Abstract: This article presents the results of personification of the evolution of photography in Tobolsk during the late XIX – min XX century, demonstrated on the example of biographies of I. K. Ussakovsky and his spouse M. M. Ussakovskaya – owner of one of the most popular photographic studio in the city. The research methodology leans on the historical-genetic, descriptive-narrative, retrospective and historiographical methods; historical-anthropological and micro-historical approaches, with application of the biographical tools and method of historical reconstruction. On the basis of the newly revealed archival documents and published data alongside the analysis of products and teaser advertising of the studio of M. Ussakovskaya, the author comprehensively reconstructs the family history and professional activity of the spouses Ussakovsky in accordance with the political situation in the country. For 37 years, the studio of M. Ussakovskaya has been one of the leading public-cultural establishments of Tobols in the area of photography services. It was attended mostly by the privileged part of the population. After the change of political regime, the studio quickly enough readjusted to the transformed structure of everyday life of the city. The lead in the mastery of photography in the marital tandem belonged to I. K. Ussakovsky. He was responsible for execution of practical and organizational tasks in the studio, while M. M. Ussakovskaya acted as a competent representative of family business, handled the administrative work and made deals with the authorities.

Abstract: The goal of this article is the synoptic characteristic of the photographed visual sources applied in the process of reconstruction of everyday life of the residents of Russian periphery, as well as models of everyday routine of the diverse social, professional and age groups of urban population of the late XIX – early XX century. For detailed and gradual examination of this topic, the range of sources was limited by photo collections of Tobolsk and Tyumen. This article is first to describe and introduce into the scientific discourse of the set of photos of several local collections preserved in the state museums, as well as private and family archives. Methodological foundation contains the principles of historical anthropology and visual history, combined with the micro-historical approach towards exploring the local photo collections of various types. Micro-historical approach is specified by studying the local collections, with application of systemic and structural-functional analysis, comprehensive and descriptive approaches, historical-typological method, as well as paramount in working with photo collections method of museum classification and attribution. The scientific novelty is defined by the use of photo documents as the backbone and independent sources in studying the history of everyday life of Western Siberian cities during the period of rapid growth of photographic industry in Russia, which fell on the turn of the XIX – XX centuries.