Bichura Village (Transbaikalia): Foundation and Population Growth (18th–Late 20th Century)

Bichura Village (Transbaikalia): Foundation and Population Growth (18th–Late 20th Century)

F.F. Bolonev and E.D. Fedotova.

Based on archival and fi eld data, the early history of the largest eastern Siberian village, Bichura, is reconstructed. Initial colonization, the life of the pioneers, and their relations with the native, local population are described. The growth of the village population is traced over nearly two and a half centuries.

Keywords: Siberia, Old Believers, population growth, agriculture, colonization, migrations.