After the revolution in 1917, Russian aristocracy found itself on the brink of disaster; they had a choice between being annihilated or leaving their homeland fast, and naturally chose the second course. It is estimated that nearly half a milion White Russians passed through Istanbul, Turkey, between the years 1918 - 1921, most of whom went on to France, the United States or Canada. Some, however, remained in Turkey. A very small portion of the orginal immigrants away have left their children be ...