Ottoman Identity Document (Tezkire-i Osmaniye) – Gülsüm, Granddaughter of Yirmibeşzade Osman Efendi (Bartın, 1905)
Description:
An original Ottoman identity document (Tezkire-i Osmaniye) issued in 1905 (1320 Rumi / 22 Kanun-ı Sani) for Gülsüm, the granddaughter (hafide) of Yirmibeşzade Osman Efendi. These identity papers were the official personal identification certificates of the Ottoman Empire, containing essential biographical information such as the holder’s name, parents’ names, birthplace, religion, and address.
The document lists Gülsüm’s father as Hasan Efendi and mother as Zehra Hanım. Her place and year of birth are recorded as Bartın, 1318 (1902–1903 CE). Her religion (millet) is specified as Islam. The residential address is written as Kastamonu Vilayeti, Bartın Kazası, Hacı Bekir Mahallesi, 169/8 numbered house.
This tezkire bears official Ottoman stamps and seals, confirming its authenticity as a registered state-issued identity document. It remains a valuable and well-preserved historical artifact, representing both the administrative organization and daily life of the late Ottoman Empire.
During the Ottoman period, such identity documents were known colloquially as “kafa kağıdı” (head paper). Men often folded these papers into small squares and kept them inside a pocket in their fez, meaning their identity document was literally kept “on their head.” During inspections, officials would demand, “Kafa kağıdını çıkar!” (“Take out your head paper!”). Those unable to produce it were taken directly to the police station. This cultural detail illustrates the tezkire’s significance as both a symbol of personal identity and an integral part of Ottoman social order.
This particular example is notable for being issued to a female citizen, providing a rare glimpse into women’s registration and identification practices in the early 20th-century Ottoman Empire.
Key Features:
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Document Type: Tezkire-i Osmaniye (Ottoman Identity Certificate)
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Holder: Gülsüm (granddaughter of Yirmibeşzade Osman Efendi)
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Father’s Name: Hasan Efendi
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Mother’s Name: Zehra Hanım
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Birthplace and Year: Bartın, 1318 (1902–1903 CE)
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Religion (Millet): Islam
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Residence: Kastamonu Vilayeti, Bartın Kazası, Hacı Bekir Mahallesi, 169/8 numbered house
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Date of Issue: 22 Kanun-ı Sani 1320 (4 February 1905)
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Material: Ottoman official paper, handwritten, includes fiscal stamps and seals
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Condition: Preserved with visible stamps and official seals; minimal wear consistent with age
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Historical Context:
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Represents the late Ottoman civil registration system.
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Commonly referred to as “kafa kağıdı”, carried in the fez.
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Rare example of a female-issued Ottoman identity card from Bartın, providing insight into local administration under the Kastamonu province.
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Reflects both bureaucratic modernization and the continuity of traditional Ottoman family and social structures at the turn of the 20th century.
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