Guild records

Æron

I am looking for an archive that may have German guild smithing records around 1820's to the 1850's Around the area of Polsnitz, Waldenburg, Breslau, Silesia, Prussia. The Provence is currently in Poland. I do not know exactly what community to ask. It doesn't fall under the German empire of the 1870's. It could also be helpful for Polsnitz,Neumarkt,Breslau, Silesia, Prussia. I would like to cross reference it to this record if I can or prove it is not a record attached to my families tree. The 1791 family book of the Breslau Jewish congregation. The record is currently only on microfilm in Salt Lake City. The earliest city directory for the area in German is in the 1880's. So I do apologize if this is the wrong community to ask. But I felt it is in the right area, but may not be the right years.

ShelleWells

@Æron I asked Google Gemini your question - this is the answer it gave.

The region you mentioned—Silesia (Schlesien) in Prussia—is now part of Poland (primarily the Lower Silesian Voivodeship, Dolny Śląsk).

• Polsnitz is now Polanica-Zdrój.
• Waldenburg is now Wałbrzych.
• Breslau is now Wrocław.

Consequently, the vast majority of original German-language records from that era are now held in the State Archives in Poland.

🔎 Where to Search for the Records

The most likely repositories for the original smithing guild records (Schmiedezunft-Akten or Innungsakten) are:

1. Polish State Archives (Archiwum Państwowe)

The key archive for the entire Lower Silesia region is:

• Archiwum Państwowe we Wrocławiu (State Archive in Wrocław): This archive holds the most significant collections of former Prussian and city records from Breslau, Waldenburg, and surrounding towns.
  • You would look for collections titled:
    • Akta miasta Wrocławia (City of Wrocław/Breslau records)
    • Akta cechów (Guild records) - specifically for the cech kowalski (smiths' guild).
• Wrocław branch archives: Given the specific locations of Waldenburg (Wałbrzych) and Polsnitz (Polanica-Zdrój), you might also check the holdings of the local branch archives, but the main Wrocław archive is the best starting point for the largest cities like Breslau and regional guild administration.

Online Research Tool: Use the central Polish State Archives search portal: szukajwarchiwach.gov.pl

• Try searching for terms like: "akta cechu kowalskiego Wrocław" (smiths' guild records Wrocław) or "Zunftakten Breslau".