Metric books as a source for studying the history of everyday life of the Orthodox population of the city at the beginning of the 20th century: analysis of the information potential (using the example of metric books of the Cyril and Methodius Brotherly Church in Ostroh, 1907-1914)

The purpose of the work is to comprehensively analyse the information potential of metric books as a key source for reconstructing the history of the everyday life of the Orthodox population of the city of Ostroh at the beginning of the 20th century. This covers demographic, social, economic, cultural, and medical aspects. This is despite their inherent limitations. The research methodology is grounded in the principles of historical analysis, source criticism, and a combination of quantitative and qualitative approaches. This enables both the statistical analysis of demographic trends and the reconstruction of individual and family narratives, revealing the relationship between macro-historical events and the micro-level of everyday existence. Scientific novelty consists in systematizing and in-depth coverage of the multifaceted potential of metric books, which allows us to go beyond traditional narratives and create a «bottom-up» history focused on the experiences of ordinary people. The study highlights how metrical books contribute to a more empathetic and accurate understanding of human experience in history, revealing the complex details of life, hardship, resilience, social structures, and cultural practices of past generations. Conclusions confirm that metric books are an exceptionally rich and indispensable source for studying the history of everyday life, providing a unique window into the realities of the past and contributing to an inclusive and democratic understanding of history