Mehmed Ali Efendi

The life of Mehmed Ali Efendi began in Antalya in 1862/63 (AH 1279); the father's occupation was "Antalya Sancağı eski eytâm müdürü". Mehmed Ali began work in Antalya in 1876/77, at about 14, on a first salary of 95 kuruş. The first annual entry, for 1876/77, places Mehmed Ali in Antalya, the birthplace, as Tahrirat Kalemi mukayyit refiki, where the entries run to 1883/84. Alongside, the lists for 1878 to 1888 give a second post, in a post with no place named as Geçici tütün tahrir kâtibi. The annual lists then follow Mehmed Ali back to Antalya from 1888 to 1902, then Elmalı in 1904/05. The lists have no entry for 1902 to 1904. Mehmed Ali then moved back to Antalya from 1908 to 1911. Alongside, the lists for 1911 give a second post, in a post with no place named as Tahrirat Kalemi sermüsevvidi.

The salary went from 95 kuruş a month in 1876/77 to 600 in 1911, the peak, when 46 per cent of paid officials earned less. In all, 21 years of salary come to 81,480 kuruş, 75 per cent of what an official on the median salary earned in those years. The last annual entry is for 1911.