Mehmet Hamdi Efendi

Mehmet Hamdi Efendi was born in Ürgüp in 1837/38 (AH 1253); the father's occupation was "Hazinedar". Work began in Ürgüp in 1849/50, at about 13. Of the 5,664 officials whose age at first work is known, fewer than 5 per cent started at 13 or younger. The first annual entry, for 1849/50, places Mehmet Hamdi in Ürgüp, the birthplace, as Tahrirat kalemi mülazımı, where the entries run to 1855/56. The lists have no entry for 1856 to 1883. Alongside, the lists for 1855/56 give a second post, in Niš as Emtia gümrüğü görevi. The last entries, from 1883 to 1889, name Mehmet Hamdi as Tahrirat katibi, with no place. Entries spanning 41 years are rare, reached by fewer than 5 per cent of the 8,239 officials.

The salary went from 260 kuruş a month in 1855/56 to 280 in 1883/84, the peak, when 27 per cent of paid officials earned less. In all, seven years of salary come to 23,280 kuruş, 69 per cent of what an official on the median salary earned in those years. The last annual entry is for 1888/89.