Bessarabia is a region between the rivers Prut and Dniester. It was a part of Moldavia before 1812, with several districts under direct Ottoman rule. After the defeat of the Turks by  Russia, between 1812–1918 it became part of Russia. It was next a part of Rumania between 1918–40; After 1940 it was returned to Russia. The larger (central) part is in Moldova; the extreme northern and southern sections in the Ukraine.

A link to information on Duma Lists from Bessarabia by Michael Steinore