The purpose of the manuscript is to explore the histories of Krylov and Gilnin families from a settlement of Turgoyak in the Urals (Chelyabinsk region). Through the example of several generations an influence on the peasants and mining artisans of the turning events of Russian history in the 20th century are shown: the 1917 Revolution, the Civil War, the Prodrazversdka policies, the repressions of 1930s, the Second World War, the rebuilding of the USSR following the war. A contradictory character of the historic influence is shown on the example of one family and their close relatives: some were executed while trying to oppose the Prodrazversdka policies and during the repressions of the 30s, the others obtained university degrees and moved to larger cities where they contributed quite heavily to the science and production. The importance of this theme is determined by that the history of mankind is made of such family histories, so through the personal study one can come to an objective understanding of the Russian history.