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Parapatischberg
[Hungarian: Parapaticsbrig; Kroat: Parapatícev Brig]
Village of 15 residents in the Oberwart district; Ortsteile to Weiden bei Rechnitz.
Parapatitschberg was founded after 1600 as a daughter settlement to Weiden bei Rechnitz and first
mentioned in 1691 as "Parapatic" and in 1693 as "Mons Parapaticz" in the Neumarkter Taufmatrikel.
The village name likely derives from from an individual with Croatian (Vlahi / Wallachian) surname
Parapatic, which name existed in the land records of Kohfidisch and Weiden bei Rechnitz as early as
1613. For example, a Georg Parapatic owned 3 sessiones; he is therefore supposed to have been a
wealthy and influential person. He, or another Parapatic, may have founded the settlement with name
Parapatic Brig (later Parapatischberg).
Background: The Turkish invasion of the Balkan peninsula in the 15th Century and their subsequent
plundering expeditions into Croatia and Slavonia triggered the Croatian emigration to West Hungary
and Lower Austria. Due to the lack of manpower to farm their properties, the resident landlords of
West Hungary promoted the settlement of the Croats. In addition to the peasants, Croatian migrant
shepherds (German: "Walachen", Croatian: "Vlahi") sought to move to the north. Their settlement in
our area began around 1540, partly under the rule of Rechitz-Schlaining, and under the rule of
Rotenturm (Rumpersdorf, Podgoria, Unterpodgoria, Weiden, Parapatitschberg, Stefanshof, Spitzzicken).
The Wallachians lived off small farms with less fertile fields and by livestock farming, mainly
sheep and goats. However, the landlords granted the so-called "Wallachian liberties": exemption from
taxes and from robot service. In trade for these privileges, they performed duties such as guard
service and policing, as well as assisting in the repair work on the estates and the sheep farms.
Family History Library microfilms:
Civil: Bándol (Vas). Anyakönyvi Hivatal [FHL INTL Films 665230 - 31]
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