Yugoslavia

of arms certificates out of the Hbri regii (royal register) which was kept by the
central government in Budapest. These copies cover the period from 1542 to 1700.
In Dalmatia a significant collection is represented by the Dalmatian Heraldic commission,
which was active in the years 1817 to 1887 in carrying: out a revision of the system of
noble titles.
Up to the year 1848 there were special courts for the aristocracy in Slovenia
and Croatia. From these courts there are available as early as 1406 testaments, and
after the 16th century even, lawsuit files, guardianship matters and such materials.
In the colorful contents of the city archives - they concern all aspects of
city archives - one can also find data for genealogical research. One must note a
difference between the coastal cities as they developed in Istria and Dalmatia and
the continental cities in the areas of Croatia and Slovenia as can be seen in the
collections themselves, In the first group we see a continuity from the earlier Roman
cities, whereas, the continertal cities were chiefly formed about the 13th century.
In the 14th and 15th century, the number of these cities grew partly from financial
and partly for strategic reasons. Between these two groups of cities there are dif­
ferences in their makeup. The coastal cities followed more the pattern of Venice,
and furthermore they formed their own city aristocracy which took over the running of
the city.
The records of the cities which may be considered for genealogical research
are chiefly in the records and listings of the citizens, in probate and guardianship matters,
in collections of wills, in writings that have to do with the transfer of ownership of
property and houses. in transcripts of lawsuits, in records of setting up of businesses,
and generally in different books of the guilds and business houses, etc. Further sig-
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