Abstract
In the Semirechensk region in the second half of the 19th - first half of the 20th centuries, employees of postal and telegraph institutions served local institutions and residents, and a well-known hierarchical system was formed. In postal and telegraph institutions, Kazakhs mainly occupied positions in the lowest category. It is known that Kazakh officials very rarely worked in communications institutions, and in most cases worked as translators and secretaries. Also, maintenance of postalroads, road repairs and tax collection were carried out at the expense of the Kazakhs. At the end of the 19th - beginning of the 20th centuries, Kazakh officials began towork in postal institutions - one of the areas unfamiliar to them. They worked at the post office and telegraph office as officials of the IV category and rose to the rank of titular councilor. However, such achievements were very rare in Kazakhstan, and the vast majority of Kazakh officials were engaged only in translation work in various government bodies. This article examines the hierarchy and main activities of employees of postal and telegraph institutions that have developed on the territory of the Russian Empire as a whole. In addition, the experience of Kazakhs in postaland telegraph institutions is shown using the example of the Semirechensk region.