is particularly characteristic of the [[Roman Catholic Church]]. The parish family books were prescribed in the ''[[Rituale Romanum]]'' published in 1614 by [[Pope Paul V]].

At first, they only contained data about [[sacrament]]s received, religious knowledge, and religious affiliation. In the 18th century other data were added such as house numbers and ages. The parish family books were maintained by [[parish priest]]s. They were most precise in villages because the population was more stable there than in cities.

A parish book can be a useful primary source for religious historians, art historians, sociologists, and other scholars.{{cite web|url=https://www.museodelprado.es/en/the-collection/artist/matthias-also-called-stomer-stom/5efddcc7-b110-4de7-a343-2d8b009f16cf|website=Museo National del Prado |title=Matthias (also called Stomer) Stom|lang=English|access-date=22 April 2026}}

==References==

==References==