Pre-revolutionary and Soviet researchers determined the Rusin population of Bessarabia at the beginning of the 20th C. to be about 250 000 (that is more than 1/8 of the population of the province). However, the Rusins not only inhabited the northern part of Bessarabia. Mixed and predominately Rusin areas were also found in the central and southern areas. Rusins also lived in the cities of Bessarabia and less compactly in Moldavian villages. Being bilingual in non-Rusin environments eventually led to the loss of Rusin identity. Evidence of the assimilation process is shown in the names of populated areas in contemporary Moldavia and in the surnames of Rusin ancestry. Material in the National Archives of the Republic of Moldova including data from audits indicate the existence of Rusins in various parts of Bessarabia. Thus it can be assumed that the number of Rusins in the period under study was significantly higher than stated.