Norka Census Lists
The censuses of the old Russian Empire were intended to keep track of people, particularly men who might be of military service age. In 1702, Peter the Great commissioned the first census of Russia. Following this first census, there were a series of revisions that begins with those listed in the prior census and updates their status as of the current census revision.
The following census lists are currently available for Norka:
1767 - This is the third revision of the 1702 census. The colony of Norka is listed in Band 3 (Volume 3) of a 4 volume set titled Einwanderung in Das Wolgagebiet 1764-1767 by Igor Pleve. Given that this census was taken in Norka in December 1767, it is sometimes referred to as "the first settlers list." This volume can be purchased from the American Historical Society of Germans from Russia. Digital images of the original census list have been obtained.
1775 - The fourth census revision is available for purchase from the American Historical Society of Germans from Russia and includes the 1798 census.
1798 - This is the fifth revision to the 1702 census. Norka is included in the two volume set titled 1798 Census of the German Colonies along the Volga: Economy, Population, and Agriculture by Dr. Brent Mai. This two volume set can be purchased from the American Historical Society of Germans from Russia. As noted above, the 1798 census can also be purchased with 1775 census list.
1811 - The 1811 census is the sixth revision to the 1702 census and includes only male household members. This census list, translated by Richard Rye, can be purchased from the American Historical Society of Germans from Russia. Digital images of the original census have been obtained.
1834 - This census is the eighth revision list and it is available to purchase from Dr. Brent Mai.
1857 - This census is the tenth revision list and it is available to purchase from Dr. Brent Mai.
All of the census lists are available for research at the Center for Volga German Studies at Concordia University in Portland, Oregon or AHSGR headquarters in Lincoln, Nebraska.
We remain hopeful that later census lists will be found in the Russian archives.
The following census lists are currently available for Norka:
1767 - This is the third revision of the 1702 census. The colony of Norka is listed in Band 3 (Volume 3) of a 4 volume set titled Einwanderung in Das Wolgagebiet 1764-1767 by Igor Pleve. Given that this census was taken in Norka in December 1767, it is sometimes referred to as "the first settlers list." This volume can be purchased from the American Historical Society of Germans from Russia. Digital images of the original census list have been obtained.
1775 - The fourth census revision is available for purchase from the American Historical Society of Germans from Russia and includes the 1798 census.
1798 - This is the fifth revision to the 1702 census. Norka is included in the two volume set titled 1798 Census of the German Colonies along the Volga: Economy, Population, and Agriculture by Dr. Brent Mai. This two volume set can be purchased from the American Historical Society of Germans from Russia. As noted above, the 1798 census can also be purchased with 1775 census list.
1811 - The 1811 census is the sixth revision to the 1702 census and includes only male household members. This census list, translated by Richard Rye, can be purchased from the American Historical Society of Germans from Russia. Digital images of the original census have been obtained.
1834 - This census is the eighth revision list and it is available to purchase from Dr. Brent Mai.
1857 - This census is the tenth revision list and it is available to purchase from Dr. Brent Mai.
All of the census lists are available for research at the Center for Volga German Studies at Concordia University in Portland, Oregon or AHSGR headquarters in Lincoln, Nebraska.
We remain hopeful that later census lists will be found in the Russian archives.
Last updated January 31, 2019.