In the news1848
Cholera and Crop Failures in 1848
In 1848, a major cholera epidemic, coupled with a bad harvest and dry weather that caused widespread town fires, severely disrupted the lives of the agrarian population.
Moscow, 28 May 1847 – Saint Petersburg, 1 Mar 1893
9 facts1 source
28 May 1847
Born in Moscow
1 Mar 1893
Dies in Saint Petersburg, aged 45
He lived through 6 decades. Pick one to hear and see what it was like around Moscow.
General history, not a record about the family: each item says where it comes from.
In the news1848
In 1848, a major cholera epidemic, coupled with a bad harvest and dry weather that caused widespread town fires, severely disrupted the lives of the agrarian population.
Getting around
Travel times to Siberia varied wildly
In 1827, traveling by road from Moscow to Irkutsk took 23 days, which was considered extremely fast for that time. In mud-prone seasons, however, the same journey could take up to nine months.
In Europe1845–1852
Potato blight ruined harvests: a million Irish people died and a million more emigrated, many to America.
Daily life
Lighting and window materials in peasant homes
Peasant huts were typically illuminated by a torch inserted into the crack of the stove or by simple wicks dipped in oil. Glass was expensive and often replaced by bull bladders in peasant homes, while wealthier villagers began using mica.
What people wore
Everyday men's clothing and footwear
Ordinary men typically wore a skewed-collar shirt (kosovorotka) belted over trousers, with bast shoes (lapti) being standard everyday footwear.
Music
Improvisational pliaska dances and percussion
Fast-paced pliaska dances were characterized by individual improvisations, sometimes accompanied by improvised percussion like wooden spoons or metal pots when standard instruments were unavailable.
At the table
Everyday Drinks of the Peasantry
Kvass, a drink made from rye flour and malt, was the most common everyday beverage for ordinary people. While tea culture was starting to spread, it remained a luxury for many rural families, who often only drank it during illness or on special occasions.