“My greatgrand father was Peter Shesterkin he married Mary Dodokin They came to the United States during the Russian Revalution they gave birth to two children in Russia. First my grandfather Gregory Peter Shesterkin born on January 10, 1904 and his brother Alexander Peter Shesterkin born on July 10, 1907. I was told they came to the United States during the Russian Revalution? Maybe to Michigan or Kansas area? They had two more children here in the states. Paul Peter Shesterkin who later changed his last name to Chester I was told for business reasons. Last,but not least Mary Shesterkin. I have the names of Ivan and Alova? they where either Peter Shesterkins or Mary Dodokins parents? That is all I have found out and know about my family. On my last message I posted I was told Shesterkin is a very common last name. I was not aware of that. I'm hoping that there is the slightest bit of information for someone to help. Any and all inquieries would be most welcome. Mary”

REPLY from me Dec.6, 2008
“I found your messages from 2001 and 2005 and guess that you haven't gotten any further. I am sorry to say that I have no further information about the family in Russia. I have heard that due to the revolution (+ the language!) it is very difficult to do geneaological research in Russia.  

What I did find when searching for Shesterkin was a couple of things that I am uncertain to if you already know (?):

I found that Peter Shesterkin arrived to the US before his wife and his sons. 
This is Peter's  Ellis Island notice:
First Name: Peter
Last Name: Schestorkin
Ethnicity: Russia, Russian
Last Place of Residence: Grasnyki, Russia
Date of Arrival: Mar 29, 1907
Age at Arrival:  23y    Gender:  M    Marital Status:  M  
Ship of Travel: Noordam
Port of Departure: Rotterdam, Holland
Manifest Line Number: 0003
Destination: “St. Mary’s, Kansas”

This is Mary's  Ellis Island notice (and she had the two sons with her):
First Name: Mary
Last Name: Schestiorkina
Ethnicity: Russia, Russian
Last Place of Residence: Saratow, Russia
Date of Arrival: Nov 02, 1908
Age at Arrival:  25y    Gender:  F    Marital Status:  M  
Ship of Travel: California
Port of Departure: Glasgow
Destination: Joining husband Peter in St. Mary's Kansas

When I tried to find them in the 1910 census I discovered that the two boys were living as "inmates" in the St Vincent Orphan home!
And strangely enough there is no way I can find either Peter or Mary, their parents, in the 1910 census! 
Their next son, Paul, is said to be born in Michigan (according to the 1920 census) so they might be in Canada???

In 1920 the whole family (parents + four children) live together in Detroit Ward 5, Wayne, Michigan. (Alexander is misspelled as "Alice" but is said to be a son!). I also found that Mary died 1940, was buried at the Mount Olivet Cemetery, and was a widow at the time

So - have you been able to get any further with your Shesterkin research??
According to the ship's manifest, Peter was born in "Grasniesky" or "Grasnyki" but I have not been able to find this place. It may be a small village in the "oblast" (county??) of Saratov.”

New post Feb 7, 2011 by Phillis

For anyone still watching this site. I have been helping a friend with his ancestry. (One of which is Shesterkin)
This is what I have found.
Peter Schestiorkina born about 1885 in Saratov, Russia.
wife Mary Dadokin, daughter of Iwan Dadokin, mother unknown,
born abt 1884 in Saratov, Russia.
Mary and sons Gregory Peter Shesterkin (american spelling),
and Alexander Peter Shesterkin, arrived on Nov 4, 1908 on
the ship "California" from Glasgow, Scotland. I am assuming
their father came over earlier but i dont know when.
Son Paul Shesterkin born about 1913 in Kansas.
Daughter Mary Ann Shesterkin born june 30, 1919 in Detroit, Wayne Co., Michigan.
You can find them in the 1920 census for Detroit.
Alex and their mother Mary are the only deaths I can find, both in the New Garden Cemetery, in Delta Co., Michigan.
Alex died in 1973 and Mary in 1940. Their daughter Mary is still alive as of this date. You can find the grave listings in "Find-a-grave". and the Ship Manifest listing under "Schestiorkina". Thats all I can tell anyone. So hope this helps if you havent alread found this in the
intervening years.
Phillis