Palestine, Ottoman Census and Population Registers - FamilySearch Historical Records

What is in This Collection?
This collection contains population registers kept by the Ottoman Empire from 1878 to 1917. During this time Palestine was arranged into ten districts. After World War I these registers were left behind by the Turks and collected by the British Administration. Many of the registers have been lost over time. In 1948, the registers were transferred to to the government of Israel and deposited with the Israel State Archives.

From a finding aid published by the Israel State Archives: "Ottoman law required registration of births, deaths, marriages, divorces and changes of address. Men of military age were listed particularly during World War I. Foreign nationals residing in Palestine were also listed. Most of the the registers are based on the censuses carried out in 1884, 1905, 1911, and 1915. Space was left at the end of the entries for subsequent up-dating. Many of the registers contains such entries in the years following the censuses."

Each district includes cities (divided into neighborhoods), towns, and villages in present day Israel/Palestine, and parts of Jordan and Egypt. Registration within each locality is according to religious affiliation. The localities identified in this collection are: • 3

This collection includes several types of registers. A descriptive catalog for this collection can be found on Film 1212838, DGS 8214019.
 * Preliminary registers - data from the 1905 census, which may have been subsequently added to, including: name of city, village, head of household, occupation, religion, birth date and place, marital status, military service, etc.
 * Basic registers - similar to the preliminary registers, but generally more exact and complete, with subsequent data added
 * Early population registers - prior to 1905
 * Registers of births, marriages, divorces, deaths and changes of address
 * Registers of men of military age - from World War I
 * Register of foreigners - includes clergy, government officials, residents of educational and charitable institutions
 * Mukhtar's (village chieftan) Registers - handwritten records compiled by community officials

Reading These Records
These records are written in Turkish with an Arabic script.

What Can These Records Tell Me?
The following information may be found in these records: • 2

How Do I Search This Collection?
Before searching this collection, it is helpful to know:
 * Name of the person
 * Approximate date of the event

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?

 * Add any new information to your records
 * If available, check the image for additional information
 * Analyze the entry to see if it provides additional clues to find other records of the person or their family

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

 * The person may be recorded with an abbreviated or variant form of their name
 * Try searching by surname only

Research Helps
The following articles will help you research your family in Palestine.
 * State of Palestine Religious Records
 * State of Palestine Church Records
 * State of Palestine Colonial Records

Other FamilySearch Collections
These collections may have additional materials to help you with your research.

FamilySearch Catalog

 * Nüfūs registers (Ottoman census and population registers of Palestine), 1883-1917

FamilySearch Historical Images

 * Palestine, Nablus, Population Registers - FamilySearch Historical Records

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.