Sourny

Research Status: Basic Last Updated: 2025-01-24 Diary Coverage: Up to July 1881

Sourny appears to be a location (likely a town or estate) near Karkoff where Marie and her family stay for several days in July 1881, conducting business negotiations with her uncle Alexandre.

Key Diary References:

• July 17, 1881: "Les vieux sont toute la journée en courses pour l'affaire" - The family stays at Sourny handling legal/business matters
• July 18, 1881: "Encore une journée à Sourny. Alexandre traite avec Dina de la vente de sa part" - Alexandre negotiates with Dina about selling her share of property
• July 19, 1881: "Eh bien nous y sommes toujours à Sourny" - Still at Sourny, Marie sketches in an album

Context:

• Location between Karkoff and Kiev on the family's journey west
• Site of business negotiations over property sales
• Alexandre attempts to buy Dina's share of inherited property for 30,000 roubles, but Marie holds firm at 35,000
• Family stays here for at least 3 days (July 17-19)

Research Notes:

• Exact location needs confirmation
• May be a small town or estate in the region
• Connected to the Bashkirtseff family property disputes
• Part of Alexandre's systematic acquisition of family lands