Rural Census is unique important source of genealogical information. Unlike all the other censuses, its geography includes all country side of the Vasilkov district while ignoring the main towns of Vasilkov, Belaya Tserkov and Fastov. This census was first recorded in 1882 by administration of sub-district (volost) within the Vasilkov district.
These lists are compiled based on two documents:
These lists are compiled based on two documents:
- Registration lists of Jews living in rural places of Vasilkov district according to the law from 3rd(?) of May 1882
- Similar lists of Jews living in settlements according to the law from 29th of December 1887.
While some localities differentiated in how they collected information, most of them recorded all members of the household with indication of the head's profession, place of origin (often based on the place where the passport or other relevant document was issued). In many instances ages are recorded as well. Additionally in 1895 most of the volosts with exception of Belaya Tserkov made another attempt to check and reconcile this information. It was based on direct order given by Kiev governor on from 8 July and 15 October of 1893 under #3564 and #6385). All the changes were recorded in red ink on the same documents.
Why important: As the result population changes were recorded in red ink. Thus this provided an interesting insight into the circumstances of family lives between 1882 and 1895. Often people left to the different place then from where they came from. While most of the migrations occurred was still within the district or in the nearby towns, there were at least several who are recorded as "left to America". Thus this information can solve the puzzle of family origin for some researchers interested in this area.
Who they where and Where did they came from:
Based on this information it seems most of the Jews who settled in rural areas of the Vasilkov district were recent newcomers who took advantage of probably more relaxed laws in order to settle the country side often open a business there. Also many of the individuals were retired soldiers.
While majority of these people came from towns of Vasilkov district itself, many others are mentioned as coming from the nearby districts within the Kiev governorate, Volynia governorate (mainly from the area between Zhitomir and Vinnitsa area) and even much further from the modern day Belarus and Lithuania.
While majority of these people came from towns of Vasilkov district itself, many others are mentioned as coming from the nearby districts within the Kiev governorate, Volynia governorate (mainly from the area between Zhitomir and Vinnitsa area) and even much further from the modern day Belarus and Lithuania.
The map below contains over 140 villages mentioned in this census. Centers of each sub-district (volost) appears as green circle. Other villages shown as blue circles. Sub-district borders shown as blue lines are very approximate.