The books were annually published by local authorities in 89 gubernias and regions of Russian Empire starting from the mid-1830s till 1917.
The books had some peculiarities in some gubernias and not always comprised 4 main sections: The Russian National Library is carrying out a research project devoted to Pamyatnaya knizhka.
The project is supervised by Mrs. Nadezhda Balatskaya Надежда Михайловна Балацкая in the department Bibliografia and krayevedeniye of the Russian National Library.
The project comprises official memorial books Pamyatnay knizhkas of all gubernias and regions of Russia, including areas that are no longer within the Russian Federation.
The main result of the project will be the publication of 15 volume bibliographic index book titled "Памятные книжки губерний и областей Российской империи: Указатель содержания".