Naming Bottleneck Russian Empire 1820-1850

[Adam Cherson adam.cherson@gmail.com]

X-No-archive: yes
Dear Researchers,

I have encountered an enigma wrapped in a riddle shrouded in a mystery.

There is enough evidence available to make a deduction feasible.

The matter involves that name of my 2XG-Grandfather and the anomalies
created by the combination of the naming laws and attempts to evade the
conscription laws in the Russian Empire during the first half of the
19th Century.

Since this is a matter that affects many genealogists studying this
period of history, I would like to share the evidence and ask for
interpretations.

In a nutshell, my ancestor is registered in the 1858 Revision List in
the middle of the Solts family under the surname Portnoi. The question
is whether he is a member of the Solts family attempting to conceal his
identity.

I have copied and pasted several relevant records from the Jewish
Genealogy Database showing the facts:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/sd8vkfrybr8jo8j/Solts_Portnoi.pdf?dl=0

Following the records are some research notes providing some extra
background and speculations.

Please consider posting your responses here for the benefit of others.

Appreciatively,

Adam Cherson
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