From Zabytek.pl (https://zabytek.pl/en/obiekty/cmentarz-ewangelicki-672656) we learn there were no discernably inscribed gravestones at the Przechówko cemetery in 1987 and that the cemetery was unused after 1945. The total area was .12 hectares. The cemetery was described as located on a high slope near farm buildings with access via a dirt road along the railway tracks from Przechowo-Swiecie station. It was located on a oval space, divided roughly into 4 quarters. The tombstones were broken and overgrown with grasses, weeds, and lilacs, surrounded by white poplar trees. The report gives this drawing of the space:
The church records for the Mennonite congregation at Przechowko were compiled beginning in the year 1784 by the church elder. These records indicate specifically about 80 people buried at Przechowko. However, during the ca. 225 years the Mennonites lived in the village, certainly there should be significantly more than 80 individuals buried there. Given the size of the village in the 18th century (as many as 12 farms), there is obviously insufficient data for the early years of the Mennonite period. For example, only 19 burials are recorded in the church records during the 18th century and we can be confident that there should be significantly more than that.
The death records for Przechowko Village, as recorded in
volumes of the Lutherische Kirchenbücher, Kirche Schwetz, record 431
individuals buried at the cemetery from the years 1744-1930. These entries overlap with the Mennonite
records from the year 1744 to 1819/20 but only a handful of burials are
duplicated. The Lutheran records, from
about the year 1820, seem to be fairly reliable given the consistent nature of
the burials, month over month, year over year.
Populations in Przechowko:
o 1162 Tax document: 31 people (3 households)
o
1773 Kataster: 12 families
o
1789: 12 families (https://www.mennonitegenealogy.com/prussia/przech.htm)
o
1801 12 families (since 1642) (https://www.mennonitegenealogy.com/prussia/przech.htm)
o
1813: 21 males over age 21 (https://www.mennonitegenealogy.com/prussia/przech.htm)
o
1819: 19 families sold property (https://www.mennonitegenealogy.com/prussia/przech.htm)
o
early 19th century Polish WIG maps:
17 households
o
c1900: 167 (http://dir.icm.edu.pl/pl/Slownik_geograficzny/Tom_IX/127)
o
1910: 92 (https://www.gemeindeverzeichnis.de/gem1900/gem1900.htm?westpreussen/schwetz.htm)
Altogether, we have 506 burials listed in these sources
for the Przechowko cemetery for the years c1700-1930. Again, the data is likely fairly reliable
between the years 1820 to 1930 so we can draw conclusions from an analysis of
the recordings:
In two years, burials reached a total of 14 – the highest
during the time frame studied (1844 and 1850).
In 1844 the burials are reasonably distributed throughout the year; 7
males and 7 females; 8 under age 5 (5f, 3m), with only 1 burial (m) over
80. Two burials share the same surname –
Liedske (and another Liedtke is listed very late in the previous year) – so
three burials from the same family?
In 1850 the burials are again reasonably distributed
throughout the year; 6 males and 8 females; 8 under age 5 (3m, 5f), with only 1
burial (m) over 80. The Wordelmann
Family lost 3 children (aged 9, 6, and 1) in this same year. Did the Wordelmann Family become infected
with a disease?
14 burials in one year seems a very high number for this
village that likely had 17 households at this time. 82% of the households experienced a death.
47% of all burials were children under the age of 5 years of
age. 25% of those who lived beyond the
age of 5 years were buried after the age of 70.
More than 10% of all burials occurred during the month of
February. Less than 7% of burials
occurred during the months of May, June, and October.
Of 431 entrants, 54% male and 43% are female. Females
appear slightly more likely to escape childhood with 48% of the total burials
under age 5 given to females whereas 52% of the total burials under age 5 were
males. On the other hand, females appear
less likely to live to an age greater than 80 years; only 2% of total female burials
were over 80 whereas 5% of males were over 80.
Przechowko Village Burial List
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