Między krzyżykiem a kółkiem. Niepiśmienny w aktach wydziału pojednawczego i policji prostej sądu pokoju w Zgierzu i Łodzi z lat 1844–1876

Abstract

Between the Cross and the Circle. Illiterates in the Records of the Conciliation Department and the Simple Police of the Peace Court in Zgierz and Łódź 1844–1876 The law in the Kingdom of Poland regulated the use of alternative forms of signature. The files of the courts of peace in Zgierz and Łódźabound in examples of their use. In guardianship documents, we most often find three crosses in lieu of a signature (in applications) or a mention of the illiteracy of the participants in the proceedings (minutes of meetings and resolutions). In the simple police department’s cases, Christians signed with crosses, while Jews drew three circles or signed in Hebrew. In each case, the official (a person witnessing the ‘signature’) attested that the signs were made by a specific person.