[American in Israel]

They were not lost in Siberia, they were fleeing Christian persecution by the Marxist's. Something we are feeling quite well at home these days.

[Borax Queen]

BTTT

[livius]

Not really. They were Old Believers, who have felt persecuted for centuries (and actually have been persecuted at various points), but who have developed a sort of separatist cult of their own. While they were undoubtedly under attack by the Marxists, these attacks go way back, and so does their attitude. There used to be several of these isolated communities in Canada and even one in Dakota, IIRC.

They’re sort of like the Orthodox version of Mennonites - but more so.

This is highly unusual, though, for one family to have gone off like that. Usually they went and settled in groups, for marriage purposes, if nothing else.