Register of Cossacks of 1638

The Cossack Register of 1638 is a key document that provides information on the number, composition, and organization of the Cossacks in the mid-17th century. This document contains the names, ranks, sometimes property and family ties of the Cossacks, which makes it possible to reproduce the social structure and hierarchy of the army. The register reflects the historical processes that took place in the Cossack environment, indicating their military, administrative and social organization. It also provides a unique opportunity to understand how the Cossacks fit into the broader context of Ukrainian and European history at that time. The study of this register is important for understanding the history of Ukraine, in particular the development of the Cossacks and their role in society.

In the database of the Cossack register of 1638, there are only records of the Cossack foreman. This is due to the fact that the main part of the register, which included records of all Cossacks, was not preserved due to the stormy events of the middle of the 17th century and the loss of relevance of the document for Warsaw government officials. The only reliable source that preserved information about the foreman was the diary of the monk of the Dominican order Shimon Okolsky. It is these records that allow modern researchers and all those interested to familiarize themselves with the personalities of the Cossack elders of that time, despite the loss of a significant part of the register.

Historical context of the register

The Cossack register of 1638 was compiled after the suppression of the Cossack uprising and was aimed at controlling the Cossack army and its numbers. In February 1638, an audit was conducted in Trakhtemyrov, which established that at that time there were 5,800 Cossacks in the register. This number was reduced from the previous register of 7,000, reflecting casualties from the fighting. As a result of the audit, it was decided to reduce the register to 6,000 Cossacks and to make changes to its structure and management.

Data that may be available in the database:

• Last name, First name, Nickname
• Regiment
• Position