Kiev Administration for Simple Crafts

Collection

Scope and content:: A significant portion of the fond consists of documents (applications for the certification of craft skills; notices on test results; documents from vital records; and craft certificates) pertaining to the registration of craftsmen from other cities (the majority of them Jewish merchants and townspeople) as Kiev master craftsmen and apprentices: potters, painters, tailors, cobblers, weavers, silver-goods makers, cabinetmakers, musicians, barbers, etc. Among other files are those of the cabinetmaker Moshe Mabovitch (father of the future Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir), and the painter M.-G. Sh. Rabinovich, father of artist Isaak Rabinovich.

Administrative/biographical history:: This was established in 1802 (as the Kiev Craft Guilds’ Administration) to administer Kiev craft guilds. Originally it was under the jurisdiction of the Kiev Municipality, and later that of the Kiev Municipal Duma. In 1886 it was reorganised as the Kiev Administration for Simple Crafts. Its functions included, in particular, considering the applications of master craftsmen and apprentices from other cities for the right to engage in their craft in the city of Kiev, and testing the craft knowledge of these persons. It was liquidated in 1900.

Access points: persons/families:: Mabovitch , Moshe; Meir, Golda; Rabinovich, Isaak; Rabinovich, M.-G. Sh.

Subject terms:: Art; Art--Artists; Professions; Professions--Crafts; Trade and commerce; Vital records

System of arrangement:: The fond includes twelve inventories; files are systematised according to the alphabetical-chronological principle.