Russia, Karelia Poll Tax Census (Revision Lists) - FamilySearch Historical Records

What is in This Collection?
This collection will include records from 1782-1858. Images of family lists for the tax-paying population (about 95% of the population) conducted primarily in the years 1782, 1795, 1811, 1816, 1833-1834, 1850-1851, and 1857-1858. Some outlying years are included. Localities reflect the places that existed during the period of the Russian Empire since the records were created at that time. Please note these exceptions when working on Russian genealogy.

Reading These Records
These records are in Russian. For help reading these records see the following guides:
 * Russia Language and Languages
 * Russian Genealogical Word List
 * Russia Handwriting
 * FamilySearch Learning Center videos:
 * Reading Russian Handwritten Records

What Can These Records Tell Me?
The following information may be found in these records:


 * Name of head of household
 * Names of household members
 * Age of head of household
 * Ages of household members
 * Household members relationship to the head of household

View the Images
View images in this collection by visiting the :
 * 1) Select Province
 * 2) Select District
 * 3) Select Place
 * 4) Select Years/Volume to view the images.

How Do I Analyze the Results?
Compare each result from your search with what you know to determine if there is a match. This may require viewing multiple records or images. Keep track of your research in a research log.

I Found the Person I Was Looking For, What Now?
Use your ancestor's age to find an approximate birth year to begin your search in church or civil records. Continue to search the records to identify children, siblings, parents, and other relatives who may have moved, joined the military, or lived nearby. This can help you identify other generations of your family. Repeat this process for each new generation you identify.

Compile the entries for every person who has the same surname; this is especially helpful in rural areas or if the surname is unusual. This compiled list can help you identify possible relations that can be further verified by researching vital records indexes in the country. When you have located your ancestor’s record, carefully evaluate each piece of information given. Save a copy of the image or transcribe the information. These pieces of information may give you new biographical details such as a title, an occupation, or land ownership. Add this new information to your records of each family. You should also look for leads to other records about your ancestors.

Church Records often were kept years before government records were required and are a good source for finding ancestors before 1900.

I Can’t Find the Person I’m Looking For, What Now?

 * Switch to a different record collection. Depending on the time period, either Civil Registration records or Church Records may be more useful
 * While searching, it is helpful to know such information as the ancestor’s given name and surname, birth date, residence and age, and family relationships
 * There may be more than one person in the records with the same name as your ancestor. Compile all the names, as this may help narrow your search when research vital records
 * Search the indexes and records of local genealogical societies
 * Earlier records may not contain as much information as the records created after the late 1800
 * There is also some variation in the information given from one record to another

Research Helps
The following articles will help you in your research for your family in Russia.
 * Record Finder
 * Research Tips and Strategies

Citing This Collection
Citations help you keep track of places you have searched and sources you have found. Identifying your sources helps others find the records you used.