001: Benjaminov. Benyaminov Georgy Pavlovich (1898-1942). Prisoner's personal file
The crux of the matter
Georgy Pavlovich Benyaminov was born in 1898 in the village of Kholovo, Amosovsky village council, Krestetsky district, Leningrad region, to a poor family of farmers. He completed seven years of secondary education and completed specialized accounting courses at the Apatit Combine in Kirovsk. He was non-partisan and had no criminal record. He was married and had two sons.
Family members:
Benyaminova Anna Aleksandrovna - mother, born in 1871;
Benyaminova Pelageya Vasilievna - wife, born in 1892;
Benyaminov Boris Georgievich - son, born in 1923;
Benyaminov Pavel Georgievich - son, born in 1927;
Lucas Maria Pavlovna - sister, born in 1900.
In 1941, the family lived in the city of Kirovsk, Murmansk region, at the address Nagorny Lane, building No. 5, apt. 30. Georgy Pavlovich worked as an accountant at the Bolshevik cinema in Kirovsk.
He was arrested on July 2, 1941, in Kirovsk and charged with crimes under Article 58-10 of the Criminal Code of the RSFSR. He was imprisoned in Prison No. 3 of the NKVD Directorate for the Vologda Region, in Ustyuzhna. In December 1941, he was transferred to Prison No. 3 of the NKVD Directorate for the Novosibirsk Region, in Tomsk. Benyaminov died in the prison hospital, presumably on July 25, 1942.
There's no photograph in his personal file, but there is a verbal description compiled by a prison officer in Ustyuzhna: medium height, thin build, long neck with a prominent Adam's apple, light brown hair with gray streaks, gray eyes, high forehead, wide eyebrows, and a cleft chin. Distinguishing features listed included: "missing big toe on left foot and second toe on right foot."
The prisoner's file was discovered by chance in the damp basement of Pretrial Detention Center No. 1, nearly 80 years after it was established. It is in poor condition, its pages eaten away by fungus and falling apart. Museum staff attempted to dry the documents and make copies.
From the Benjaminov case materials, it was possible to read and make copies of only eight documents, from which this biography was compiled.
Inventory of case documents
- Resolution on the selection of a preventive measure. Murmansk, June 29, 1941.
- Covering letter from the head of Prison No. 3 to the Kirov House of Artistic Education, Kirovsk, Murmansk Region, July 1941.
- Questionnaire of the arrested Beniaminov G.P., city of Ustyuzhna, later than July 2, 1941.
- Certificate for prisoner's personal file. Ustyuzhna, until December 1941.
- Personal search protocol. Tomsk, December 24, 1941.
- Prison doctor's certificate. Tomsk, March 14, 1942.
- Protocol of personal search of prisoner Benyaminov G.P., March 14, 1942.
- Chamber card addressed to G.P. Benyaminov, form No. 6. March 14 - July 14, 1942.
A chronology based on case documents
- 1898 — year of birth of Beniaminov G.P. Place of birth: Leningrad region, Krestetsky district, village of Kholovo (doc. 1);
- June 29, 1941 — the Decree on the selection of a preventive measure was signed. Murmansk (Doc. 1);
- July 2, 1941 - arrested (doc. 3);
- July 1941 — a questionnaire was filled out for a prisoner at Prison No. 3 of the NKVD Directorate for the Vologda Region, in the city of Ustyuzhna (Doc. 3);
- July 1941 - s/k Benyaminov filed an application for the transfer of salary to Benyaminova’s wife Pelageya Vasilievna (doc. 2);
- December 24, 1941 - arrived at Prison No. 3 in Tomsk (doc. 8); a personal search of a prisoner was conducted at Prison No. 3 in Tomsk (doc. 5);
- February 20 – March 14, 1942 – was in a prison hospital with an infectious disease, Tomsk (doc. 6); upon returning to his cell, a search was conducted (doc. 7);
- July 14, 1942 - placed in the prison hospital (doc. 8);
- July 25, 1942 - died (doc. 8).
List of persons in the case:
- Georgy Pavlovich Benyaminov is a defendant in the case, an accused (suspect). He is an accountant at the Bolshevik Cinema.
- Lapshin is a state security sergeant and an operative of the Murmansk Region Directorate of the NKGB. He drafted and signed the decree.
- Kuznetsov, a state security lieutenant and head of the investigative unit of the Murmansk Region Directorate of the National Security Service (NKGB), approved the resolution (marked it "Agree").
- The prosecutor (last name illegible) authorized the arrest (signature in the upper corner).
- [Full name not specified] - Head of Prison No. 3 in Kirovsk;
- [Name not specified] - Senior Clerk, prepared the cover letter.
- Tikhomirov, an accountant at Prison No. 3 in Ustyuzhna, filled out and signed the prisoner’s questionnaire;
- Benyaminova Anna Aleksandrovna - mother, born in 1871;
- Benyaminova Pelageya Vasilievna - wife, born in 1892;
- Benyaminov Boris Georgievich - son, born in 1923;
- Benyaminov Pavel Georgievich - son, born in 1927;
- Lucas Maria Pavlovna - sister, born in 1900;
Names (1)
Benjaminov Georgy Pavlovich, Фигурант дела / документа
An accountant at the Bolshevik movie theater in Kirovsk, Murmansk Oblast. He died in a Tomsk transit prison in 1942.
Born in 1898 in the village of Kholova, Krestetsky District, Novgorod Province (now Krestetsky District, Novgorod Region), to a poor peasant family. He completed seven years of secondary education. He was non-partisan and had no criminal record. He was married and had two sons.
Family members:
- Benyaminova Anna Aleksandrovna - mother, born in 1871;
- Benyaminova Pelageya Vasilievna - wife, born in 1892;
- Benyaminov Boris Georgievich - son, born in 1923;
- Benyaminov Pavel Georgievich - son, born in 1927;
- Lucas Maria Pavlovna - sister, born in 1900.
In 1930, he was deprived of his voting rights, and in 1931, he was exiled to Kirovsk in the Murmansk region. By 1941, he was living in Kirovsk with his family. He completed an accounting course at the Apatit Combine in Kirovsk and worked as an accountant at the Bolshevik Cinema.
Arrested on July 2, 1941, on charges of counter-revolutionary agitation (Article 58-10 of the Criminal Code of the RSFSR). Imprisoned in Prison No. 3 of the NKVD Directorate for the Vologda Region, in the city of Ustyuzhna. In December 1941, he was transferred (arriving on December 24) to Prison No. 3 of the NKVD Directorate of the Novosibirsk Region in Tomsk. Benyaminov died in the prison hospital, presumably on July 25, 1942.
By decision of the Special Council of the NKVD of the USSR on August 15, 1942, after his death, he was sentenced to five years' imprisonment in a labor camp. He was rehabilitated by the Murmansk Regional Court on June 22, 1956. He was rehabilitated for the 1931 repression by the Murmansk Regional Department of Internal Affairs on May 26, 2003.
The prisoner's personal file does not contain a photograph, but there is a verbal description compiled by a prison officer in Ustyuzhna: medium height, thin build, long neck with a prominent Adam's apple, light brown hair with gray streaks, gray eyes, high forehead, wide eyebrows, and a cleft chin. Distinguishing features listed included: "missing big toe on left foot and second toe on right foot."
Sources: Personal file of the prisoner (Tomsk); Book of Memory of the Novgorod Region, Department of Internal Affairs of the Murmansk Region — Archival file F.51 op.2S/P d.284, Book of Memory of the Murmansk Region.
Documents (8)
001. Resolution on the selection of a preventive measure. Murmansk, June 29, 1941.
Procedural document of the state security agencies (UNKGB) on the detention of Benyaminov G.P. in connection with suspicion of committing a crime under Article 58-10 of the Criminal Code of the RSFSR (anti-Soviet agitation and propaganda).
Full transcript:
[Upper right corner, fragment of text above the form]: I authorize the arrest of: [illegible] (prosecutor's signature) "[illegible]" 19 41
[Resolution]
(on the selection of a preventive measure)
City of Murmansk, June 29 , 1941
I, Operative authorized representative of the Murmansk Region NKGB Directorate, State Security Sergeant LAPSHIN, having reviewed the materials received by the Murmansk Region NKGB Directorate regarding criminal activity:
Last name BENYAMINOV
Name and patronymic: Georgy Pavlovich
Year of birth 1898 Place of birth Leningrad region, Krestetsky district, village. Kholovo.
Profession and specialty: Accountant
Place of work and position: Bolshevik Cinema - accountant.
part. b/p.
Education: Secondary, nationality: Russian, citizenship: USSR
Marital status [empty]
Address: Murmansk, Kirovsk, Nagorny Lane, Building No. 5, Apt. 30.
FOUND that BENYAMINOV, G.P. is suspected of crimes under Article 58-10 of the Criminal Code of the RSFSR and taking into account that BENYAMINOV, G.P., while at liberty, may evade investigation and trial, —
guided by Articles 145 and 128 of the Criminal Procedure Code of the RSFSR.
RESOLVED:
Georgy Pavlovich Benyaminov is to be held in custody as a preventive measure for evading investigation and trial. This order, in accordance with Article 146 of the Criminal Procedure Code of the RSFSR, is to be announced to the arrested person, who will sign this resolution.
In accordance with Article 160 of the Criminal Procedure Code of the RSFSR, a copy of the order shall be sent to the prosecutor and transferred to the Warden of the prison for inclusion in the prison’s personal file.
Investigator
Operative Authorized Directorate of the NKGB MO State Security Sergeant [signature] (LAPSHIN)
“AGREE” Head of the Investigative Department of the Murmansk Region State Security Directorate Lieutenant [signature] (KUZNETSOV)
This resolution was announced on " " 19 [empty]
Reference
Prisoner Benyaminov G.P.
[further text illegible] [signature]
List of persons:
- Georgy Pavlovich Benyaminov is a defendant in the case, an accused (suspect). He is an accountant at the Bolshevik Cinema.
- Lapshin is a state security sergeant and an operative of the Murmansk Region Directorate of the NKGB. He drafted and signed the decree.
- Kuznetsov, a state security lieutenant and head of the investigative unit of the Murmansk Region Directorate of the National Security Service (NKGB), approved the resolution (marked it "Agree").
- The prosecutor (last name illegible) authorized the arrest (signature in the upper corner).
Source information:
Source format: A standard printed form, filled out on a typewriter (partially) and by hand (dates, titles, last names).
Availability of signatures: Autographs of Lapshin, Kuznetsov and the sanctioning prosecutor.
Condition: Fair/Poor. The paper is yellowed, with significant soiling (likely due to mold or moisture) at the top of the first page, partially obscuring the text "Department..." and the prosecutor's signature. On the second page, the bottom section contains blurred ink stains, making handwritten notes difficult to read.
Litters:
Note 1: Upper right corner of the first page: “I authorize arrest” (typographic text with the prosecutor’s handwritten signature and date).
Note 2: Bottom of second page, handwritten text in blue ink (extremely poor condition): “Help /
Prisoner Benyaminov G.P. / [further text illegible] [signature]” (handwritten resolution or note about the announcement).
002. Covering letter from the head of Prison No. 3 to the Kirov House of Artistic Education, Kirovsk(?), Murmansk Region, July 1941
Official notification of the submission of an application from prisoner Grigory Aleksandrovich Benyaminov with a request to transfer his salary to his wife, Pelageya Vasilievna Benyaminova, who resides in the city of Kirovsk.
Full transcript
To the Kirov House of Artistic Education and the House of Pioneers of the city of Kirovsk, Murmansk region.
?? July 41
Attached is the application of prisoner Grigory Aleksandrovich Benyaminov with a request to transfer his salary to his wife Pelageya Vasilievna Benyaminova, city of Kirovsk, Nagorny Lane, building 3, apt. 30.
Warden of Prison No. 3
Senior clerk.
List of persons :
- Benyaminov Grigory Aleksandrovich - prisoner, defendant in the case, author of the petition for the transfer of wages.
- Benyaminova Pelageya Vasilievna - wife of a prisoner, recipient of funds.
- Warden of Prison No. 3 - (no signature, position indicated), the person on whose behalf the document was drawn up.
- Senior clerk - (no signature, position indicated), executor of the document.
Source information:
Source format: Manuscript on a sheet of lined paper (probably a page from a notebook).
Presence of signatures and their form: There are no autographs (signatures) of officials on this fragment (only positions are indicated).
Condition and legibility: Fair condition. The paper has creases, traces of moisture, and dirt. The text is legible, with the exception of the date.
Presence of litter:
Top left in the margin: “[illegible]” (vertical handwritten note, presumably a surname or resolution);
Left middle: “July 41 / No. 289” (handwritten note, probably an incoming number or a register number).
Presence of stamps and seals: None.
003. Questionnaire of the arrested Beniaminov G.P., city of Ustyuzhna, later than July 2, 1941.
A four-page questionnaire containing biographical information, family composition, social background, and a verbal description of the arrested Georgy Pavlovich Benyaminov. The document was prepared by officers of the NKVD Directorate for the Murmansk Region.
Full transcript:
1. Last name: Benjamin
2. Name and patronymic: Georgy Pavlovich
3. Year and place of birth: Born in 1898, Kholovo village, Amosovsky rural council, Krestetsky district, Leningrad region.
4. Permanent place of residence before arrest: Kirovsk city, Murmansk region, Nagorny lane, building no. 5, apt. 30
5. Profession and specialty: [empty]
6. Last place of work before arrest:
a) Establishment enterprise: Cinema "Bolshevik" in the city of Kirovsk
b) position of Accountant
c) no rank
d) if he does not work - when and from where he was fired due to arrest
7. Nationality: Russian
8. Citizenship:
a) civil (substitute) USSR
b) passport... [empty]
written down from the words
9. Party affiliation: a) not a member in the past b) currently [blank]
10. General and specialized education: lower secondary – 7 grades ; specialized courses for accountants at the Apatit Plant in Kirovsk.
11. Social origin: from peasant farm laborers
12. Criminal record: no convictions
13. Drives: not subjected to
14. FAMILY COMPOSITION
Father: No, he died.
Mother: Benyaminova Anna Aleksandrovna , born in 1871 , place of birth: village Kholov(?) Krestetsky. district of Leningrad region ; place of residence: Kresttsy city, Leningrad region, Krylova street, 16, daughter
Wife: Benyaminova Pelageya Vasilievna, born in 1892 , place of birth: not sure, from Kalininsk region , place of residence: Kirovsk city, Murmansk region, Nagorny lane, house 5, apt. 30, did not work
Children:
Benyaminov Boris Georgievich , born in 1923
Benyaminov Pavel Georgievich, born in 1927
Place of birth (children): Kresttsy, Leningrad Region . Place of residence: with mother in Kirovsk. Studied
Sister: Lukas Maria Pavlovna , born in 1900 , place of birth: village Kholovo Krestetsky. Leningrad region, place of residence: Kresttsy city Leningrad region, Krylova street, house No. 16 Teacher
Right hand index finger print: [Imprint present]
Personal signature of the arrested person: Benyaminov
15. VERBAL PORTRAIT
Height: average (165-170 cm).
Figure: average, thin
Shoulders: dropped.
Neck: long, protruding Adam's apple
Hair color: light brown, with graying hair.
Eye color: gray.
Face: triangular
Forehead: high, straight.
Eyebrows: arched, wide.
Nose: large, thin, base of nose: raised.
Mouth: small.
Lips: thin.
Chin: sloping, with a dimple.
Ears: large, triangular, earlobe: fused.
15. Distinguishing features: missing big toe on left foot and second toe on right foot . Tattoos: none. .
When arrested: July 2, 1941
Reason for arrest: decree of June 29, 1941 of the NKGB Directorate for the Murmansk Region.
Enlisted under: NKVD Directorate for Murmansk Oblast.
The questionnaire was completed: In Ustyuzhinskaya prison No. 3 of the NKVD Directorate for the Vologda Region (Vologda Oblast)
The city of Ustyuzhna, Vologda region.
By whom is Accountant Tikhomirov?
Signature Tikhomirov
List of persons:
- Benyaminov Georgy Pavlovich - arrested, defendant in the case.
- Benyaminova Anna Aleksandrovna - mother.
- Benyaminova Pelageya Vasilievna - wife.
- Benyaminov Boris Georgievich - son.
- Benyaminov Pavel Georgievich - son.
- Lucas Maria Pavlovna - sister.
- Tikhomirov, an accountant at Prison No. 3, filled out and signed the questionnaire regarding the place of detention.
Source information:
Source format: A standard printed form, filled out by hand in ink and pencil.
Presence of signatures and their form: Autograph of the arrested person (Benjaminov); autograph of the employee (Tikhomirov).
Condition: Satisfactory, there is significant contamination (probably fingerprints or moisture), yellowing of the paper, tears along the edges.
Availability of notes: Underlinings in the “Verbal Portrait” section are made in accordance with the instructions for the form.
Presence of stamps and seals: There is a fingerprint (fingerprint registration) on page 3.
004. Certificate for prisoner's personal file. Ustyuzhna, until December 1941.
A certificate for a prisoner's personal file, completed at Prison No. 3 in Ustyuzhna, prior to his transfer to Tomsk Prison. Contains personal information, birth details, place of residence, citizenship, charge, and a thumbprint. Ustyuzhna, before December 1941.
List of persons:
- Benyaminov Georgy Pavlovich - prisoner
- (last name illegible) - prison employee, signed the certificate.
Source information:
Source format: Manuscript on an irregularly shaped scrap of paper.
Availability of signatures: Signature – employee’s autograph (illegible).
Condition: Poor. Paper is darkened, dirty, edges are torn.
Presence of litters: No litters.
Presence of stamps and seals: None.
005. Personal search report. Tomsk, December 24, 1941
Full transcript
Personal search report
Prison No. 3, Tomsk, Novosibirsk Oblast
December 24(?) 1941
[inaudible] prisoner Benjaminov
[indecipherable] Pavlovich
[the table below is not filled in]
Source information:
Handwritten text on letterhead. In poor condition. The ink is smudged and illegible in places.
There are no signatures, no seals.
List of persons:
Benyaminov Grigory Aleksandrovich is a defendant in the case.
006. Prison doctor's certificate. Tomsk, March 14, 1942
Brief medical report on the health condition of prisoner Benyaminov G.P.
Full transcript:
Reference
Z/K. Benjamin about[unclear]
at d. pz (?) where he was for 3 weeks
Infectious sick[unclear]
14/III 42 Doctor [signature illegible].
List of persons:
- Benyaminov Georgy Pavlovich - prisoner
- Doctor (last name illegible) - a prison medical worker, signed the certificate.
Source information:
Source format: Manuscript on an irregularly shaped scrap of paper.
Availability of signatures: Signature – autograph of the doctor (illegible).
Condition: Poor. Paper is darkened, dirty, edges are torn.
Presence of litters: No litters.
Presence of stamps and seals: None.
007. Protocol of the personal search of prisoner Benjaminov G.P., March 14, 1942
An official form recording the results of a personal search, certifying that the prisoner is not in possession of prohibited items.
Full transcript:
March 14, 1942
During a personal search of prisoner Georgy Pavlovich Benyaminov
Nothing was found during the search.
The search was carried out by Markunas ( [inaudible] )
Signature of prisoner Benjamin
List of persons:
- Georgy Pavlovich Benyaminov, a prisoner who was searched, signed his name.
- Markunas, the officer who conducted the search, signed the document.
Source information:
Source format: Printed form, hand-filled in blue ink.
Signatures are autographs.
Condition: Fair. The paper has stains, traces of moisture, and creases along the left edge.
008. Chamber card addressed to G.P. Benyaminov, form No. 6. March 14 - July 14, 1942
An accounting document (cell card) of a prison institution, containing the basic personal data of the prisoner, information about the article of the charge (58-10 of the Criminal Code), date of arrival, physical characteristics, confiscated items and movements between cells.
Full transcript:
Form No. 6
Chamber card No. ________
Last name Benjamin
Name and patronymic: Georgy Pavlovich
Year of birth: 1898
Place of birth: Kholovo, Krestetsky District, Leningrad Region
When arrived on December 24, 41.
Nationality: Russian
Citizenship of the USSR
Under which article of the Criminal Code is 58-10
Deadline [empty]
Distinguishing features: above average height
Light brown hair
The eyes are blue
The second toe on the left big toe is missing (as in the text)
What are you wearing:
[unraveled]jacket(?), sweatshirt, cap
[inaudible] coulsons
[inaudible] 1941 signature
Movement table (right):
Arrival Date | Cell Numbers
14/III-42 | 14
6/IV -42 | 8
14/VII-42 | hospital
Signed by film director Benyaminov [unclear] 1941
The personal search was carried out by: Warden _________________
The Duty Officer [signature illegible] received [illegible] into cell No. [illegible]
List of persons:
- Georgy Pavlovich Benyaminov, a prisoner and defendant in the case, signed the card.
- The duty officer (signature illegible) is the prison employee who accepted the prisoner into the cell.
Source information:
Source format: Printed form (Form No. 6), filled out by hand in ink.
Presence of signatures and their form: Autograph of the prisoner (Benjaminov); autograph of the duty officer (illegible).
Condition and legibility: Poor. The left edge of the document is severely damaged (torn off), and the text is blurred or stained in places. There are traces of moisture and creases.
Presence of litter:
In the upper left corner in green pencil/ink: “u(?) 26(or 25)/VII 42”.
