Bartók Béla, ifj.: Chronicles of Béla Bartók's Life (Budapest, 2021)
Family, Infancy (1855–1889)
FAMILY, INFANCY (1 855-1 889) 1881-1889 1881-1889 25 March 1881 - Their son, Béla Bartok is born this Friday in Nagyszentmiklós in the house “No. 229 of Szerbnagyszentmiklós ”, as testified by the registration No. 101/1881 on page 61 in Volume VIII of the Roman Catholic baptism register. His full Christian name is Béla Viktor János. 5 April 1881 - Bartoks baptism in the family home. His godparents: Dr. Viktor Schreyer public notary and his wife, Klementina Rittich. Later on - as in all of his military papers -, due to the superficiality of the authorities, this day often appears as date of birth. End of June 1881 - He got the obligatory vaccination against variola and a rash by infection, resulting in an illness of 5 years which was probably one of the reasons for his withdrawn disposition all through his life. During that year they moved into the headmasters flat of the agricultural school. June of 1882 - He is already capable of making a distinction among the heard dance tunes, and although not yet talking, he indicates his preference for one tune or another. Around 25 January 1883 he begins to form words into sentences. His illness persists, so he is taken to Budapest. March of 1884 - A doctor named Péczely attempts to cure him but with no result. He receives his first instrument, a drum, on which he is drumming rather elaborate rhythms. 1 June 1884 - Béla Bartok Snr launches the monthly Issues of Agricultural Education in Nagyszentmiklós, then on 6 July he travels to Radegund (Styria) for medical treatment. 13 January 1885 - The widowed Mrs János Bartok, Béla Bartoks grandmother dies in Nagyszentmiklós at the age of 60. 14 March 1885 - Bartok can already strum 40 pieces on the piano with one finger. 17
