Dzieje rodu Palarczyków z parafii cierlickiej na Śląsku Cieszyńskim od XVIII do początku XX wieku

The Palarczyk family was a peasant family originating from the village of Szobiszowice (Soběšovice). The article presents the history of the first generations of the family (until the end of the 18th century) and the fate of the most famous family line, descending from Jan (1705–1765), an innkeeper in Stanisłowice (Stanislavice) and Kocobędz (Chotěbuz). The most famous representative of the family was Karol (1879–1940), a farmer in Goleszów, and a member of the National Council of the Duchy of Cieszyn. Additionally, two general issues were raised using the example of the Palarczyk family. The first is the functioning of peasant elites in the Duchy of Cieszyn, the second – language issues. The Palarczyk family in Szobiszowice spoke Czech (Moravian), whereas the Palarczyk family from the Cierlicko parish spoke Polish. A detailed analysis confirms the clear Czech/Moravian-Polish linguistic border indicated, among others, by church sources and the topography of Reginald Kneifel. At the same time these findings force us to reject the theses about the supposed “linguistic transition area” to the west of the Olza River.