Agria 43. (Az Egri Múzeum Évkönyve - Annales Musei Agriensis, 2007)

Oroszi Sándor: A hatod közbirtokosság jegyzőkönyvei

OROSZI Sándor 2001 A muraszerdahelyi volt úrbéres (erdő)birtokosság megszerveződése In: A Magyar Mezőgazdasági Múzeum Közleményei 1998-2000. 127-140. Budapest. TAGÁNYI Károly 1896 Magyar erdészeti oklevéltár. I—III. Budapest. Sándor Oroszi The hatod Joint tenantry minutes From the Middle Ages onwards six Szekler villages in Transylvania, Bárót (Baraolt, Romania), Bodos (Bodos), Málnás (Malnas), Nagybacon (Bätanii Mari), Oltszem (Ölteni) and Zalán (Zàlan) have had joint tenantry of some substantial woodland and pastures. Matters relating to the joint tenantry were the responsibility of delegates representing the villages, and fortunately the minutes of their meetings survive for the years 1837-1881. On the evidence of the notes taken, by abiding by established custom the functionaries of the joint tenantry (the steward, the notary, the chairmen of the various committees, the woodland and pastoral wardens) were successful in running the joint properties. Their activities extended from the distribution of income coming in from the properties and the punishment of transgressors, to the carrying out of everyday farming duties, like the marking out of tree-felling and mowing areas and their allocation between the various users. Rather than focusing only on the business of making profits joint tenantries were concerned with sustainable growth. In the case of both renting out lands and handing out fines, the sums involved were calculated merely to cover taxation payments and running costs. However, it was in becoming seemingly antiquated during the course of the 19

th century, that such attitudes changed, leading ultimately to the properties belonging to the six villages being divided up and farmed by people, who may or may not have been members of the joint tenantry, according to their own wishes. 62