When  did electricity  come into use in private homes in russia? When
did teh automobile come into use? What did people use for private
transport before that?
what sorts of posesssions were emigres allowed to take out with them?
was anythign specifically banned? Why? Were they in danger of being
searched?

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Clarification of Question by gaucho34-ga on 18 Oct 2004 03:36 PDT

I am thinking of St.Petersburgh, 1916. the second half of the question
refers, of course to post -1917, specifically 1920.

Which region within Russia do you have in mind? 
Cities or rural areas?
Pre-1917 Russia?

With regard to your question of electrification this book should have the answer:

The Electrification of Russia, 1880-1926 (Cornell University Press, 1992)
by Jonathan C. Coopersmith

http://www.tamu.edu/history/faculty/coopersmith/cv.pdf

http://www.tamu.edu/history/faculty/coopersmith.htm

The first electrostation, used for private home, was building in 1888 
in Moscow (120V, DC). Next electrostation for private use also was
building in Moscow in 1897 (127V, 50Hz)
http://nauka.relis.ru/06/9709/06709098.htm (in Russian)
First auto in Russia was imported in 1895, Saint-Petersburg.
Before (and up to 1930) peoples used horses with cart (summer) or sledge (winter)
At first time this was very expensive. But after 1917 (Revolution in
Russia) electricity and auto can used only government and their near
neighborhud. For common peoples electricity have acceblity in
1925-1930, auto in 1930-1960 (no joke).
Emigres can't take out those cars. They have been expropriated Russian
government after 1917 - if you don't give up your car, you give up
your live (for economical sabotage, aka contr-revolution).
Maybe it's peoples that taked out their cars, but they is exeption to the rule.