Vadász István: A Közép-Tiszavidék kisvárosai a XIX–XX. században – A Jász-Nagykun-Szolnok Megyei Múzeumok közleményei 54. (1995)

units in centres of the investigated area. Changes of attraction-zones or trends in developing of central functions of each centres can be analysed after comparing attraction-zone system in the 1920's—1930's and in the early 1990's. Spatial connection of marriages performed a vital role in contacts of settlements in period 1825—1852. Data of marriage-connections are reliable for comprehensive reviews moreover the investigation can be done by analysing these data. According to the registration of marriages local societies of rural market towns can be supposed as „open local societies": more than 16,3% of the connections of marriages were contracted with non-local dwellers in the centres of Middle-Tisza Region. The spatial connections of marriages created a special sphere of influence surrounded centres of Heves, Mezőcsát, Kunhegyes, and Tiszafüred, but at the same time Kunmadaras, Polgár and Poroszló didn't form a closed zone of influence. Furthermore sphere of influence of Mezőcsát covers 14 villages, areas of attraction of Heves and Tiszafüred are constituted by 12 and 11 settlements, the attraction-zone of Kunhegyes includes 4—5 settlements, and on the other hand Kunmadaras, Polgár and Poroszló mean the aim of connection for 2—3 settlements. More than 100 years later, in period 1920's and 1930's the system of attraction-zones had been changed in the Middle-Tisza Region. The rank of some urban-like places increased higher (e.g. Heves, Mezőcsát, Kunhegyes, Tiszafüred) by getting some administrative functions and becoming disctrict-seat after organizing modem administration in the last third of 19th century. Moreover Abádszalók got some central functions by becoming seat of district court. Other former centres lost their importance (e.g. Kunmadaras, Poroszló). The questionnaire for old persons and the answers given included the evaluation of the commercial, educational, personal service, health care, productive connections between settlements, the definition of the centres and the attraction-zones. The surroundings of some centres formed closed spatial units: the attraction-zone of Mezőcsát was constituted by 16 villages, the attraction-zones of Heves or Tiszafüred covered 12—12 settlements. Even Kunhegyes and Polgár had a medium-level zone of attraction, although it didn't 185