Father or Son? Decoding Names in Soul Revision Lists

Perhaps you’ve encountered a situation where a soul revision list includes just two names—Juris Mārtiņš, for example. But which is which? Are these two given names, or is one a surname?

Created by Dall-E

This week I was researching the soul revision lists for Bābele Manor (Germ. Barbern). As a reminder, these revisions were a type of population register introduced in the Russian Empire by Peter I, intended to track taxable individuals and conscription potential. Peasants were listed according to where they lived. (You can read more about revisions here.)

Naming Practices Before Surnames

In 1834, when the revision in Bābele was conducted, surnames had not yet been introduced in Courland (Kurzeme). Only in 1835 were new revision lists compiled with adopted surnames. Even though serfdom was abolished earlier in Courland (1817) than in Livonia (1819), the process of assigning surnames lagged behind. In contrast, Livonia had created surname lists by 1826.

As a result, in the 1834 Bābele revision list, men were recorded using two names—see the example below:

• Column 1: Name (Bertul Krist)

• Column 2: Age during the previous revision (20)

• Column 3: Notes on relocation, death, or conscription (relocated to No. 58)

1834 Revision

At first glance, it’s easy to think the first column lists two baptismal names. By the late 19th century, especially in Riga, it had become fashionable to give children two or even three given names. This trend didn’t necessarily indicate German heritage, as is sometimes assumed—though it may have reflected a desire to emulate the German upper classes.

Reading Between the Lines: Patronymics

But in this 1834 case, comparing multiple revisions helps clarify the structure. It becomes evident that the second name is typically the father’s. For instance, in the 1826 revision:

• Bērtulis, son of Krists, farmhand from household 58, age 20

• Juris, son of Miķelis, servant, age 40

That makes it clear: what looks like a second given name is often a patronymic—indicating the father’s name.

A Case of Mistaken Identity

Still, these conventions were not immune to error. I found a case in the 1834 revision where Juris is listed as the son of Mārtiņš, and Juris himself has a son named Jānis.

Jurre Martin and his son Jahn (1834)

However, by 1850, the names had been reversed. The revision entry now listed:

• Juris, son of Mārtiņš

• Jānis Mārtiņš (implying he was also Mārtiņš’s son)

  
  

The side note about their prior residence still confirmed the correct relationship:

• Juris, son of Mārtiņš Bisdags, and his son Jānis

Martin's son Jurre Bisdag and his son, Jahn 1850

Between the 1834 and 1850 revisions, Jānis had grown up and moved to a new household. But in the new 1850 listing, his father's name was mistakenly recorded as Mārtiņš instead of Juris.

Jahn Martin Bisdag (1850)

The error persisted into the 1858 revision and only became evident by meticulously tracking the family across all revisions.

This is a reminder that historical documents, while invaluable, are not infallible. Errors happen—so thorough cross-checking is essential when doing genealogical research.