history; historical demography; genealogy; migrations; examples of migrants; Ostrava region; coal mining; 19th century

This study compares the intensity of migration with changes in the linguistic composition of the population in the Ostrava-Karviná coalfield, drawing on census data from 1880–1910. In the final part of the 19th century, Ostrava and Karviná were impacted by substantial migration not only from the immediate vicinity, but also from more distant regions of the Habsburg Monarchy, especially from Galicia. The immigrants mainly came to work in the booming industries in and around the Ostrava-Karviná coalfield. These new arrivals were linguistically diverse, and this was reflected in the changing census data for inhabitants’ language of daily use – which served as an indirect indicator of nationality. Some of the immigrants were closely involved in the national movements representing different ethnic groups, but a large proportion of them became assimilated. This resulted in a complex form of coexistence, accompanied by numerous nationality-based disputes and conflicts. This process of development is reflected in the personal stories of some immigrants representing different linguistic groups.

This study compares the intensity of migration with changes in the linguistic composition of the population in the Ostrava-Karviná coalfield, drawing on census data from 1880–1910. In the final part of the 19th century, Ostrava and Karviná were impacted by substantial migration not only from the immediate vicinity, but also from more distant regions of the Habsburg Monarchy, especially from Galicia. The immigrants mainly came to work in the booming industries in and around the Ostrava-Karviná coalfield. These new arrivals were linguistically diverse, and this was reflected in the changing census data for inhabitants’ language of daily use – which served as an indirect indicator of nationality. Some of the immigrants were closely involved in the national movements representing different ethnic groups, but a large proportion of them became assimilated. This resulted in a complex form of coexistence, accompanied by numerous nationality-based disputes and conflicts. This process of development is reflected in the personal stories of some immigrants representing different linguistic groups.