Palata Rodoslovnykh Del

(Chamber of Genealogy), an institution of the central Russian government in the late 17th century. Part of the Razriadnyi Prikaz (War Office), it was created in 1682 when mestnichestvo was abolished (see MESTNιCHESTVO). The Palata Rodoslovnykh Del collected the documents necessary for the compilation of the rodoslovnye knigi (genealogical registers of Russian noble families). All members of the sluzhilye liudi (military service class) were obliged to submit to this institution their genealogies and documents confirming their family affiliation. The Palata Rodoslovnykh Del added new generations to the Gosudarev Rodoslovets of 1555–56, which was the tsar’s official genealogical directory, and compiled the Barkhatnaia Kniga (Velvet Book).

In the 18th century the functions of the Palata Rodoslovnykh Del were transferred to a special office under the Senate called first the Heraldry and later the Department of Heraldry. Most of the materials submitted to the Palata Rodoslovnykh Del were destroyed in Moscow in 1812.