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ossnhughie
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Posted: Wed Mar 19, 2014 9:22 pm Post subject: Class Structure in 19th Century Russian Poland?

For anyone out there who might have an educated guess or better yet, a definite answer I would be appreciative.
The question I have is what exactly does "Middle Class" mean when the Priest refers to people in a baptismal record? I notice a majority of records translated come out as peasants, day laborer, or farmer; Did middle class folks own their own piece of land or a home or were they in the trades?

I was surprised to see that according to the baptismal records my ancestors and the godparents were listed as being "Middle class". I wonder why the class was listed in Sacramental records?

I thank anyone in advance that could share any insights.

Hugh Whiting Jr.
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Staripolak64
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Posted: Wed Mar 19, 2014 11:31 pm Post subject:

First of all, a gentle reminder: The class structure in Russia and Poland in the 19th century was not an iron-clad, medieval, feudal institution, but one in constant flux. It was established, defined, and maintained mostly for the purpose of taxation first, social order second. Because the 19th century was bringing very rapid social changes throughout Europe and Russia, social positions were rapidly changing. Tsar Alexander freed the Russian serfs, who had been considered only property, and barely human at that, in 1861. Because Napolean had established his Napoleanic Code when he invaded Poland, social statuses changed. When the Russians marched all the way to Paris, the social structures changed again.

A 'peasant' could have been rich or poor, a farmer, craftsperson, a factory worker, miner, even a land owner.

A 'middle class' (the Russian word just means "someone from a place") could have been rich or poor, a farmer, craftsperson, a factory worker, miner, even a land owner. Their taxes were just a bit higher than those of "peasants."

It was just a way for bureaucrats to classify people!

ossnhughie
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Posted: Thu Mar 20, 2014 5:54 am Post subject: Thank you

Thank you very much that makes a lot of sense that it was used for purposes of taxation rather than classifying people by modern standards of the word. I guess there is no real way to with certainty to be able to tell how economically well off our ancestors were, other than nobility records if they had noble roots.

Thanks again, you are a true treasure,

Hugh Whiting
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Litwo! Ojczyzno moja! ty jesteś jak zdrowie;
Ile cię trzeba cenić, ten tylko się dowie, Kto cię stracił.

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