Topic: Archives
The work on a comprehensive index (or database) of the incoming letters to the Livonian Governor General during the GNW continues. After finishing LVVA, fond 7349, op. 1 vol. 275 (in the Bienemann catalogue XX-6) I have moved on to volumes 291 and 292. They present a new set of problems. In Bienemann's catalogue there is under no XX-18 "Schreiben verschiedener Offiziere und anderer Personen betr. den Krieg in Livland. 4 vol. 822 St." (Letters concerning the war in Livonia from various officers and other persons. 4 volumes. 822 items). So what has happened to these four volumes? Well, vol. 291 is still labeled XX-18:1. Vol. 292 seems to have lost the original box, but chronologically is takes over where vol. 291 ends. So is it 18:2? Well, things would appear to be more complicated than that as apart from these two Riga volumes there is also one in Tartu - EAA.278.1.XX-18. It looks like the original box is lost here as well and oddly enough this "third volume" covers the entire period 1700-1709. The fourth volume does not seem to exist anymore, but it seems entirely possible that this is a result of changes in how the three remaining are organized and not necessarily a result of losses.
As for the content in volume 291: It covers the period late December 1700 to December 1702. It's heavy on reports from Marienburg (Alūksne), probably about 45 letters out of 165. To some of them are attached spy reports from someone occasionally called "the famous Jurrenski", who seems to have gone to Polish Livonia quite often in order to pick up information from Russia. The volume also contain a few items of relevance to the Swedish attempts on Russian border posts during the winter of 1700-1701, such as letters from Jacob Spens who commanded the expedition to Pechory. Some other famous names are also represented - Carl Gustaf Rehnskiöld, Johan August Meyerfeldt and the clergyman Adrain Vergin. The volumes in addition contains copies of a few letters from Major General Horn in Narva, written to the secretary Johan Haal in Dorpat.
