The Orthodox Population of Vyborg Province in the First Half of the 19th Century: Statistical and Demographic Aspects

Abstract

This article examines the Orthodox population of the Vyborg Governorate in the first half of the 19th century. Using a wide range of sources, the article examines population size and trends over a 50-year period. The influence of military garrisons on the demography of the 250Vyborg Governorate is examined. A parish register analysis is conducted to determine fertility and mortality trends. The article’s topic straddles two relevant fields in historical science: historical demography and regional history. This work provides a broader understanding of the governorate’s development in the early 19th century and can serve as a basis for further statistical and demographic research. Contemporary Russia is experiencing a surge of interest in historical demography, an interdisciplinary field of research at the intersection of history, demography, sociology, cultural studies, and a number of other fields. This scientific discipline provides a wealth of information about people’s lives, their well-being, their reactions to political change, and even their mentality. In recent years, researchers have shifted their attention from the national level to the regional aspect. Russia is a vast country, and the demography of many regions differs from one another. This allows for a deeper understanding of the peculiarities of Russia’s historical development. An examination of statistical data and demographic indicators allows us to draw conclusions about the general socio-economic and cultural trajectory of individual communities in regions and even countries.