Russian Empire Census

The 1897 Census
The 1897 Russian Imperial Census was the first and only census carried out in the Russian Empire. The census enumerated the entire population of the Empire (excluding Finland) and was designed to gather population and statistical data. The census was conducted on January 28, 1897 as winter was the time when the population was least mobile. On the appointed day, 150,000 census takers completed over thirty million sheets of returns.

There were three forms: (Form А (A), Б (B) or В (V). Form A (A) enumerated peasants residing on farms; Form Б (B) listed landed estates and form В (V) was for city dwellers, military, clergy, etc.

The first page of each form notes state (gubernia), county (uyezd), district (volost), village, name of head of household, number of dwellings, number of souls found on day census was taken (divided by sex), number living there permanently, how many people are there who are not peasants, those who live there but are not official residents, and signature of person who compiled the form.

The second page includes the census return form which contains a wealth of information - both genealogical and personal details! The census recorded:


 * name (given name, patronymic, and surname)
 * note if blind, deaf, mute, or insane
 * relationship to head of household
 * age
 * marital status
 * social rank
 * birthplace
 * where registered
 * residence
 * note if person is absent at the time of the census
 * native tongue
 * literacy
 * place of study (past or current)
 * main profession
 * additional profession
 * military status

A copy was made locally and both copies forwarded to the provincial census commission. One of these was kept by that commission and the other sent to the Central Census Bureau in St. Petersburg. After statistical data from the census was gathered, many of the census returns were destroyed. The St. Petersburg copy is no longer extant but the local copy has survived in some regional archives.

Record Availability
As many 1897 Census returns were destroyed, availability is limited and dependent upon location. To determine what records might exist for your area, check the Archival Fonds of the First All Russian Empire Census of 1897 site. This project seeks to determine what records have been preserved and which archives they are presently stored in.

Also consider checking gubernia pages on the FamilySearch Wiki to see if there are area specific resources and information available. Keep in mind the Russian Empire Wiki is a work in progress and a page for your gubernia may not be created yet. Check back often for updates.

Reading Records
The 1897 Census records were primarily recorded in Russian. For help reading your ancestor's 1897 census return, please see the Reading the 1897 Census "How" To Guide.

For free translation help, consider the FamilySearch Community - a place where you can get research and translation assistance. Be sure to place your translation request in the Russian Empire Genealogy Research Group.

Additional Research Assistance
Need additional research assistance with the 1897 Census? Get help through Virtual Genealogy Consultations, a free service provided by the FamilySearch Library, or via the FamilySearch Community.


 * To meet with a research specialist who can provide you with research assistance and next steps, schedule a free 20-minute consultation. To sign up for a consultation, see Virtual Genealogy Consultations.
 * To ask a question via the FamilySearch Community, an online forum where you can get free research assistance from the broader genealogical community, click here. Be sure to join the Russian Empire Genealogy Research Group!