Ancestral Villages - Hedčany

Hedčany seems to be the ancestral home of many Zeteks. According to Olga Koliskova, it was founded probably in the 11th century by Polish captives of Czech prince Bretislav I from his Polish military campaign in 1039. In the Thirty Years' War the village was totally plundered and destroyed. In the beginning of the 18th century there were only nine farms.

A note: the relationships of the various Zetek/Zettek ancestors is a bit muddled. I will relate the info as I know it, but it may change as Olga does further research into the family. Corrections will be made as necessary.

This old postcard of Hedčany (date unknown), given to me by one of the new cousins, shows the old school, which still stands, although it is now in ruin. There is no sign of the domed building standing today; I don't know what was displayed there. The single story house between the two is House No. 12, which was a Zetek family home at one time. It is likely that Martin Zetek (1787-?) and his father, Thomas Zetek (1749-?) were both born there. Martin is the father of Vaclav I, who is the father of Vaclav II, our common ancestor. House No. 13 is adjacent to House No. 12, behind the school.

This is the school with House No. 12 seen at left. House No. 13 is behind the trees.Below is house No. 12. It has long been sold out of the family.
House No. 12 was passed down from Vaclav I to his son Josef (1882-?) and then to his son Vaclav (1921-1983). The house was sold in 1983 to a Mr. Ditrich, who was kind enough to let us into the yard to take photographs.
Behind House No. 13. The small addition on the right is new (since 1983).
Miloslav was able to point out where the chicken coop stood and some buildings he had built with his father. The red-roofed house is No. 12.
Behind the houses, and surrounding the village, there is rolling farmland. We walked along a dirt track toward the cemetery. Miloslav pointed out that these fields once belonged to the Zetek family.
At the cemetery were numerous well-kept graves. I snapped a few photos of Zetek graves. This one says: "Zetek Family"
This is the grave of the previously unknown sister, Frantiska Zetkova.
This is the grave of Josef Zetek (1926-1968) and his wife, Alzbeta (1933-1995).
The last photo is the tombstone of Karel Zetek (1922-1986) and his wife, Anna (1921-2002). I am assuming Jaroslav (1954-1983) to be their son.

Next post: Slatina, and more cousins.