Semenovskii Polk Records, 1720-1967

Summary Information

At a Glance

Description

Summary

The bulk of the collection concerns the last three decades of the Regiment's existence and the emigration. Cataloged items consist of 3 photographs of Tsar Nicholas II and a receipt signed by one Captain Lanta, dated 1720. The correspondence is almost all after 1917. The manuscripts include a history of the Regiment from its formation and some other historical pieces by Viktor I. Meshchaninov. Most of the other manuscripts -- chiefly officers' memoirs -- concern the period of WWI, the Revolution, and the Civil War. Of other materials relating to the Imperial epoch, mention may be made of the lists of members of the Regiment since its formation compiled by some regimental historian; biographical sketches of many officers; field orders, topographical maps, certificates awarding medals, etc. The Association of former officers generated much material: accounts, minutes, souvenirs of commemorative dinners, etc. A rich store of photographs forms part of the collection. These include both individual and group portraits of members of the Regiment and of the Imperial family. Especially fine photos of the last 2 tsars, their families, and various urban landscapes are found in the album "Photographies du comte Nostitz.".

Using the Collection

Rare Book and Manuscript Library

Restrictions on Access

Box 28 closed.

This collection is located on-site.

About the Finding Aid / Processing Information

Columbia University Libraries, Rare Book and Manuscript Library

Processing Information

Papers Accessioned 1963.

Papers Accessioned 1967.

Subject Headings

The subject headings listed below are found in this collection. Links below allow searches at Columbia University through the Archival Collections Portal and through CLIO, the catalog for Columbia University Libraries, as well as ArchiveGRID, a catalog that allows users to search the holdings of multiple research libraries and archives.

All links open new windows.

Genre/Form

Subject

History / Biographical Note

Biographical sketch

The materials relate to the history of the Semenovskiĭ Regiment of the Imperial Russian Guards (founded in 1683), and to the activities of the emigrʹe Semenovskiĭ Regiment Association (Obʺedinenie Semenovskago Polka) an organization of former officers of the Regiment. The materials were collected by the officers themselves.