N. A. Naidenov and publication of poll-tax registers (soul revisions) in the multivolume “Materials for the history of the Moscow merchantry” (1883-1889)

Introduction. Poll-tax registers (soul revisions) are widely used as a historical source for the study of history, demography and genealogy of the lower social classes in the last 25 years. This article focuses on the information potential and evolution of standard form of poll-tax records regarding Naidenov’s publication specifically. This work has been published in 1883 to 1889. Materials and methods. This article is based on the wide range of sources, including archival materials, which allow to reconstruct the discussions on this publication both in the Moscow Municipal Government (City Duma) and the Moscow Merchant’s Association, and practical realization of works. System analysis and biographical reconstruction were used as the main research methods. Results. The goals, realization and motives of Naidenov’s genealogical research activity in the last third of the nineteenth century to 1905 were analyzed on the basis of representative cases from many different sources. It was revealed that the preparation of the book included the search of these primary Moscow merchants’ poll-tax records (from the 1st revision of 1719 till the 10th revision of 1858) in archives, elaboration of the program of their publication, and preparation of regesta as a special procedure of data extraction, that should provide us with a compressed yet complete content of the primary source. The article presents a biography of Nikolai Naidenov who was a textile manufacturer and banker, the chairman of the Moscow Exchange Committee, and the author of an initiative to publish the archival documents on the history of Moscow merchantry. The article also offers a detailed history of the Naidenovs family printing and dyeing factory which existed for more than 75 years, as well as the picture of constant changes of textile processing specialization of the company in accordance with market demand. The second part of the article examines Naidenov’s activity to organize and promote this multivolume publication as a member of the Moscow City Duma and the Merchant’s Association, and describes his collaboration with prominent archive historians for that matter. Discussion. The study allows to look more broadly at the question of the enlightened merchants’ contribution to the national cultural development and the inclusion of genealogy knowledge into the construction of their self-identity. Conclusion. The results of the study show that the publication of poll-tax records of the merchant population of Moscow became an important achievement of Nikolay Naidenov’s public and research activities. Simultaneously the idea of revelation and presentation of merchantry history influenced the improvement of bourgeoisie social and political status.