Administrative Divisions

There are terms every genealogist needs to know. The administrative terms could be confusing especially as they changed often due to political history. Yet I feel this is important basics required to build the knowledge. Hope this little article can clear it up. History of our ancestors in Eastern Europe is made up of three major periods

1. Polish 1500-1795.
   - when the Jews moved from German Eastward and settled in Poland. The process started earlier and by 1500s substantial number of Jews found in all the countries that made up later Pale of Settlement. This period came to end by the third (last) division of Poland
2. Russian 1795-1917
The borders of the newly formed provinces were redrawn as the results of territorial acquisition.
3. Soviet 1917-1991
   - Yet again

To compare it I would use American term for the State and County.

Country	State	County
Polish	Wojewodship	Powiat (Povet)
Russian	Gubernia	Uezd
Russian (Soviet)	Oblast	Rayon

Therefore this post could be used as the reference