Tilde computer encyclopaedia Tilde – the history of Latvia”. © Tilde, 1998-2012:
In the 40’s of the 19th century the Russian government spread the rumour that the Baltic peasants who would come into orthodoxy would get land and would be freed from the military service and taxes. Those who would not become orthodox would then again become serfs (1844-1845). Approximately 74 thousands of the inhabitants of Latvia and Estonia changed their confessions (2/3 of the Estonians and 1/3 of the Latvians).