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A. Nükhet ADIYEKE, Nuri ADIYEKE 355

RECENT DISCOVERIES IN TURKISH ARCHIVES Registers of Midilli

M idilli (Lesbos) is the largest of East Sporat and East Aegean islands, both being quite close to the Saruhan coasts. The island came under the Ottoman rule in 1462. Initially, Midilli was a affiliated to Rumeli Later on, following the creation of Cezayir-i Bahr-i Sefid pro- vince, it was affiliated to the latter. Since then until the end of the Otto- man rule, Midilli functioned as the provincial center of the sanjak. Apart from the central kaza, the sanjak of Midilli consisted of two kazas. Molova in the north survived under the same name throughout the period between the XVIth and the XXth century. Concerning the second kaza of Midilli called Kalonya we have records dating back to the XVIth and XVIIth centuries∞; it lost its capacity to remain a kaza in the XIXth century. It was demoted to the nahiye of Molova. The second kaza of the province at that time was the territory which has been called either Pil- mar, Milimar or Plomaric. These kazas were assigned different kadis. The of Midilli included the nahiye of Yera, Ayasu and Man- damanda∞; the kaza of Pilmar had the nahiyes of Polihnit and Molova, and the kaza of Molova had the nahiyes of Sigri and Kalonya. The nahiye of Yunda was affiliated to the kaza of Midilli for a while.1

A. Nükhet ADIYEKE est professeur, Nuri ADIYEKE, professeur associé. Université de Mersin, Faculté des sciences sociales, Ciftlikköy Kampusu, 33 342 Mersin, Turquie. E-mail∞: [email protected]

1 Administrative structure of Midilli during the , Ali FUAD, Adalarımız, (Türkiye’den ve Anadolu’dan Ayrılamaz), Kastamonu, 1338, p. 50-60∞; Türk Hakimiyetinde Ege Adaları’nın Yönetimi (Edit∞: Cevdet Küçük), SAEMK. Publication, Ankara, 2002∞; Ege Adaları’nın Egemenlik Devri Tarihçesi (Edit∞: Cevdet Küçük), SAEMK. Publication, Ankara, 2001, p. 24 and thereafter∞; Ege Adaları’nın Idari, Mali ve Sosyal Yapısı, (Edit∞: Idris Bostan), SAEMK. Publication, Ankara, 2003, p. 9 and thereafter.

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356 A. NÜKHET ADIYEKE, NURI ADIYEKE

The proportions of different nationalities in the overall population of the island vary according to the period. Muslims represented from 1/3 to 1/5 of the population at different periods.2 Most of the Greeks living in the island spoke Turkish and all the Turkish people spoke Greek as well.3 Thanks to its geographical location, the kaza of Midilli was the commercial centre of the province∞; olive, olive oil and related olive industries were of great significance for the economic wealth of the island. After Midilli Island fell under the control of the Ottoman Empire in 1462, island kadis were appointed together with other officers,4 and these island kadis were allocated timars during the XVIth century.5 The kadi of Midilli resided in Kastro, the main city.6 As usual and as com- monly observed in the Ottoman territories in the middle of the XVIIIth century, both Muslims and Christians issued complaints concerning the kadis. It was very often claimed that kadis were generally not to be found in their offices, that trials were not properly handled, that the kadi himself and sometime his substitutes happened to take money by force from people, that they imposed cruelty, and that all these wrong doings went on more and more. In response to these complaints, kadis were ordered several times by the central authority to reside in their offices and to perform their duties assiduously.7 A regulation concerning the position of the Midilli kadi was intro- duced at the end of the summer 1776. As there was only one clerk at the Midilli kadi courts, and as a single clerk could not catch up with all the work load, appointment of a second clerk for the kadi courts was con- templated, and the Midilli kadi asked for the second clerk to be appointed. The request was approved by the central authority and Ibrahim Halife was appointed as a second clerk to the Midilli kadi court.8 We do not know what kind of regulations were issued, and what were the judicial consequences. However, as far as we can deduce from the dates of the records, the position of the kadis was preserved on the island and on the other islands until 1924.

2 For the data of census in XVIth and XVIIth centuries, Ege Adaları’nın Idari, Mali ve Sosyal Yapısı, p. 142 and thereafter. For the data of census based on salnames of XIXth century∞: ≤engül AYOGUZ, “∞Cezayir-i Bahr-i Sefit Vilayeti (XIX. Yüzyılın Son Çeyre- ginde)∞”, M.A.Thesis, Izmir, 1989, p. 67-68. 3 Ali FUAD, ibid, p. 58. 4 Ege Adaları’nın Idari, Mali ve Sosyal Yapısı, p. 9. 5 Ege Adaları’nın Egemenlik Devri Tarihçesi, p. 42. 6 Ali FUAD, ibid., p. 50∞; Joseph de TOURNEFORT, Tournefort Seyahatnamesi, (Edit by∞: Stefanos Yerasimos, translated by Ali Berktay), Kitap Yayınevi, Istanbul, 2005, p. 251. 7 Ege Adaları’nın Egemenlik Devri Tarihçesi, transliteration, p. 175-176, update in Turkish, p. 325-326. 8 CRM., (Vakıflar Genel Müdürlügü, Istanbul Bölge Müdürlügü Ar≥ivi, Midilli ≤eriye Sicileri- General Directorate of Foundations, Archive of Istanbul Regional Directorate- Court Records of Midilli), no73, p. 29. 9700-06_Turcica38_15_Adiyeke 5/7/07 10:14 Page 357

KADI REGISTERS OF MIDILLI 357

Captured by the Greek fleet at the end of 1912,9 Midilli Island was given to Greece, according to the London and Athens Agreements signed in 1913 and this was later officially recognized by the Republic of with the treaty of Lausanne.10 Within the framework of the treaty of Lausanne signed in 1923, the exchange protocol requiring that Greek people in Turkey and Muslim Turkish people in Greece exchange their residences was also put into force. In line with the 11th article of this same protocol, an international mixed Commission was set up to regulate and control the migration process. The mixed Commission and its sub-commissions which operated in Greece until the middle of 1925 collected all official records and regis- ters belonging to the Muslim population and its institutions in Greece. After their examination by the Commission, the documents were sealed and sent in chests to Istanbul by the Commission. The registers and records were delivered to the General Directorate of Foundations (Vaki- flar Genel Müdürlügü) in Istanbul upon the approval of the Commission.11 The documents remained sheltered in Nuruosmaniye Mosque for nearly half a century, and were later handed to the Archives of the Regional Directorate of Istanbul of the General directorate of Founda- tions, early in the nineteen eighties. Although we do not know for certain how many documents were col- lected around Greece, there are approximately 6000 registers and many documents in the above mentioned archives. Only 3200 volumes are classified and these classifications are far from being technical.12 Various registers among the so far classified registers belong to Salonique, Kavala, Kesriye, Crete and other islands. They include regis- ters of population, foundations books and Kadi courts records13 as well as five general indexes in which the 6000 registers are recorded together with various other books belonging to the institution of Cemaat-i Islamiye14 (Muslim Society).

9 For the official correspondance on this issue∞: Trablusgarp ve Balkan Harplerinde I≥gal Edilen Ege Adaları ve I≥gal Telgrafları, (Published by∞: Idris Bostan- Ali Kurumah- mut), SAEMK. Publication, Ankara, 2003, p. 184-214. 10 Lozan Barı≥ Konferansı, (Tutanaklar-Belgeler), (Translated by∞: Seha L. Meray), c.8, YKY. Publications, Istanbul, 2001, p. 5-6, article 12. 11 ADıYEKE A. Nükhet, ADıYEKE Nuri, “∞Newly Discovered in Turkish Archives∞: Kadi Registers and Other Documents on Crete∞”, Turcica, Revue d’études turques, tome 32, 2000, p. 453. 12 For the information on bringing this archive to Turkey and its story in Turkey∞: A. Nükhet ADıYEKE, “∞Mübadeleye Dair Gizli Kalmı≥ Bir Ar≥iv∞”, Toplumsal Tarih, issue 76, Nisan, 2000, p. 17-20. 13 The records belonging to Crete were introduced previously. ADıYEKE A. Nükhet, ADıYEKE Nuri, “∞Newly Discovered in Turkish Archives∞: Kadi Registers and Other Doc- uments on Crete∞”, op. cit., p. 447-463. 14 For information on such institutions, A. Nükhet ADıYEKE, Islamic Community Brotherhood Administration in Greece∞: Cemaat-ı Islamiye 1913-1998, SAEMK. Publi- cation, Ankara, 2004. 9700-06_Turcica38_15_Adiyeke 5/7/07 10:14 Page 358

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The list of registers referring to Midilli Island is on page no132 and 133 of the number 41 of the index registers of the archives that were pre- pared during the exchange procedure. These two pages in the index vol- ume include 58 registers, entitled “∞Property books taken to the district of Ayvalık by the Muslim Society of Midilli during the exchange and migration progress∞” (Midilli Cemaat-ı Islamiye Heyeti tarafından esna- yı mübadele ve hicretde Ayvalık kasabasına getirilmiÒ olan emlak defterleri). Three of the above mentioned registers are the registers of foundations (vakf), while the remaining 55 registers are the records of kadi courts. The registers date back to H.1101 (C.1689-1690) and 1341 (C. 1922-1923). We understand from the same index register that the processed pages of the volumes vary between 18 and 431. While it is known that 55 volumes of kadi courts were received from Midilli between 1924 and 1925, there are presently 26 volumes of kadi courts in the registers of the Regional Directorate of Istanbul of the Gen- eral Directorate of Foundations. The remaining volumes may be among the 2800 non classified books, however they might also have been lost during transportation. 16 among the 26 volumes may be matched with the index prepared during the exchange period. When going through the existing catalogues, we can see that there are registers entitled “∞Mehmed Arif Efendi sicili∞”, “∞Naip Ibrahim Efendi sicili∞” exactly as indicated in the index book. Although the name Cezayir-i Bahr-i Sefid is not used in the index volume that was prepared during the exchange process, it is highly interesting to note that the register no 976 is recorded in the new catalogue under the said name (Cezayir-i Bahr-i Sefid Record “∞Midilli∞”). It can be understood that certain dates of some volumes were not properly recorded during the cataloguing process. After reviewing some of these volumes, we find out that dates vary for a few years between the catalogue records and books records∞; yet in some cases the difference expands over ten years.15 Problems related to these volumes are not only limited to differences in dates. For example, the register no 73 is recorded in the catalogue under the year 1223-1297 (C.1817-1818/1897- 1880). However upon closer inspection of the said book we came upon a technical problem. It appears that two different volumes of similar size are mistakenly bound together as if they belonged to the same volume. The first part of the volume from page 1 to 118 covers the records of the years 1197-98 (C.1782-1284). The second part from page 119 to the end of the register covers the records of the year 1228-1231 (C.1813-1816). In our study of the volumes we noticed similar problems to those men- tioned above, yet despite the errors noted, we indicated the beginning and ending dates of the books in the list of 26 registers enclosed, as is stated in the catalogue of the mentioned archives.

15 For instance∞: CRM, no. 51 starts with records of the year 1149 and not with 1151. 9700-06_Turcica38_15_Adiyeke 5/7/07 10:14 Page 359

KADI REGISTERS OF MIDILLI 359

The registers of Midilli kadi courts bear the general features of legal records in terms of form and content. First of all we find appointment decrees concerning kadis and other officers, records of taxes, decrees about sailors and construction of ships, orders relating to security. As Midilli was an important deportation centre, deportation and amnesty records are often to be found in the registers as well. There are also books of foundation and foundation records among the kadi records. The great number of monetary foundation records among XVIIIth century records is interesting. Records regarding the financial control of these monetary foundations, as the latter is regularly conducted every year are quite numerous. This is also a direct outcome of the fact that approxi- mately half of the foundations on Midilli island at the beginning of the XIXth century were monetary foundations.16 Among the legal records of Midilli are records of sales contracts, of various lawsuits, pecuniary and inheritance lawsuits. There are also in this book records of commercial transactions, apart from records of gov- ernment regulated prices. One can also see records of various commer- cial transactions in addition to the transactions of shipments on board. One can see records of the commercial transactions relating to olive, olive oil and olive products trade which provide a great deal of informa- tion about olive trade. In these registers we also have cases regarding daily life in Midilli. We could examine four records of conversion of 1247 and 48 (C. 1832 January and August).17 As for marriage records, marriages were not cel- ebrated under great scrutiny and are not recorded in Midilli as opposed to what takes place in Crete. Only one record of marriage could be found among the XVIIIth century books.18 From time to time extraordinary events of daily life can be seen among the records. For example, on the 28th of December 1832, a new born baby was found in the garden of Camii ≤erif and the baby was later adopted by Cemal Kalfa from Izmir, and this event was recorded on the first page.19 In conclusion, out of the 55 volumes of Midilli brought to Turkey between 1924 and 1925, only 26 remain. These volumes are of a great importance in terms of understanding the socio-economic and adminis- trative structure of Midilli Island and determining the relationship between the Island and the Empire. Additionally, as they are the richest of our rare sources of information, the registers are also crucial in terms of providing datas about the Aegean islands in general.

16 Ege Adaları’nın Idari, Mali ve Sosyal Yapısı, p. 116-117. 17 CRM., No∞:50, p. 38. 18 CRM., No∞:47, p. 112. 19 CRM., No∞:50, p. 1. 9700-06_Turcica38_15_Adiyeke 5/7/07 10:14 Page 360

360 A. NÜKHET ADIYEKE, NURI ADIYEKE

List of Kadi Court Records of Midilli

Row Catalogue Date Subject no 1 89 1108-1114Midilli ≤eriye Sicili 2 61 1147-1149 Midilli ≤eriye Sicili 3 71 1151-1154Midilli ≤eriye Sicili 451 1151-1166 Midilli ≤eriye Sicili 5 46 1168-1192 Midilli ≤eriye Sicili 6 45 1187-1189 Midilli ≤eriye Sicili 7 47 1210-1211 Mehmed Arif Efendi Senedatı Sicili 8 31141218-1228 Midilli ≤eriye Sicili 9 67 1223-1228 Midilli ≤eriye Sicili 10 73 1231-1297 Midilli ≤eriye Sicili 11 741233-1236 Midilli ≤eriye Sicili 12 50 1236-1250 Midilli ≤eriye Sicili 13 3065 1249-1252 M. Seyid Mehmed Ismet Efendi Sicili 143020 1256-1257 Mehmed Arif Efendi Sicili 15 3072 1272-1277 Naip Mehmed Rıza Efendi Sicili 16 3056 1277-1278 Midilli ≤eriye Sicili 17 3057 1283-1285 Sinanzade Emin Efendi Sicili 18 3019 1287-1289 Midilli ≤eriye Sicili 19 3018 1287-1289 Midilli ≤eriye Sicili 20 3029 1290-1293 Naip Ibrahim Ethem Efendi Sicili 21 2281 1296-1297 Midilli ≤eriye Sicili 22 198 1324-1325 Midilli ≤eriye Sicili 23 976 1326-1327 Cezayir-i Bahri Sefid ≤eriye Sicili (Midilli) 243150 1329-1340Dava Takrir ve Imza Defteri 25 3158 1329-1341 Dava Takrir ve Imza Defteri 26 3058 not dated Naib Mehmed Saadeddin Efendi Sicili 9700-06_Turcica38_15_Adiyeke 5/7/07 10:14 Page 361

KADI REGISTERS OF MIDILLI 361

APPENDIX

N°41 INDEX BOOK 9700-06_Turcica38_15_Adiyeke 5/7/07 10:14 Page 362

362 A. NÜKHET ADIYEKE, NURI ADIYEKE

A. Nükhet ADIYEKE, Nuri ADIYEKE, Recent Discoveries in Turkish Archives∞: Kadi Registers of Midilli

Midilli Island remained under the Ottoman rule from 1492 to 1913. The san- jak of Midilli had two kazas apart from the central kaza. They were called Molova and Kalonya. An Ottoman Kadi entrusted whith legal and administra- tive authority, was appointed in each kaza. Midilli as an island had a significant trade potential for the period. Some of the kadi registers and other documents related to this island came to Istanbul with the exchange of population in 1924. Among the records that came from Midilli, kadi registers amount to a total of 55 volumes. Among these only 26 classified volumes concerning eighteenth and nineteenth centuries were kept in the archives of the General Director of the Foundations, Istanbul District. The newly found kadi registers listed in appendix constitute important sources hitherto unknown, for the social and economic his- tory of Midilli and are also relevant to Mediterranean commerce in general. They are also the first available registers concerning the Aegean Islands.

A. Nükhet ADIYEKE, Nuri ADIYEKE, Découvertes récentes dans les archives turques∞: les registres de cadis de Mytilène

L’île de Mytilène est restée sous l’autorité ottomane de 1492 à 1913. Le san- cak de Mytilène avait deux kazas en dehors du kaza central, ceux de Molova et Kalonya. Un cadi ottoman, qui exerçait l’autorité légale et administrative, fut nommé dans chaque kaza. Mytilène, en tant qu’île, avait un potentiel de com- merce important pour cette période. Certains registres de cadi et autres docu- ments relatifs à cette île arrivèrent à Istanbul lors de l’échange de population de 1924. Il y avait 55 volumes de registres de cadi au total parmi les registres en provenance de Mytilène. Parmi ces registres, seuls les 26 volumes classés, datés des XVIIIe et XIXe siècles, furent gardés dans les Archives du directeur général des Fondations, du district d’Istanbul. Les registres des cadis récemment trou- vés, listés en appendice, constituent d’importantes sources, jusque là inconnues, pour l’histoire économique et sociale de Mytilène et sont aussi pertinentes en ce qui concerne le commerce méditerranéen en général. Ce sont aussi les premiers registres disponibles pour les îles égéennes.