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

What is in This Collection?
This collection of poll tax census revision lists, from the period between 1719-1859, includes images of family lists for the taxpaying population (about 95% of the population). It was conducted primarily in the years 1719-1724, 1743-1747, 1761-1767, 1782, 1795, 1811, 1816, 1833-1834, 1850-1851, 1857-1858, including outlying years. The localities reflect those that existed during the period of the Russian Empire. Revisions lists were revised or updated, sometimes several times, until the next census was recorded. Ten revisions were conducted at irregular intervals.

The lists contain the names of all taxable persons from each city, town, village, or estate and are arranged by household. Many volumes are preceded with an index. These records are written in Russian. These records identify family groups, relationships, and ages at the time of the census.

For a list of records by localities and dates currently published in this collection, select the Browse link from the collection landing page.

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
 * Nationality

View the Images
View images in this collection by visiting the :
 * 1) Select Province
 * 2) Select District or City
 * 3) Select Year/Vol 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 the age in the citizen 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, been recruited 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, some identifying information such as residence and age, and family relationships. Remember that there may be more than one person in the records with the same name as an ancestor and that the ancestor may have used nicknames or different names at different times
 * Keep in mind that there may be more than one person in the records with the same name
 * Standard spelling of names typically did not exist during the periods our ancestors lived in. Try variations of your ancestor’s name while searching the index or browsing through images. Pay special attention to how the name should have been pronounced and try variations on the pronunciation
 * Remember that sometimes individuals went by nicknames or alternated between using first and middle names
 * 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

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.