Estonia Census

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Estonia

Census

Online Resources

• 1784-1944 Estonia, Census, Tax and House Lists, 1784 to 1944 at Ancestry — index & images ($)
• 1826-1916 Estonia, Soul List Registers, 1826-1916 at Ancestry — index & images ($)
• History Of Population Censuses ii Estonia

Introduction

Censuses have been enumerated in Estonia in 1881, 1897, 1922, 1934, 1959, 1970, 1979, 1989, 2000, 2011. The 1897 census was conducted by Imperial Russia. General information about these censuses can be found at Statistics Estonia.

1897 Russian Empire 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 enumerated in Estonia on January 28, 1897. Two copies were created, one kept locally and the other sent into the Ministry. The Ministry copy was eventually destroyed, but the local copy has survived in some regional archives and at the Estonian Historical Archive in Tartu. About 70% of the population can be found in the census.

There is a separate census list for each household consisting of a form cover page and the census return which lists the names of the members of the household. There were three types of 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 second census was anticipated in 1914 but World War I intervened.

Accessing the Records

SAAGA

Some census records from what is now modern day Estonia are now preserved in the Latvian State Historical Archives; however, they are accessible via the Estonian site SAAGA. Census returns are available for Tartu and Saaremaa.

Raduraksti

Raduraksti, the Latvian State Historical Archives digital reading room has 1897 census records for locations within Tartu County, Võru County, Pärnu county, and Arnsburg.

Reading the Records

For help reading the 1897 Census, see the 1897 Census "How to" Guide.