The FEKETE Family

Fekete Family from Zemplén County, Hungary:

The Fekete family were nobles according to Zsuzsánna Fekete's death record.

Fekete is the Hungarian word for the color black and is in the top 20 of the most common surnames in Hungary. This naturally presents us with some difficulties in determining which noble Fekete family our ancestor Zsuzsánna Fekete properly belongs to.

It must be noted that the marriage records from the Mád Reformed church, dating from 1738-1769 and on pages 464-465, were mistakenly not microfilmed. The death records don't begin until 1752 and there seems to be a gap missing from 1757-1769.

Generation 1: unknown
Generation 2: Zsuzsánna Fekete & István Szük (nobleman) 

What We Know

Considering the proximity of Megyaszó and Taktaszada (both in Zemplén County) to both Abaúj-Torna and Borsod Counties, we should review records for all three counties.

Nobility Research Results: Abaúj-Torna County

The 1754-1755 nobility census for Abaúj County, Hungary named three Fekete individuals; only districts were recorded, no specific localities:

In Processu Szikszoviensi [Szikszó District]; Page 3

• Dominus Sigismundus Fekete

• Georg Fekete

• Relicta Steph. Fekete cum filio Stephano

SOURCE: familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSVH-W5GZ?lang=en

The 1754-1755 nobility census for Torna County, Hungary named three Fekete individuals; only districts were recorded, no specific localities:

In Processu Thornensis [Torna District]; Page 1

• Stephanus Fekete de Várad Preceptor

• Michael Fekete

In Processu Thornensis [Torna District]; Page 3

• Sigismundus Fekete

SOURCE [Page 1]: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSBF-BS21-V
SOURCE [Page 3]: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSBF-BSLM-7

Nobility Research Results: Zemplén County

The 1725-1726 nobility investigation records show two noble Fekete men residing in Zemplén County, Hungary:

• Andreas Fekete, resident of Hidvég [Sajóhídvég]

• Andreas Fekete, resident of Bodrogh-Keresztúr [Bodrogkeresztúr]

The 1754-1755 nobility census for Zemplén County, Hungary named four Fekete individuals; only districts were recorded, no specific localities:

In Processu Varanoviensi [Varannó District]; Page 3

• Ladislai Fekete Relicta [widow]

• Joannes Fekete 

• Gabriel Fekete 

In Processu Nagy Mihalyiensi [Nagy-Mihály District]; Page 6

• Emericus Fekete 

NOTE: Varannó is present-day Vranov nad Topľou, Slovakia, while Nagy-Mihály is present-day Michalovce, Slovakia. They're about 30 minutes away from one another and both are about 2 to 2 1/2 hours northeast of Megyaszó.

According to Samu Borovszky, in his publication Magyarország vármegyéi és városai (Magyarország monografiája), this noble Fekete family appears in 1598 as landowners in Ladmócz, and later on in Magyarizsép.

SOURCE: https://adt.arcanum.com/en/view/Borovszky_Zemplen/?pg=700
SOURCE [1754/55, Page 3]: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C33H-4Q4P-R
SOURCE [1754/55, Page 6]: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C33H-4Q4J-5

There are no Fekete appearing in the 1767-1773 urbarial tax lists for Megyaszó, Zemplén County, Hungary.

NOTE: These lists typically only included peasants and serfs; few nobles appear.

SOURCE: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS6H-5339

The Elenchus Actorum nobilitarium from the Zemplén County nobility records [Acta nobilium comitatuum, Saec. XVI-XIX] shows several entries for Fekete families. After reviewing the files for all of the documented noble Fekete families in Zemplén County, it's rather clear this is the family that Zsuzsánna Fekete descends from.

• Protoc 1, Page 349-351: 1653, 1730
  Fekethe Stephanus, cum fratibus Joann Nicolao, filiusque Stephano, Joanne et Nicholao per Ferdinandum III nobilitant. Fekethe Stephanus applicat sibi pseriptas Armales.

  • • A continuation of the investigation, dated 17 Feb 1731 in Mád, previously conducted on 5 Feb 1726 in Megyaszó and 12 [21?] Nov 1726 in Megyaszó. Their nobility was granted on 24 Sep 1653 in Ratisbora to the late Stephano Fekete, with brothers Joannes and Nicolas, and sons Stephano, Joannis and Nicolas, also "brother" Joannis More, son Nicolaus and brother Stephanus More. The armalis was recorded on 7 May 1654 in Torna, Torna County, Hungary.

SOURCE: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C33D-FH8P

• Fasc. 2, No. 247: 1653 (2 pages)
  Fekethe Stephani, et filii Nicolai, nec non Joannis et Nicolai fratrum Armales privilegiales, cum Insignibus nudi gladii inter duas explicats alas aquilinas sursum eminentis per Ferdinandum III Regum elargita.
  Fekete Stephani, and the sons of Nicolai, and also brothers Joannes and Nicolai were granted Armales privileges with a coat of arms (described as having a bare sword between two upward-spread eagle wings) from King Ferdinand III.

  • • This is a complete transcription of the original armalis granted to this Fekete family. The armalis was granted on 23 Sep 1653 in Ratisbona by King Ferdinand III to Stephanum Fekete, his brothers Joannem and Nicolaum, and his sons Stephanum, Joannem and Nicolaum; "another brother" Joannem More and wife Sophiam Szegeö; and likewise Joannem More, son Nicolaum, and also brother Stephanum More.
      NOTE:  The wording seems to reflect that Stephanum Fekete and Joannem More were "brothers"; it's likely that Stephanum Fekete was married to Joannem More's sister, or vice-versa.

    • The coat of arms is described as having a blue shield with a green field at the bottom. The green field has a Royal diadem with a bare sword "naturally depicted," between two upward-spread eagle wings. The shield is "wearing" a soldier's helmet with a latticework and a Royal diadem. Atop the helmet and Royal diadem is another bare sword between likewise prominent eagle wings, which share similar ornamentation as the lower eagle wings. The embellishments, or ribbons, coming from the helmet, are blue & yellow (on the left) and white & red (on the right).

    • The armalis was recorded on 7 May 1654 in Torna, Torna County, Hungary.

SOURCE: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSVC-M9H7-2

• Fasc 2, No. 248: 1726 (5 pages)
  Fekethe Stephani Madensis, filii Nicolai, filii Stephani Impetratoris Armalium super deductione Genealogia et Nobilitatis usu authentica Inquisitio.

  • • Page 1 is testimonials from an investigation conducted on 5 Feb 1726 in Megyaszó, regarding Lord [D(omi)ni] Stephani Fekete, a resident of Mád. The investigation was questioning whether the Mád resident István Fekete was a known nobleman, whether his father was Miklós Fekete, whether his grandfather was gentleman [úrt] István Fekete who was granted the armalis, and whether they've personally seen the armalis. The investigation was conducted by Samuël Gönczi and Andrëas Püski. The following individuals were interviewed:

1. Andreas Solyom, an inhabitant of Megyaszó [Medgyasziensis] and about 72 years old. He stated he knew the late grandfather István Fekete and late father Miklós Fekete, and that István Fekete was now residing in Mád. He further stated they were always known to be true noble people and had not personally seen the armalis.

2. Johannes More, an inhabitant of Megyaszó [Medgyasziensis] and about 68 years old. He stated he saw the armalis many times at the home of the late gentleman [úrt] István Fekete, who was granted the armalis. He further stated he knew all three individuals, similar to Andreas Solyom' testimony.

3. Michaël Neste, an inhabitant of Megyaszó [Medgyasziensis] and about 60 years old. He stated he knew well the Mád resident István Fekete, his father Miklós Fekete and grandfather István Fekete.

• Page 2a details an additional testimony from an another investigation conducted on 17 Feb 1731 in Megyaszó. The investigation was conducted by Samuël Gönczi and Franciscus Török.

1. Johannes Szilassy, a libertine in Megyaszó and about 60 years old. [Finish interview]

• Pages 2b-3b are testimonials from an investigation conducted on 21 Nov 1726 in Megyaszó, regarding Lord [D(omi)ni] Joannis More, a resident of Megyaszó. The investigation was questioning whether the Megyaszó resident and gentleman [úrk] János More, son of the late gentleman [úrk] István of Demecser in Abaúj County, and whether there was any paternal relationship with a peasant named Miklós More in Megyaszó. They also questioned whether the Megyaszó resident and gentleman [úrk] János More was a known nobleman with cite the armalis with Mád resident and gentleman [úrt] István Fekete. They further question whether the peasant Pál More was a related to Megyaszó resident and gentleman [úrk] János More. The investigation was conducted by Samuël Gönczi and Franciscus Balog. The following individuals were interviewed:

1. Mathias Soltész, an inhabitant of Dobszai and about 36 years old. [Finish interview]

2. Johanes Szendrei, an inhabitant of Vamos and about 58 years old. [Finish interview]

3. Nicolaus Tott, an inhabitant of Megyaszó [Medgyasziens.] and about 66 years old. [Finish interview]

4. Andreas Solymos, an inhabitant of Megyaszó [Medgyasziens.] and about 58 years old. [Finish interview]

5. Georgius Tot, an inhabitant of Megyaszó [Medgyasziens.] and about 51 years old. [Finish interview]

6. Stephanus Szilasi, an inhabitant of Megyaszó [Medgyasziens.] and about 60 years old. [Finish interview]

SOURCE: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSVC-M9HQ-C

These nobility files need further review:

• Procot 23, Page 304: 1731
  Fekethe Stephani Nobilitatis productio.
  
  

• Protoc 1, Page 83: 1724
  Fekethe Michael Inquisitione Nobilitatem docet.
  
  

• Protoc 16, Page 580
  Fekete Franciscus a Solutione Fasca immunis declaratur.
  
  

• Fasc 18, No. 261: 1736
  Fekethe Martini post fata Armales ejusdem quorsum devenerint? Inquisitio.
  
  

• Fasc 1, No. 100: deest.
  Fekethe Barbara, Georgy Várady Consortis filiaque ejusdem Sophia Strenui Joannis Szeöch Conthoralis, item Georgy Bozinkay, et filie Juditha, Stephani Hurka Consortis velut J.J. constra Egregium Emericum Jászay ut A. ratione portionum in Nagy-Géres habitarum Mandatum Novi Judicy per Ferdinandum III Regum elargitum. Datum ob lacerum Statum legi non potuit.
  
  

• Fasc 10, No. 926: 1742
  Fekethe Joannes occasione Generlis Regni Insurrecetionis unum Equitem statuit.
  
  

• Protoc 1, Page 626: 1750
  Fekethe Stephani et filii Joannis super Nobilitate Testimoniales.

  • • Another nobility investigation was conducted, on 18 Mar 1750 in T.-Terebes, Zemplén County, Hungary, and Joannes More of Megyaszó and Stephanus Fekete of Mád provided/cited prior investigations completed in 1732. The document states Joannes More and Stephanus Fekete produced the original armalias granted on 24 Sep 1653 in Ratisbora by Ferdinand III; granted to Stephano Fekete, his brothers Joannis and Nicolas, sons Stephano, Joannis and Nicolas, another brother Joannes More, his children Joannes and Nicolas.

SOURCE: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C33D-FZHG

• Fasc 17, No. 59: 1756
  Fekethe Andreas, Joannes, Michael et Gabriel quod sint filii Martini Inquisitio.
  
  

• Fasc 17, No. 60: 1767
  Fekethe Joannis quis fuerit Genitor? Inquisitio
  
  

• Protoc 4, Page 263: 1768
  Fekethe Laurentii et Cointeressatorum Nobilitatis Revisio usque Authenticationem producta Inqusitionis Suspenditur.
  
  

• Protoc 4, Page 315: 1768
  Fekethe pscriptorum Nobilitas approbatur, et Testimoniales superinde obtinent.

Final Research Results

The 1720 census of Hungary shows a "Joannes Fekete" possessing 15 metered plots of land in Demecser.

NOTE: Nobility records from Zemplén county state a noble Fekete and More family were at one time residents of Demecser in Abaúj County, before moving to Megyaszó in Zemplén County.

SOURCE: https://adatbazisokonline.mnl.gov.hu/adatbazis/az-1720_-evi-orszagos-osszeiras/adatlap/1105