The Revision Lists (Реви́зские ска́зки, Reviskie Skazki) were extensive censuses conducted by the Russian Empire during the 18th and 19th centuries. These lists documented individuals and families within the empire for purposes of taxation and military conscription, capturing a snapshot of social and family structures across various territories.
Moldova, also known historically as Moldavia, was established as an independent principality in the 14th century. From the 16th century, it became a vassal state under the influence of the Ottoman Empire. However, in 1812, following the Russo-Turkish War, the eastern part of the principality—Bessarabia—was ceded to the Russian Empire under the Treaty of Bucharest. The remaining part of Moldavia stayed under Ottoman influence.
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Revision lists in MoldovaRevision lists in Moldova
For regions like Bessarabia, which became part of the Russian Empire following the 1812 Treaty of Bucharest, the lists included several major censuses:
- Seventh Revision (1815-1825). Though this revision was part of the empire’s records, no surviving documentation has been found specifically for Moldova, possibly due to the region's unique status post-annexation.
- Eighth Revision (1833-1835). Like the seventh, records for Moldova are yet to be discovered, although later revisions refer to entries that seem to originate from this period.
- Ninth Revision (1848-1854). This revision includes Jewish families in Bessarabia, showing continuity with prior registration numbers. Documents from cities like Kishinev and Hotin provide valuable genealogical data from this period.
- Tenth Revision (1856-1859). The last known major census of the Russian Empire, which continued to catalog residents of Bessarabia, with additional records and updates added over the years.[1][2]
Additionally, in 1774, during conflicts with the Ottoman Empire, Russian military authorities counted around 1,300 Jewish families in Moldavia, which encompassed present-day Bessarabia and parts of Romania, including the city of Iași. Unfortunately, no records from this early survey have been recovered.
Currently, available Revision List records offer a window into the 19th-century Jewish and general populations in Bessarabia, which may help trace family histories and demographic shifts influenced by Russian imperial policy.
Information provided by revision listsInformation provided by revision lists
The Revision Lists were highly detailed population records. These lists typically included:
- Names of each family member within a household.
- Ages and, occasionally, birthplaces.
- Social class or occupation (such as tradespeople, peasants, or clergy).
- Residential status (whether they were local or had migrated from other regions).
- Tax obligations and military conscription status, identifying individuals for potential army drafts.
The information provided insight into social, economic, and demographic dynamics within the Empire. For Jewish communities specifically, the Revision Lists serve as some of the earliest available documents, often providing unique data on family connections and movements across regions within the Empire.
These lists are stored in various state and national archives across former Russian territories. For Bessarabia, relevant records are mainly held in the National Archives of Moldova (Arhiva Națională a Republicii Moldova), and some documents also exist in Russian and Ukrainian archives, such as the Central Archives for the History of the Jewish People in Jerusalem, which holds microfilm copies of some revision Lists.
See alsoSee also
Explore more about revision lists in MoldovaExplore more about revision lists in Moldova
- Bessarabia, Revision Lists from JewishGen at MyHeritage
- Archival documents relating to Jewish roots in Moldova (former Bessarabia). Romania Moldova Bessarabia Genealogy
References
- ↑ Moldova. European Genealogical Center
- ↑ "Перепись населения". Архивные описи дела давно минувших дней. 21 Mar 2020. Retrieved 22 Mar 2023.