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Slovenian (as written in the register)
English Translation
Datum rojstva / krsta: 13 Januarja / 13
Date of birth / baptism: 13 January / 13 January
Kraj rojstva: Solčava št. 65
Place of birth: Solčava No. 65
Ime krščenca: Neža
Name of child: Neža
Oče: Pogorelcnik France, p.d. Škresnik, gostar, domačin
Father: France Pogorelcnik, known as Škresnik, innkeeper, local resident
Mati: Barbara, rojena Plesnik, hči Helene Šoštar in p.d. Ručaljnica
Mother: Barbara, née Plesnik, daughter of Helena Šoštar, known as Ručaljnica
Botra: Franca Klemenc, hči Franca Klemenca, p.d. Škresnik
Godmother: Franca Klemenc, daughter of Franc Klemenc, known as Škresnik
Opombe: Michael Klemenc župnik in rokopis o materi
Notes: Michael Klemenc, parish priest, and handwritten note about the mother
This confirms:
The baby’s name was recorded as Neža (Slovenian for Agnes).
The father was France Pogorelcnik, nicknamed Škresnik.
The mother was Barbara Plesnik — this matches your “Plesnik” connection and explains the alternate “Piskernik” spelling seen in later records (likely a transcription or spelling variation).
“p.d.” means “po domače” (house name/nickname), important for locating families in Solčava records.
Solčava Parish Records: Barbara Plesnik (Piskernik) and the Baptism of Agnes Pogorelcnik (1897)
Barbara Plesnik vs. Barbara Piskernik – One Person, Two Names
In the Solčava church records, Barbara Plesnik and Barbara Piskernik refer to the same woman. It was common in 19th-century Slovenian villages for individuals to be identified by both their legal surname and a traditional house nameor farm nickname. Key points about this naming tradition:
Maiden Surname (Plesnik): Barbara’s official birth surname was Plesnik – this came from her father’s family name. Parish priests would record this as her rojstni priimek (maiden name).
House/Farm Name (Piskernik): Piskernik was very likely a house name (Slovene “hišno ime”) or an inherited nickname of the farm or homestead associated with Barbara’s family. In rural communities, a farm’s name often stuck to the people living there, sometimes for generations. For example, Barbara might have been living or born at a farm locally known as “pri Piskernik” (at the Piskernik’s) – hence she appears as Barbara Piskernik in some records.
Parish Record Habit: Solčava parish records (like many Slovene church records) sometimes mixed legal surnames with house names. It was a way to distinguish families in the village – especially if many people shared the same surnamesmyheritage.com. Thus, one record might list her as Barbara Plesnik, while another (or a later note) might list her by the house name Piskernik. This does not indicate a different person, just a different way of referring to hermyheritage.com.
Historical Context: Using “po domače” (abbreviated p.d. in records) means “by the home name.” It was an official shorthand to denote a person’s house name. This practice was very common in Slovenia’s Alpine regionsand is an important clue in genealogy – older relatives or documents might refer to an ancestor by a house name instead of their surnamemyheritage.com. In Barbara’s case, Plesnik was her surname, and Piskernik her house name, so both could appear in documents referring to her.
Conclusion: Whenever you see Barbara Plesnik and Barbara Piskernik in Solčava records, you can be confident they are the same individual. Barbara likely would have been known in the community by the Piskernik farm name, even though her legal surname was Plesnik. This understanding allowed us to trace her records under both names and confirm her identity across different documents.
Baptism of Agnes (“Neža”) Pogorelcnik – 1897
Figure: Baptismal register entry (1897) for Neža (Agnes) Pogorelcnik in the Solčava parish register. It records her birth on 13 January 1897 at house no. 65 in Solčava and baptism on 14 January 1897. The entry lists her father as France Pogorelcnik (with the house name “Škresnik”) and her mother as Barbara, née Plesnik (with house name “Ručaljnica” – referred to as Piskernik in other records). The record also names the godmother, Franca Klemenc (from the Škresnik homestead), and is signed by the Solčava parish priest, Michael Klemenc. This parish record definitively confirms the birth and parentage of your grandmother Agnes. It ties together the family names we’ve been discussing, showing that Barbara Plesnik/Piskernik is documented as her mother, and thus solidifies the link to the Plesnik line.
From the above baptism record (Solčava Baptismal Book, 1897), we have the following details about Agnes (“Neža”) Pogorelcnik and her family:
Child (Name at Baptism): Neža Pogorelcnik – “Neža” is the Slovene form of Agnes. She was born on 13 January 1897 in house number 65, Solčava, and baptized on 14 January 1897 (the day after birth, which was typical at that time). In later life (in America), she went by Agnes, but this record uses her original given name Neža.
Father: France Pogorelcnik – This is the Slovene form of Francis/Frank Pogorelcnik. The record notes him as an innkeeper (gostar) and a domačin (local resident) in Solčava. It also records his house name “Škresnik” (written as p.d. Škresnik, meaning “Škresnik by home name”). This indicates that France Pogorelcnik’s family home was known as the Škresnik farm/inn. The use of Škresnik as a nickname helps confirm we have the right family, since it’s a unique identifier for the Pogorelcniks in that area.
Mother: Barbara (rojena Plesnik) – The mother is listed as Barbara, née Plesnik. This means Barbara’s maiden surname was Plesnik. Crucially, the record also includes additional information about her: it names her mother as Helena Šoštar and gives a house name “Ručaljnica.” In the entry, Barbara is described as “Barbara, rojena Plesnik, hči Helene Šoštar, p.d. Ručaljnica”. Translated, this means “Barbara, born Plesnik, daughter of Helena Šoštar, [by the house name] Ručaljnica.” This tells us Barbara’s mother was Helena Šoštar (Ručaljnica house). The house name Ručaljnica might be the homestead where Barbara was born or grew up. It’s interesting to note that in later records Barbara is referred to as “Barbara Piskernik” – now we understand that Piskernik was likely another local name associated with her (possibly through her father or a property). So this baptism entry effectively links Barbara Plesnik (her legal name) to Barbara Piskernik (her house name), since we know it’s the same person being the mother of Agnes.
Residence: The place of birth is Solčava house no. 65. House numbers were used in those times to identify exact homesteads within the village. So Logarska Dolina or Solčava #65 corresponds to a specific farm—likely the Škresnik/Pogorelcnik home where Franc was innkeeper. This is consistent with the father’s nickname being Škresnik (the house name).
Godparent: Franca Klemenc – She is listed as the godmother (botra) of the child. The record describes her as “Franca Klemenc, hči Franca Klemenca, p.d. Škresnik,” meaning “Franca Klemenc, daughter of Franc Klemenc, of the Škresnik house.” The godmother is thus a daughter from the same Škresnik homestead, possibly a relative or close family friend of the Pogorelcniks. (It was common for godparents to be kin or neighbors.) Her presence as godmother further ties the Pogorelcnik family to the Škresnik house community.
Priest/Officiant: Michael Klemenc – The baptism was performed and recorded by Mihael (Michael) Klemenc, who was the parish priest in Solčava at the time. His signature and notes appear in the record.
Notes in the Record: The priest made a note about the mother’s background, which is somewhat unusual and therefore valuable. By specifically naming Helena Šoštar as Barbara’s mother, he provided an extra generation of information. This detail could imply that Barbara Plesnik was possibly born out of wedlock (since they highlighted her mother’s name rather than her father’s), or it was simply to distinguish which branch of the Plesnik family she came from (through her mother’s line). The note “p.d. Ručaljnica” shows the importance of house names: Ručaljnica was the nickname of Helena Šoštar’s family home, and the priest included it to precisely identify Barbara’s originsmyheritage.com.
Overall, this baptism entry for Neža (Agnes) Pogorelcnik is the crucial evidence linking your grandmother to her Slovenian roots. It confirms that Barbara Plesnik (aka Piskernik) is indeed her mother, and it situates the family in a specific locale (Solčava 65, house “Škresnik”) in January 1897. This matches the family narrative you’ve been tracing and provides the official proof needed for your genealogy and citizenship documentation.
Significance of the Findings
These findings carry significant weight for both your family history and the Slovenian citizenship application:
Proof of Birth and Ancestry: The church baptism record serves as official proof of your ancestor’s birth in what is now Slovenia. Since civil birth registration was not uniformly implemented in that region in 1897, the church record is the primary evidence of birthmyheritage.com. Such records are generally accepted by authorities as equivalent to a birth certificate for historical births. This means Agnes (Neža) Pogorelcnik’s Slovenian origin is now documented with an official source.
Barbara Plesnik = Barbara Piskernik: We have resolved the confusion about the two last names. The record explicitly uses Plesnik and provides context (house names) that explain Piskernik. This ensures there is no doubt that all references point to the same person. When gathering documents, you can confidently include records under both names, knowing they refer to your great-grandmother Barbara.
Multi-Generational Insight: An unexpected bonus from the baptism entry is the mention of Helena Šoštar(Barbara’s mother). This gives you another generation on your maternal line in Solčava. It might be possible now to find Barbara Plesnik’s own birth/baptism record (likely around the 1870s or 1880s) by looking for a child named Barbara born to Helena Šoštar (and a father, if listed) – possibly in the same parish. This could further extend your Slovenian ancestry documentation if needed.
Context of Time and Place: The details like house names (Škresnik, Ručaljnica, Piskernik) and occupations (innkeeper) flesh out the historical context of your family in Solčava. It appears the Pogorelcnik family were established locals (having a house name indicates a longstanding presence). Solčava is a small Alpine parish; knowing the exact house and the family nickname means you’ve pinpointed your ancestral homestead, which is a remarkable piece of family history.
Citizenship Application Prep: All of this verified information will be essential when you compile your application. Typically, Slovenia will require proof that your ancestor was a Slovenian (Austro-Hungarian) citizen or born in Slovenia and proof of your relationship to them. The baptism record proves the former, and your grandmother’s later documents (e.g. marriage, naturalization, etc.) will show the link from her to you. Having multiple names for the same person documented isn’t unusual in such applications, but it’s important to clearly explain the name variation – which you now can, with evidence. You might include a short note in your application that “Barbara Plesnik (maiden name) was also known by the house name Piskernik, as was customary in Solčava – both names refer to the same individual,” backed up by copies of the records.
Next Steps: Obtaining Official Documents
To use these findings for your citizenship process, you will need official copies of the relevant records. Here’s how to proceed:
Certified Baptism Extract for Agnes (Neža) Pogorelcnik: You should request an official extract of the baptism entry from the Solčava parish or the diocesan archive. The parish church in Solčava holds the original register, and the Archdiocese of Maribor’s archive (Nadškofija Maribor) might hold duplicate church registers. In your request, include all key details: the name Neža Pogorelcnik, date of birth/baptism (13/14 January 1897), parents’ names (Franc Pogorelcnik and Barbara Plesnik), and the parish (Solčava). If you have the register reference (e.g., “Solčava Baptismal Book 175, entry for 1897, page 156”), include that as well to make their search easier. Emphasize that you need an official stamped copy for legal purposes.
Barbara Plesnik’s Records: Since the goal is citizenship by descent, the critical record is your ancestor’s birth. However, it might be wise to also obtain Barbara Plesnik’s own baptism or birth record and the marriage record of Franc Pogorelcnik and Barbara Plesnik (if they married, likely around 1896 given Agnes was born early 1897). A marriage certificate could further support the link between Barbara’s maiden name and any married name. If Barbara was from the same parish, her baptism would be in Solčava’s books (approximately in the 1870s). If she was from a nearby parish, you’d have to search there – but the note about Helena Šoštar suggests Barbara may have been born illegitimately in Solčava (since her mother’s name is noted). You could ask the Solčava parish if Barbara’s baptism (as a daughter of Helena Šoštar) is recorded in their books. Any additional documents you gather on Barbara can strengthen your application by providing a fuller paper trail.
Language for Correspondence: It’s highly recommended to write to the parish in Slovenian, as local officials will respond faster and more helpfully in the native language. Below is a draft of a request letter in Slovene that you can use or adapt. It politely requests the baptism certificate for Neža (Agnes) and offers to pay any fees. Make sure to replace the placeholder parts (like [Vaše ime] for your name) with your actual information before sending.
Draft Request Letter in Slovenian
(This letter is addressed to the Solčava parish office and requests an official extract of the baptism record for Neža (Agnes) Pogorelcnik. You can send it via postal mail or possibly email if the parish has an email contact. Print and sign the letter if mailing, and consider including a copy of your ID and the reason you need the document.)
Parish Details
The Župnijski urad (parish office) address is:
3335 Solčava 21
Phone: 03 838 40 43 Instagram+10zupnija-solcava.si+10zupnija-solcava.si+10
The parish priest is Viki Košec (from Luče), assisted by Kaplan p. Karel Gržan Škofija Celje+6zupnija-solcava.si+6zupnija-solcava.si+6.
It also lists the churches in the parish:
Main parish church: Marije Snežne (St. Mary of the Snows) in central Solčava.
Subsidiary chapels: • Kristus Kralj (Christ the King) in Logarska Dolina (used occasionally), and • Sveti Duh pod Olševo (Holy Spirit chapel) Škofija Celje+10zupnija-solcava.si+10KRAJI+10.
Confirmation
These details confirm that you are dealing with the Solčava parish, which holds the baptism and birth registers you've been referencing (such as the 1897 and 1892 entries).
What You Can Do Next
This website provides essential contact details for your next step:
Task
Details
Write to the parish
Use the address and phone number to mail or call the Župnijski urad. You can send your request letter (ideally in Slovenian) to get certified extracts.
Župnijski urad Solčava
Solčava 26
3335 Solčava
Slovenija
Spoštovani,
v krstni matični knjigi župnije Solčava je zabeležen krst moje stare mame, Neže Pogorelcnik, rojene 13. januarja 1897 v hiši št. 65 v Solčavi (krščena 14. januarja 1897). Njeni starši so Franc Pogorelcnik (po domače “Škresnik”) in Barbara (rojena Plesnik, po domače “Piskernik”).
Lepo prosim za izdajo uradnega izpiska (potrdila) tega krstnega zapisa. Potrebujem ga za urejanje postopka pridobitve slovenskega državljanstva po prednikih.
Če potrebujete še kakšne dodatne informacije ali dokumente z moje strani, mi prosim sporočite. Prav tako me zanima, kako lahko poravnam morebitne stroške ali takso za izdajo izpiska – z veseljem bom poravnala vse nastale stroške.
Za vaš čas in pomoč se vam vnaprej najlepše zahvaljujem.
S spoštovanjem,
[Vaše ime]
[Vaš naslov]
[Vaš kontaktni email ali telefon]
([Your name, address, and contact] in Slovenian format)
English summary of the above letter: In the letter, you introduce the details of the baptism record you need – giving Neža Pogorelcnik’s name and birth/baptism dates, and her parents’ names (with both surnames and house names to avoid any confusion). You politely ask for an official extract of that baptism entry and explain it’s needed for a Slovenian citizenship by descent application. You offer to provide additional info if needed and ask how to handle any fees for the certificate. The letter closes with a thank-you in advance and a formal greeting. This should be a clear and respectful request to the parish.
Sending this request to the Solčava parish office (at the address given) is the first step. If the parish is unable to issue the document directly, they may forward you to the Archdiocesan Archive that holds the records. Be prepared that there might be a small fee for the extract and for postage. They might instruct you to pay via bank transfer or another method before they send the certified copy. Responses can take a few weeks, so if you don’t hear back in, say, 4–6 weeks, a follow-up call or email (if available) could be helpful.
Figure: U.S. Certificate of Naturalization for Agnes Pogorelcnik (married name Agnes Kolenc), issued in 1932. It lists her as 34 years old at the time, of “Jugoslav” (Yugoslav) nationality, which is consistent with her origin in Solčava, Slovenia (then part of Austria-Hungary, later Yugoslavia). Such documents from the U.S. side, when matched with the Slovenian parish records, help confirm that the Agnes who emigrated is the same Neža Pogorelcnik born in Solčava in 1897. Once you obtain the Slovenian baptism extract, you will pair it with your grandmother’s other documents (like the above naturalization record, her marriage or death certificate, etc.) to build the evidence for citizenship. The naturalization certificate (shown above) is useful because it demonstrates that Agnes changed nationality and it provides a timeline (she became a U.S. citizen in 1932 at age 34). Combined with the Slovenian baptism record (showing birth in 1897), it solidly verifies her identity across countries. Make sure the names line up in your documentation: for instance, Agnes Kolenc (name after marriage in the U.S.) is proven to be the same person as Agnes Pogorelcnik by showing her maiden name on, say, a marriage record or an obituary. All these pieces together create a chain from Slovenia to the U.S. to you.
In summary, you have successfully found the key record of your ancestor in Slovenia and clarified the dual-name issue. The Solčava baptism record for Agnes (Neža) Pogorelcnik with parents Franc Pogorelcnik and Barbara Plesnik (Piskernik) is the cornerstone of your application for Slovenian citizenship by descent. With this document (and others you’ve gathered), you are well on your way to demonstrating your lineage. The next step is simply to get the official copies and submit them as required. Good luck with your application, and congratulations on uncovering this piece of your family history – it’s a meaningful connection to your roots in Slovenia!myheritage.commyheritage.com
What is shown on their site:
Parish Office Address:
· Župnijski urad
· 3335 Solčava 21
Clergy:
Parish Priest: Viki Košec
Assistant Priest: Kaplan p. Karel Gržan
Phone Number: 03 838 40 43
No email address listed in sections like Župnija, Oznanila, or Kje nas najdete. gams.uni-graz.at+7zupnija-solcava.si+7zupnija-solcava.si+7
Tips for Contact
Method
Notes
Phone Call
Best immediate option—call 03 838 40 43 to ask for: office hours, whether they accept email requests, and if so, for the correct email.
Postal Mail
You can prepare and send your request by post—this is reliable if they don’t accept email.
Website Contact Form?
None visible. The website doesn’t include a contact form or general parish email.
Recommended Script for a Phone Call (Slovenian)
Dober dan,
ali mi lahko sporočite e-poštni naslov župnijske pisarne, kamor bi lahko poslali prošnjo za uradni izpisek krstnega zapisa? Hvala in lep pozdrav.
Translation:
Hello, can you please tell me the parish office email address where I can send a request for an official baptism certificate? Thank you and best regards.
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