Zenob Balyan Efendi

Zenob Balyan Efendi was born in Istanbul in 1862/63 (AH 1279). The record gives the community as Armenian Christian (Ermeni) and the father's occupation as Esnaf.

Schooling recorded: Mekteb-i Mahsusa (special school), with 4 years of schooling recorded. The record marks no qualification (diploma, certificate, training or decoration). Languages recorded, with the skill words of the record: French, with Kitabet; Turkish, with Kitabet.

First work is recorded in Istanbul in 1878 (AH 1295). The official was then about 16 years old. The record gives 4 years of unpaid apprenticeship (mülazemet) before the first salary. The first-salary field gives 150 kuruş a month. At the first annual entry, in 1881/82, the official was about 19 years old.

The first annual entry, for 1881/82, shows Muhabere Memuru in Beyoğlu, with 150 kuruş a month. In 1889/90 the record shows Muhabere Memuru in Kadıköy, with 300 kuruş a month (before: Muhabere Memuru in Beyoğlu). In 1890/91 the record shows Muhabere Memuru in Beyoğlu, with 300 kuruş a month (before: Muhabere Memuru in Kadıköy). In 1894/95 the record shows Muhaberat-ı Ecnebiye Memuriyeti in Kadıköy, with 325 kuruş a month (before: Muhabere Memuru in Beyoğlu).

The highest salary, 400 kuruş a month, is first recorded in 1900/01 as Muhaberat-ı Ecnebiye Memuriyeti. 31 per cent of the other officials with a recorded salary that year earned less. The median salary of all officials that year was 500 kuruş. Over 20 years with a salary the median is 300 kuruş a month, with 4 rises and no cuts. The largest rise, 100 kuruş, is seen in 1885/86. From the first salary to the last the salary grew by 5.3 per cent a year on average.