Reading With the Romanovs

• “In the Steps of the Romanovs” – Helen Azar

… or “In the Steps of the Romanovs” – Helen Azar

Tsar Nicholas II and the whole Romanov family kept meticulous diaries and letters.  Some were destroyed, including by the Romanov daughters themselves, but quite a lot of material survived and has been translated and published, notably by Helen Azar.  They make a fascinating read.

Some of my primary reading list on this topic has been:

·              The Diary of Olga Romanov – Helen Azar

·              Maria Romanov … Diaries and Letters 1908 – 1918 – Helen Azar

·              A Lifelong Passion – Nicholas and Alexandra - Their Own Story – Andrei Maylunas & Sergei Mironenko

·              The Romanov Royal Martyrs: What Silence Could Not Conceal - Saint John the Forerunner Monastery, Cyprus

·              In the Steps of the Romanovs – Final Two Years of the Russian Imperial Family [an assorted chronology of diary entries and letters] – Helen Azar

Most of this article is derived from the latter.

By way of background, Nicholas and Alexandra had four daughters and [finally] a son and heir, Alexei.  The daughters were Olga, Tatiana, Maria and Anastasia.  They collectively referred to themselves as “OTMA”, or in their diaries “We 4” – or “5” when Alexei was included.

Of course much is mundane small talk – went here, went there, had breakfast or tea with so and so, had lessons in Russian, German, French, English, History, Music or Religion (referred to as “God’s Law”), played piano and sang, played board and table games, went to church or a prayer service (almost daily) or went to the infirmary to care for wounded soldiers (almost daily – it was WWI after all).

Frailty of Alexandra

One thing that stands out is that ‘Mama’ (Alexandra) was very frail – headaches, heart problems, probably some form of rheumatoid arthritis in her legs, often reclining “on the sofa” in pain if not in a wheelchair, while still stoically trying to care for her daughters and very sick son Alexei (a haemophilic) – the future heir.

Reading

The other thing that stood out is that they did a lot of reading – alone and to each other.  Nicholas is often reading aloud to his family, or just alone.

Because this theme grabbed my attention, I am going to focus here mainly on those entries that involved Reading. Thus I invite the reader to approach this article from three perspectives:

1.            Just skim, taking in all the [bold] highlighted passages - mostly to do with actual reading and a few personal anecdotes. [I wish there were more ways to highlight sections using colours and/or underlining.]

2.            Follow the historical narrative of the dramatic events - I left enough material in to allow this story to unfold.

3.            Contemplate more deeply the nature and personalities of the Romanovs through their own words – innocent, pious, caring and pure, and above all passionately patriotic and concerned for the Russian people and their Motherland.

By way of introduction, see the ‘blessOTMA’ channel for some pictorial montages with musical background.

·              The Romanovs. Young OTMAA 2 - blessOTMA

and since most of the entries on this Reading journey will be by Nicholas … 

·              The Romanovs. Golden Papa - blessOTMA

[From Lifelong Passion:]

Nicky to Empress Marie (his mother, widow of Alexander III)

21 November 1898 - Livadia

[Alexandra (Alix) is now pregnant with Maria (third child) and is not feeling well.]

In the evenings she [Alix] lies in bed and I read to her.  We have already finished War and Peace and have just started Schilder’s history of Emperor Alexander I, which Nikolai is so carried away with. 

Twice a week couriers bring me a mountain of papers, and on those days I am in a bad mood! 

[From In the Steps of the Romanovs:]

Olga diary 1913

Tuesday. 3 June. Peterhof.

Got up late due to Bekker. Had breakfast with Papa, Mama and Bagration. At 2 ơ'cl. 10 min. went to Znamenie, and then to the [train] station. At 3 ½ arrived in Peterhof. Chilly, rather windy. Had tea with Papa and Mama, had dinner with them and Aunt Olga. Went to bed late. Papa read to us. Mama is well, thank God. We are lodging in 2 rooms upstairs.

[“Bekker” is the term the Romanov ladies used as a euphemism for their periods]

1916

Maria to Nicholas

 3 March 1916

In the evening Anya finished reading “Our People Abroad” to us.  Olga went to bed early of course.  And you are probably enjoying the English book.  Grandmama sent the book “Olive” and Mama sent her another one.

Maria diary

 20 March 1916

Went to our infirmaries with A [Anastasia]., 17 soldiers arrived from the train.  Rode around with A. and Shura.  Had dinner with Papilloma, Mama, Silaev and Anya.  Papa read. 

Tatiana to Nicholas

 28 March 1916

Did you finish reading the book and was it interesting later on?  Is Dimitri reading the book?  If you see our Hundred and the Crimeans, send them our regards. 

Tatiana to Nicholas

 5 April 2016

On 3 April we had tea with Dmitri, as always he talked a lot of nonsense, told us how you rode and how you liked the book “Through the Poster Gate”.  Isn’t it nice that the Cossacks, the soldiers and apparently Batushka’s entire wonderful family will partake with us.

Tatiana diary

 Wednesday 4 May 1916

Breakfast, lunch and tea all together.  In the afternoon sat at Mama’s and finished reading an English book.  Then worked, read, wrote.  After lunch, Olga played the piano, Nastasya [Anastasia] the balalaika, and we sung. 

Monday, 23 May

Surgery on a soldier, excised the leg bone.  Handed the instruments.  Bandaged Natarov.

After tea [had a] lesson.  […] After dinner we all went to the infirmary.  There we cleaned instruments and sewed compresses until 11:45.

Maria to Nicholas

29 May 1916

 I am all bitten up by some nasty beast, and therefore my entire body itches.  It is extremely unpleasant, especially in public when one has to scratch.

Nicholas to Tatiana

28 May 1916

Dearest Tatiana.  Congratulations on your birthday

Anastasia to Nicholas

24 June 1916. 

Tsarskoe Selo.  My dear Papa darling.  Maria and I just rolled around in the grass in front of the balcony.  It was terribly pleasant and now I am the colour of raspberries.

Tatiana diary

22 July 1916

And went with A[nastasia] to the new infirmary, there was a play “An Evening at the Mansion of the Noblewoman XVII”.

Alexei diary

19 August 1916

In the evening listened to Sig’s reading and studied with P.V.P.

[Sig = nickname of Sidney Gibbes, English tutor to the Imperial children.]

Alexei diary

21 August 1916

Zhilik read “Anand ee monde s’ettuie” to us.

In the evening Papa read.

Tatiana to Nicholas

15 September 1916

Right now the hair dresser is curling Maria’s hair.  After that will do mine – for the Japanese [Consul].  In town everyone is saying that I am to marry him.  They are forgetting that he has a wife, and that he is a pagan.  Pretty stupid. 

Olga diary

Saturday, 3 December 1916

In the evening Papa pasted [photos into] an album.  Tatiana read “Gdye apelsini zreyut” [Where the Oranges Blossom].

Saturday, 17 December.  [Rasputin has been murdered]  Father Grigori [Rasputin] is missing since last night.  They are looking for him everywhere – awfully hard. 

Monday, 19 December

As usual, to Znamenie and to the infirmary.  Almost nothing to do.  Went with Kasyanov to the drawing room and behind closed doors, without anyone present I played and he sang various new beautiful things.  Ate with Mama.  Found out that Grigori was killed, likely by Dmitri and thrown from a bridge by Khrestovsky.  They found him in the water.  It’s so terrible, should not even wrote.  Sat and drank tea with Lili and Anya and the entire time felt Father Grigori with us … 

Nicholas diary

21 December.  Wednesday.  

At 9 o’cl. The entire family dove past the photography building and to the Night towards the field, where we were present for a sad scene: the casket with the body of the unforgettable Grigori, murdered on the night of 17th December by the monsters at F. Yusupov's house, was already lowered into the grave. Father Alexander Vasiliev conducted litia, after which we returned home.

The weather was grey with 12° of frost. Took a walk before the reports. Received Shakhovskoy and Ignatiev. In the afternoon I took a walk with the children. At 4 ½ received our Velepolsky, and at 6 o'cl. Grigorovich. Read.

22 December. Thursday.

Sandro was here to see me in the morning. At 12 ½ went to the itinerant church in honor of Anastasia's name day. Mordvinov had breakfast and dinner. Walked with him and the daughters around the park. At 4 o'cl received Protopopov, and after tea - Pokrovsky. Studied in the evening.

Tatiana to Alexandra

Christmas 1916

My own precious Mama darling. I pray that God may help you now through this horribly difficult time + that he may bless and protect you from all bad. - Believe that the soul of our beloved Friend is always with us + is praying for you my sweet angel Mama. Tender kisses fr yr loving own girl. Tatiana   Xmas 1916

Olga diary

 Christmas Day 1916

[…] All the dear ones were there. Looking at them is so comforting. Went for a walk with Papa for a half hour - after that he and Mama received Kalinin. At 6 we 2 with Mama to our infirmary, a Christmas tree was set up in the drawing room. Everyone except Sokolov was gathered there - Mama gave out gifts to all. Left at 7. Mama received Prince Golitzyn. After dinner I played [piano], at Papa's request, religious things [music] and everyone went to Anya's where Father Grigori's entire family was present: Paraskovia [Rasputin’s wife], Mitya, Matryona, and Varya [Rasputin son and daughters].

They are leaving for Pokrovskoe on Tuesday. Went to [see] Alexei and Zhenya. At 11 to bed. Mama doesn't feel too well, but she is so brave. Save her, Lord.

Nicholas diary

27 December

[…] The weather was excellent, sunny and frosty 8 deg […]. 

After tea [we] saw cinematograph - the same theme as in Mogilev.  Alexei's right arm started to hurt from a bruise; poor thing, he suffered a lot at night. Studied for a long time after dinner.

1917 – Abdication and Arrest

Nicholas diary

1st January. Sunday.

[…] After tea studied and responded to telegrams. In the evening read out loud.

2nd January. Monday.

The freeze increased again. Took a short walk. Received Grigorovich, Rittikh and Voinovky-Kriger, the new Controller of the Railway Ministry. Walked around the entire park with the daughters. At 6 o'cl. Protopov came to see me, and then Taneyev. Studied in the evening after saying goodnight to Alexei.

Olga diary

3rd January Tuesday

[…] Alexei's voice is somewhat better. Lishevich had dinner. He spoke nicely with Mama. Her voice is also hoarse. Papa read Chekhov to us, "The Teacher." After that I wrote the words and notes of Father Grigori to Anya’s dictation.  After 11 o’clock to bed.  Alexei is doing fine, [he] took a walk.

Nicholas diary

4th January. Wednesday.

[…] After breakfast spent an hour and a half at Kostritsky's. Took a walk in semi-darkness. At 6 o'cl. Scheglovitov came to see me. Studied. In the evening read aloud.

5th January. Thursday.

In the morning received Prince Golitzyn. At 11 o'cl. Went to obednya with blessings of the waters. After the service Father Alexander sprinkled all our rooms. After breakfast again sat at the dentist and took a walk with Tatiana and Maria. Before tea received general Shilder, director of the Lyceum. Before dinner received Gruko, who arrived from Mogilev for 3 - 4 days. Studied for a short time.

6th January. Epiphany.

Went to obednya, which was conducted by Metr.[opolitan] Pitirim, quickly and magnificently. After breakfast went to Kostritsky for a Iong while. Took a walk with Tatiana and Maria. It was sunny and frosty - 10°. Before tea received A.S. Botkin [brother of Dr Evgeny Brodkin], and at 6 o'cl. Prince Shirinsky. Read a lot and finished everything. Vilkitsky (on duty) had dinner. In the evening read aloud.

11th January

[…] Took a walk with Olga. At 4 o’cl. received Scheglovitov, and at 6 o'cl. Shturmer. Did paperwork.

Dinner: Lili Dehn with her husband, who arrived with The Varyag [a ship] from Murman, Anya and N.P. In the evening read aloud.

Olga diary

12th January Thursday. 

[…] Maria and I walked with Papa. Around 5 deg. frost, nice, quiet.  After tea 6 o'clock cinematograph. "Tayinstvenaya Ruka" [early moving picture “Mysterious Hand”], etc. Mama wasn't there. In the evening Papa, as usual, read after 10 o'clock, Chekhov's "Myslitel", "Doch Albiona", "Na Chuzhbine", "Kuharka Zhenit'sya" and "Drama." After 11 o'clock to bed.

14th January Saturday

[…] In the evening Papa read "Captain's Uniform" and "Living Chronology" to us.

16th January Monday

[…] At 3 o'clock Maria and I walked with Papa. As always, the sun came out. Papa is in a good mood, Mama still tired – [we] did nothing unusual, Vilkitsky had dinner. After 10 ¼ Papa came over and read "The Exclamation Point," "Well, Public," "He Over-salted," "He Poured" and "Chameleon".

22 January Thursday

[…] Sat a little with Alexei who is in bed as his leg and arm ache.  Went to the Grand Palace.  Had tea with Mama upstairs at Alexei’s.  Had lessons.  After lunch we went to [see] ours [her patients]. Sat with the Nizhegorodtzy. Put together a puzzle with Navruzov and Vachnadze, then worked. Returned, sat with Mama.

23 January Monday.

 […] Papa was receiving [illegible] 200 officers who graduated from the higher military academy. Mama gave out the [holy] images. We just stood there. It lasted two hours and of course they were tired. Papa [is] "plastun" [infantry Cossack].   After tea cinematograph at Al.'s. 20 [degrees] of frost.  Sunny. I did the pulverization of Shareiko's throat. Prince Ernestov and Anya had dinner. In the evening Papa read an interesting report from the commander of the battleship "Chezma" and the report from Captain Tr. Schultz of the English Navy. After that, Chekhov's "Anyuta." "In Moscow on Trubnaya Plaza" and "Horse Family Name." Count Sheremetiev.

24th January Tuesday.

Directly to the infirmary. Not much to do - wrote, fixed beds, etc. Talked to Kasyanov. He played 2 new things on the piano and sang along. He is signing up for ambulatory treatment, like Biserov. Carol of Romania had breakfast. [Prince Carol of Romania was once considered as a dynastic match for Olga.]  At 3 [I] went for a walk with Papa. 12-13 [degrees] of frost. Walked around the garden. After tea cinematograph at Alexei's. Tatiana and I had our hair washed and curled.  In the evening did nothing unusual.  Papa wrote in his album.  At 11 o’clock to bed as usual.

28th January, Saturday

[…] After tea at Alexei's, cinematograph, and after that with Papa to vsenoshnaya. Mama (came] later. Count Zamoisky had dinner. After that, Shvybz and I rode in a sleigh […] Papa assembled a puzzle. After 11 o'clock to bed. Yesterday before dinner we rode in the troika with Shura.

1st February, Wednesday

[…] At about 7 o'clock, drove with Papa to vsenoshnaya. Mama later. AleksKonst [sic] from the escort was there. In the evening, pasted in my album with M. Papa read Chekhov's "Tragic," "The Martyred Ones" and "The Eve Before Lent." At 11 clock to bed. Right now, it is 8 degrees of frost and a heavy snow storm.

6th February, Monday

[…] Very cold, bright and Papa [is] in a Plastun cherkesska. Kutaisov had dinner and stayed rather long, putting together a puzzle. Papa read "Avgusteishiye Kadetsvo," "Pro-Dedushku." Very charming. At 11 o'clock to bed.

Nicholas diary

7th February, Tuesday

[…] Took a walk alone.  Uncle Pavel came over with the report.  Read and wrote.  Spent the evening all together.

Olga diary

12th February, Sunday

In bed until 12 o'clock.  Then Polyakov and to the Crimson Room. 37,5 - 37,7 - 37,7 - 37,6. Al., Lyolya and Zhenya had breakfast with me and were here during the day. [They were] cheerful. Mama sat for a long time and Anya. Papa stopped by. In the evening they came again before Gulesov.  Nyuta read to me.

14th February, Tuesday, Mordvinov.

Slept well. Polyakov was here, and (made] a warm compress. (I] was lying down on the sofa all day. Mama sat during the day and Anya. Papa stopped by. After tea, Bibi sat with me, then N.P.—Nyuta read. T° - 37,1 - 37,2 ½ - 37,2 - 37,4 - In the evening Mama, Papa, N.P. and Mordvinov came by.

21 February, Tuesday, Petrovsky

We sat together until 5 ½ o'clock, so nice and cozy. Talked a lot. Shurik is going to Mogilev with Papa tomorrow. T° 36,3 - 37,1 - 36,9 ¾ - Bibi received a lovely, nice letter from Mitya.  Tatiana does not go to the infirmary, we are quarantined this week due to measles, which Lyolya Makarov was ill with. In the evening Mama and Papa came by. Anya too.

Mikhail Rodzyanko to Nicholas

[Telegram. 26 February, 1917]

The situation is (getting] serious. The capital is in a state of anarchy. The government is paralyzed; the transport service has broken down; the food and fuel supplies are in complete disarray. Discontent is widespread and on the increase. There is disorganized shooting in the streets; troops are firing at each other. It is urgent that someone who enjoys the confidence of the country be entrusted with formation of a new government.  There must be no delay.  Hesitation is fatal.

Nicholas diary

27th February. Monday.

Riots began in Petrograd a few days ago; unfortunately, the military started to take part in them. What an awful feeling to be so far away and receive only snippets of bad news! Stayed for the report for a while. During the day took a walk on the highway to Orsha. The weather was sunny.  After dinner decided to leave for Tsarskoe Selo as soon as possible and moved into the train at one in the morning.

Mikhail Rodzyanko to Nicholas

[Telegram. 27 February, 1917]

The situation is growing worse. Measures should be taken. immediately, as tomorrow will be too late. The final hour has struck when the fate of the country and the dynasty is being decided. The government is powerless to stop the disorders. The troops of the garrison cannot be relied upon. The reserve battalions of the Guard regiments are in grips of rebellion, their officers are being killed. Having joined the mobs and the people's revolt, they are marching on the offices of the Ministry of the Interior and the Imperial Duma. Your Majesty, do not delay. Should the agitation reach the Army, Germany will triumph and destruction of Russia along with the dynasty is inevitable.

Nicholas diary

1st March, Wednesday

[…] Gatchina and Luga also turned out to be too preoccupied [with riots]. Shame and disgrace! Was not able to reach Tsarskoe. But thoughts and feelings are constantly over there! How hard it must be for poor Alix to live through all these events alone! May the Lord help us!

Nicholas diary

2nd March. Thursday 1917

Ruzsky came over in the morning and read [the transcript of] his very long telephone conversation with Rodzyanko. According to him, the situation in Petrograd is such that the Duma ministers are helpless to do anything since the soc-dem [social democrat] party, in the form of the worker's committee, is fighting against them. They want my abdication. Ruzsky passed on this conversation to Stavka, and [General] Alexeyev to all the military commanders. At 2 ½ responses arrived from all. The bottom line is that in order to save Russia and keep the army at the front in tranquility, I must decide on this step.  I agreed.  They sent the draft of manifesto from Stavka. At one in in the morning I left Pskov with a heavy feeling about all I had experienced. ALL AROUND IS TREASON AND COWARDICE AND DECEIT!

Nicholas to Michael

(Telegram. 2 March, 1917).

[To] His Imperial Majesty Michael. Petrograd.

 The events of last few days have forced me to irrevocably decide on this extreme action.

Forgive me if I upset you and that did not get the chance to warn you. I will always remain your loyal and faithful brother. Returning to Stavka and from there hope to get to Tsarskoe Selo in a few days. I fiercely pray God to help you and your Motherland.

Nicky.

Nicholas diary

3rd March, Friday.

 Slept long and deeply. Woke up far outside of Dvinsk. The day remained sunny and frosty. Talked with my [people] about yesterday's (events]. Read a lot about Julius Caesar. At 8.20 arrived in Mogilev. All ranks of staff were [standing] on the platform. Received Alexeyev in the train car. At 9 ½ transferred to the house. Alexeyev arrived with the latest news from Rodzyanko. It turned out that Misha abdicated. His manifesto ends with a four-tail election in two months (Universal, direct, equal, and secret suffrage. There was no definite time set for the Constituent Assembly) for the election of a constituent assembly within 6 months after the Constituent Assembly. God only knows who put it into his head to sign such filth! In Petrograd the disturbances have stopped - if it would only remain that way.

6th March. Monday.

In the morning I was very happy to receive two letters from dear Alix and two letters from Maria. The wife of Captain Golovkin of the Finland regiment brought them. Took a walk in the little garden. Mama came for breakfast. We sat together until 3 o'cl. Took a walk; a snowstorm started. again. After tea received Williams. At 8 o'cl. went to Mama’s train.

Michael diary

9 March. Thursday.

Gatchina... Today Nicky arrived from Mogilev. They brought him to Tsarskoe and Alexander Palace, where he is under arrest with his family.

13th March. Monday.

It continues getting warmer, the day was semi-grey. Took a walk in the morning for about half an hour. Kept busy with old business.

Maria continues to have high temp. 40.6, and Anastasia has earache. The rest felt well. Took a walk during the day and worked. In the evening sat at Anya's with Lili Dehn.

14th March. Tuesday.

A grey and warm day. In the morning took a walk with Valya D. for three quarters of an hour. Now - I have a lot of time to read for pleasure, although I spend a lot of time sitting upstairs

15th March. Wednesday.

Lovely sunny frosty day. Took a nice walk with Valya D., and as is now, escorted by one of the guards. Maria and Anastasia's condition is the same as yesterday; slept badly and Maria's fever reached a record [high] during the day it was 40.9. The rest are completely recovered. Walked and worked a lot during the day.  Read before dinner, and sat with the children in evening until 10 o'cl., and the two of us had tea alone.

21st March Monday. 

Kerensky, the current Minister of Justice, showed up unexpectedly today, walked through all the rooms, wanted to see us, spoke with me for about five minutes, introduced the new commandant of the palace and then left. He ordered the arrest of poor Anya and for her to be taken to the city along with Lili Dehn. This happened between 3 and 4 o'cl. while I was taking a walk. The weather was awful and [it] matched our mood! Maria and Anastasia slept almost the entire day. After dinner the four of us, with O. and T., spent a quiet evening.

23rd March. Thursday.

A bright day after 2 o'cl and a warm spell. Took a short walk in the morning. Took inventory of my things and books and started to put aside everything that I want to bring with me if we have to go to England. After breakfast walked with Olga and Tatiana and worked in the garden. Spent the evening as usual.

[Nicholas had been led to believe that they were to be ‘exiled’ to England]

24th March. Friday.

A nice quiet day. Took a walk in the morning. During the day Maria and Anastasia were transferred to the playroom. Successfully worked with Valya D.; now almost all the paths are cleared [of snow]. At 6 ½ went to vsenoshnaya with O. and T. In the evening read Chekhov aloud.

27th March Monday.

Started govet [fasingt[ and attend divine services but it did not bring any joy. After obednya Kerensky arrived and asked us to limit our contact with the children during meals and to sit separately; supposedly this is necessary in order to calm down the infamous deputies of the Soviet of Workers and Soldiers! We had to submit in order to avoid any violence. Took a walk with Tatiana. Olga got ill again with a sore throat. The rest feel well. At 9.45 went down to my rooms, Tatiana sat with me until 10 ½ o'cl. Then I read, had some tea, took a bath and went to bed on my cot!

2nd April 1917 Holy Easter Sunday

[…] Exchanged triple kisses with all the servants, and Alix gave them porcelain eggs which we had in stock. Altogether there were 135 people. During the day started to work by the bridge, but soon a large crowd of onlookers gathered behind the lattice fence - we were forced to leave and spend the rest of time bored in the garden. Alexei and Anastasia went outside for the first time. At 7 o'cl. there was an evening service in the playroom. After dinner (we] disbanded at 10 o'cl.;  I read to Tatiana aloud in my room. Went to bed early.

Olga to Nicholas

2nd April 1917 

Christ is risen!  My Golden priceless Papa.  May the Lord let You peacefully and happily greet this holy day.  I send you an enormously affectionate kiss, my very own dear Papa.  Your loyal Plastun.

Nicholas diary

3rd April. Monday.  

An excellent spring day. At 10 o'cl. took a walk with Valya Dolgorukov. At 11 o'cl. went to obednya with Tatiana and Anastasia. After breakfast went outside to the park with them and Alexei and broke ice the entire time by our summer docks; a crowd of onlookers again stood by the lattices and stared at us from beginning to end. The sun warmed us nicely. After tea went through masses of postcards received previously. In the evening played "Windmill" with Alix upstairs, then read aloud to Tatiana in my room.

4th April. Tuesday.

A marvelous spring day: 12° in the shade. In the morning took a walk for almost an hour.  In the afternoon continued to break ice, and a crowd still stared through the lattices from the street. Started to read "History of the Byzantine Empire" by Uspensky; a very interesting book. Spent the evening the same as the last ones.

5th April. Wednesday.

It rained during the night from which the snow almost disappeared. The day remained grey and cool. Slept badly and got up late. Took a walk in the morning. In the afternoon worked with Alexei at both spots. A few people were staring at us. There was a lot of water, it overflowed through the stone tiles.  Before dinner read my book, and in the evening aloud to Tatiana.

7th April. Friday.

The weather improved and it got warmer. Took a long walk in the morning, as it was nice (outside]. In the afternoon worked with Tatiana and Alexei. The soldiers' faces and their rude bearing made a disgusting impression on everyone. Read a lot.  From 10 o'cl. in the evening in my [room] downstairs.

9th April. Sunday.

Wonderful spring day. Took a half hour walk. Went to obednya. From 2 o'cl. until 4 ½ o’cl. worked and broke ice between two bridges across the center of the house. Read a lot after tea. In the evening it got cloudy, it was very warm; they removed winter frames from Alix's [windows].

10th April. Monday.

The day remained cool. Alexei got a bit of a sore throat and was put to bed. Olga is still in bed, while Maria gets up for a few hours. During the day worked with Tatiana between the bridges.  Spent the evening as usual.

11th April. Tuesday.

Once again a wonderful quiet day. Took a walk from 11 until 12 o'cl. During the day Alix finally came outside with us for a stroll. Nagorny pushed her in a wheelchair. She watched as we worked on the ice. The sun warmed us wonderfully. Read before dinner. Alix requested vsenoshnaya upstairs for the children. Sat downstairs in my [room] with Tatiana until 11 o'cl.

12th April. Wednesday.

Cold windy day. Took a half hour walk and then sat with the children while Alix was at obednya. Kerensky came by during the day and distracted me from my work on the ice. At first he spoke with Alix, then with me. Read after tea. In the evening we sat upstairs, had tea together and also slept all together.

13th April. Thursday. 

Freeze during the night down to 3° and the day remained cold with an unpleasant wind.  As usual took an hour walk with Valya D. in the morning. In the afternoon with Tatiana and Alexei's state (?) but without him. Read before dinner, and aloud to the daughters in the evening until 11 o'cl.

14th April. Friday.

The air temperature is wintery, instead of rain there was occasional wet snow. Took a ½ hour walk. None of the daughters went out for a walk a afternoon, afraid of catching a cold. After tea checked my boots and picked out the old and worthless ones.  In the evening read aloud to the daughters, C. Doge's book "The Valley of Fear".

15th April. Saturday.

Cold day, but a bit better and without snow. Took a walk and read a lot. In the afternoon went outside with Tatiana. At the end of our work the free sharpshooters from the guard room walked over to us and stared with curiosity at how we pulled out ice floes! At 6 ½ went to vsenoshnaya. In the evening read aloud the same book.

16th April. Sunday.

During the night the freeze came down to 3°. Besides that, there was cold wind. At 11 o'cl. [we] went to obednya. Took a walk with Tatiana. Read until dinner time in my [room] and in the evening to the children.

18th April. Tuesday.

[…] Worked for an hour and a half with Tatiana. In the evening started to read "A Millionaire Girl" aloud to the children.

20 April, Thursday.

Unusual autumn weather continues: the sun appears, then dense snow falls while very strong wind blows.  In the morning from 10 o’cl. until 11 o'cl. I gave a geography lesson to Alexei. Then took a walk. In the afternoon we worked on the ice.  Saw a sleeping guard, who was sitting on a bench, wrapped in his sheepskin coat! Read for a long time before and after dinner.

21st April. Friday.

The weather got a bit warmer and stayed [that way] with no rain. Took a walk with Alexei on the "children's island" and then studied Russian history with him. In the afternoon Anastasia also went outside for an hour and half; worked on the ice between the bridges strenuously. Before dinner read "History of the Byzantium Empire" and aloud in the evening upstairs.

27th April. Thursday.

Birthday of dear Georgiy [Nicholas’ brother who died in 1899], weather improved a bit. In the morning took a longer walk after the geography lesson with Alexei.  E. A. Naryshkina had breakfast. From 2 ½ until 4 ½ (we] took a walk and broke the last of the ice floes in the same spot. Before dinner read in my [room], and in the evening upstairs aloud.

28th April. Friday.

The day remained nice, sunny. Took a walk between 11 o'cl. and 12 o'cl. and had a history lesson with Alexei. In the afternoon took a walk and began work devising the kitchen garden in the park across from the windows of the house. T., M., Anast. and Valya energetically dug the earth, while the commandant and the officers of the guard watched and occasionally gave advice.  In the evening finished reading "A Millionnaire Girl".

29th April. Saturday.

The same nice clear weather. Took a walk. In the afternoon the entire family went out into the garden.  Alix [sat] in wheelchair on the lawn [and] watched us work on digging the soil. At 6 ½ [we] went to vsenoshnaya. These last few days we eat dinner without electric lighting upstairs, as of yesterday the evenings became bright. Started [reading) aloud S. Holmes book "The Hound of the Baskervilles".

30th April. Sunday.

Excellent weather. Took a walk before obednya. At 2 o'clock we went out into the garden with many of our people who wanted to work. Everyone was digging the soil with a lot of enthusiasm and even joy, and worked until 5 o'cl. without even noticing [the time]. The weather was pleasant. Read before and after dinner.

1st May. Monday.

Wonderful, warm day. In the morning took a nice walk. From 12 o'cl. I gave Alexei a geography lesson. During the day worked again in our vegetable garden. The sun was scorching hot, but work is progressing well. Read before dinner, and aloud in the evening. Yesterday we found out that General Kornilov left his post as Commander-in-Chief of the Petrograd Military District, and this evening about Guchkov's resignation, both for the same reason: the irresponsible interference in the military authority by the Soviet of Workers' Deputies, and some other organizations that are far more on the left. What does providence have in store for poor Russia? May God's will be done to us! 

2 May.  Tuesday

Grey warm day.  Took a walk.  Finished reading Kasso's book "Russia on the Danube" and started a multi-volume composition by Kuropatkin "The Challenges of the Russian Army". In the afternoon worked in the vegetable garden, completed around half.  By the end it started to drizzle.  Spent the evening as usual.

3rd May. Wednesday.

Alexei's arm was hurting, and he stayed in bed all day. From morning until night, it was pouring rain, which was very beneficial for the emerging vegetation. Took a short walk in the morning and afternoon with Maria and Anastasia. Read a lot. In the evening finished [reading] an English book aloud.

4 May. Thursday

The weather remained clear but cool. Alexei's arm did not hurt, there were no lessons as he stayed in bed. After the morning walk I read a lot. In the afternoon everyone came out into the garden where once again there was a major joint effort in the kitchen garden. In the evening started to read “Le Mystere de la Chambre Jaune" aloud.

5th May. Friday.

After the morning walk taught history to Alexei. His arm stopped [hurting] and he got up after breakfast. Continued our work in the garden; Alix came outside for an hour. At 6 ½ [we] went to vsenoshnaya. Before dinner received gifts.  Read aloud to the daughters.

6th May Saturday

I turned 49 years old.  Not far from half a century!  In my thoughts I was especially longing for dear Mama.  So hard not to even be able to correspond.  I know nothing of her except some foolish and horrid articles in the papers.  The day felt like a Sunday: obednya, breakfast upstairs, puzzle! Friendly work in the garden; started to dig vegetable beds, after tea (was) vsenoshanaya, dinner and evening reading – spent a lot more time with my darling family than usual in the past years.

7th May. Sunday.

Cold windy weather with snow squalls. At 11 o'cl. went to obednya. Took a walk with Tatiana, Maria and Anastasia, while Alexei was playing on the island. Before and after tea, enjoyed lots of reading. In the evening the weather became completely wintery - it snowed with 2° of frost.

9 May.  Tuesday

A very nice sunny day.  Took a walk with for almost an hour with Alexei.  In the afternoon we vigorously worked on the vegetable garden; it was hard digging the vegetable beds due to dampness of the earth after snow. Read the Kurapatkin book with interest before dinner, and in the evening a French one aloud.

10th May. Wednesday

Excellent warm day. Spent an hour in the fresh air with Alexei, and then taught him history. In the afternoon went to the park, worked in the garden and started to plant some vegetables. At 6 ½ went to vsenoshnaya. In the evening finished the French book.

11th May.

Ascension of the Lord. Wonderful summer day. Took a short walk with Valya before obednya. After breakfast stopped with Alix to [see] E.A. Naryshkina, who is ill, apparently pneumonia.  Worked in the garden and sweated profusely.  Read until 7 o’cl. and then rode bicycles for the first time with the daughters.  It was also very pleasant to breathe the evening air.

13th May. Saturday

Sunny day with a cool breeze.  Went for an hour walk with Alexei. In the afternoon worked nicely in the garden. Saw when they brought canoes and boats to our pond. Tatiana and Alexei took advantage and boated around. At 6 ½ o'cl. went to vsenoshnaya. In the evening read aloud the book "Le Parfum de la Dame en Noir", which I started on 11th May.

14 May Sunday

Spent the 21^st anniversary of the coronation in a rather different atmosphere!  The weather was excellent; 15° in the shade. Took a walk with Alexei before obednya. Spent the afternoon in the garden from 2 o'cl. until 4 ½ o'cl.; canoed and boated, worked in the kitchen garden where the new vegetable beds were being prepared, and also on the island. Read after tea and also in the evening.

15th May. Monday.

A clear and very warm day. After the walk had a geography lesson with Alexei. Went out into the garden at 2 o'cl. and worked the entire time with the others on the vegetable garden; Alix and the daughters planted various vegetables in the prepared beds. At 5 dd. returned home in sweat. After tea did some reading. At 7½ went out with Tatiana, Maria and Anastasia and rode bicycles until 7.45. spent the evening as usual.

16 May Tuesday

Wonderful, summer day; after noon it was 20° in the shade.  Took an hour walk in the morning, while Alexei was playing on the island.  Finished the first volume of “Challenges of the Russian Army” by Kuropatkin and started the second.  From 2 until 5 o’cl  worked with sweat literally pouring down [our] faces in the vegetable garden.  […] Before dinner we rode our bicycles with pleasure.

20th May. Saturday

Ideally hot day, but without the humidity. Took a walk for an hour with the four and Alexei in the morning. In the afternoon worked with the others in the kitchen garden and rested by sailing in a row boat. At 6 ½ went to vsenoshnaya. The aroma from the garden is amazing, when one sits by the window.  Yesterday started to read "Le Fauteuil Hante" aloud.

21st May. Pentecost.

Wonderful weather without even one cloud in the sky. Took a walk with Alexei until 10 o’cl. At 10 ½ obednya started, and then vechernya, which ended at 12 o'cl. In the afternoon stayed in the garden for three hours. Sawed a fallen tree for fire wood in the garden, row boated and rode a bicycle. Read until 7 ½ and walked for a bit with the daughters before dinner.

22nd May. Day of the Holy Spirit [Whit Monday]

Warm grey day.  Went for a walk until 11 o'cl. with Olga, Anastasia and Alexei. Had breakfast at 12 o'cl. In the afternoon spent three hours in the garden, on the island and on the pond. Towards the end it started to rain, which continued until 8 o'cl. The aroma wafting through the windows was remarkable. Today is the anniversary of the beginning of the army's offense of the south-western front! What mood it was back then and what it is now!

[Nicholas still patriotic to the core and worrying about how the Russian Army is faring]

24th May Wednesday

Warm day with passing rain.  Took a walk with Alexei in the morning.  Before breakfast taught him history.  Cut into pieces one of yesterday’s spruce trees.  At 6 ½ went to vsenoshnaya.  Before dinner Alix got our modest gifts.

25th May Thursday

Birthday of my dear Alix.  May the Lord give her strength and peace of mind!  Before obednya all the house residents came with their greetings.  Had breakfast upstairs as usual.  In the afternoon Alix came out into the garden with us.  Shopped and sawed [wood] in the park.  At 7 ½ rode bicycles with the daughters.  The weather was nice.  In the evening read “Le Comte de Monte Cristo” aloud.

27th May Saturday

[…] The day remained wonderful. In the morning took a walk farther out in the park, was looking for more dead trees. In the afternoon chopped a lot and sawed.  Sailed in boats with the children. At 6 ½ went to vsenoshnaya.  In the evening read aloud.

28th May. Sunday

Before obednya took a walk with Tatiana, Maria and Anastasia; the weather was wonderful.  […] Before dinner Tatiana got gifts. 

29th May. Monday.

Dear Tatiana turned 20 years old.

In the morning took a long stroll with all the children.  At 12 cl. had moleben. In the afternoon spent three hours in the garden, out of which I worked for two hours in the woods. Then sailed in a row boat. The day was magnificent. Before dinner took a walk and also went to the kitchen garden. In the evening read aloud as usual.

31st May. Wednesday

Yet another nice day - cloudless ad warm. Took a walk with Alexei and then taught him geography. In the afternoon successfully worked near the path past the tennis (court); fell five dead spruce trees and cut them up for firewood. After tea, unsealed a small cupboard in Papa's study with Benkendorf, and looked through all the papers and things that were inside. Before dinner took a walk with the daughters. In the evening started [reading] the second volume of "Le Comte de Monte-Cristo".

1st June Thursday

A beautiful very warm day.  From 10 o’cl taught Alexei history, then took a nice walk around the park.  After breakfast we sawed down a huge spruce tree near yesterday’s spot.  It was very hot to work and the flies were very annoying. Before dinner we also took a walk.

2nd June. Friday

In the morning took a walk inside the park again, where it was so nice and dense. Before breakfast had a lesson with Alexei. In the afternoon Alix was present at our work at yesterday's spot; [we] finished sawing the entire tree. Sailed in row boat. After reading for an hour and a half, took a walk in the garden with O., Mar. and An. The weather was marvellous.

3rd June. Saturday

After morning tea, Kerensky arrived unexpectedly in a motor from the city. He did not stay here very long: asked me to send to the investigation commission any papers or letters related to internal politics. After a walk and until breakfast, helped Korovichenko to sort out these papers. In the afternoon he continued it together with Kobylinsky.

5th June. Monday

Today darling Anastasia turned 16 years old. Took a walk with all the children until 12 o'cl.  Went to molebna.  ln the afternoon cut down two large spruce trees at the crossing of three roads near the Arsenal. The heat was tremendous, the sun looked reddish, there was a burning smell in the air - probably from peat being burned somewhere. Sailed in a boat for a bit. In the evening took a walk until 8 o'cl.  Started the 3^rd volume of “Le Comte de Monte-Cirsto”.

8th June. Thursday

The hottest day so far: 24° in the shade. Before the morning walk taught history to Alexei.  In the afternoon, despite the tropical heat, [we] sawed down two more spruces. Once again there is excellent guard from the 3rd sharpshooter regiment. Drank a great deal of tea after working.  As usual, read before the evening walk, and aloud in the evening.

9th June. Friday

Exactly three months since I returned from Mogilev and here we are confined as prisoners. It is hard not to have news from dear Mama, but as for other matters, I feel indifferent. Today is even hotter; 25° in the shade, and 36° in the sun.  Again a strong burning smell. After a walk, I taught history in my new study, where it is cooler.  We worked nicely at the same spot.  Alix did not go outside.  Before dinner five of us took a walk.

14th June. Wednesday

Dear Maria turned 18 years old today!  In the morning took a walk with all the children around the entire park. The weather was wonderful. At 12 o’cl. went to molebna. In the afternoon Alix came outside with us. Worked nearby in the park; cut down three large trees. After tea finished reading Kuropatkin's work "The Challenges of Russian Army", which I found really interesting. Started a French book "La Maison des Hommes Vivants"

15th June. Thursday

A hot clear day. Took a long morning walk. Studied geography with Alexei. Alix stayed home. Sawed and chopped at the same spot, fell a large fir tree by the little path. Took a refreshing bath before tea. Took a walk before dinner. In the evening started to read aloud the 5th chapter of "Comte de Monte-Cristo". Benkendorf, Valya D. and both ladies-in-waiting received a notice of their dismissal from service.

19th June. Monday

The weather was relatively cool. The day passed as usual. Right before dinner we got good news about the offensive at the south-western front.  In Zolochinskliy direction, after two days of artillery fire, our troops broke through the enemy potions and captured about 170 officers and 10,000 men, 6 rifles and 24 machine guns. Thank the Lord!  God willing, we shall have good luck! Feeling rather different after such joyful news.

[still patriotically concerned about how the war is going]

20th June. Tuesday.

Yesterday's battle was successful: in just two days our troops have taken 18,600 prisoners. Before breakfast there was a thanksgiving service in the camp church. In the afternoon we cut down four dead trees behind the tennis [court] and then worked in the vegetable garden for a little while until 4 ½.  All day the weather was overcast , and from 4 o’cl beneficial rain fell.

Letter – Tatiana to Zinaida Tolstaya

Tsarskoe Selo, 23 June 1917.

Dearest Z.S., I am terribly ashamed that I still have not thanked you for your letter on the 29th of May and the lovely embroidered bags. I kept the bluish one with multicolored flowers, Olga - the light blue one with yellow roses, Anastasia - the pink, and Maria - the all yellow. They are very useful to us and they always remind us of you. Mama always takes her bag to the garden with a book or something else. The weather here is warm all the time, then comes heavy rain and it becomes much refreshed. But we needed the rain as it was very dry. How are you all? And what does your husband read aloud to you while you work? In the evenings after we have our dinner, we all work too while Papa reads to us. We are now finishing Volume VI of the book "Le Comte de Monte Cristo" by Alexandre Dumae [sic]. Do you know it? It is extremely interesting. Earlier we read about various detectives; which were also interesting. Well, goodbye, dear Z.S. I will wait for your letters.

Nicholas diary

26 June/July 9, Monday

It was a glorious day. Our good commandant, Colonel Kobylinsky, has asked me not to shake hands with the officers in the presence of outsiders, and not to greet the soldiers. There have already been several occasions when they refused to answer. Worked with Alexei on geography. We sawed up an enormous pine not far from the green-houses.  The soldiers themselves volunteered to help. The evening ended with reading.

5/18 July, Wednesday

It rained all morning; by 2 o'clock the weather improved; and toward evening it grew cooler. Spent the day as usual. In Petrograd there are disorders these days, accompanied by shooting. Many soldiers and sailors arrived there yesterday from Kronshtadt to oppose the Provisional Government. Absolute chaos. Where are the people who could take this movement in hand and put a stop lo strife and bloodshed? The root of all this evil is in Petrograd and not everywhere in Russia.

6th July. Thursday

Fortunately, overwhelming majority of troops in Petrograd remained loyal to their duty and order is again restored in the streets. The weather has been wonderful. Took a nice walk with Tatiana and Valya. During the day we worked successfully in the forest grove chopping down and sawing up four trees. In the evening I began... [sic]

10th July. Monday.

 ….. [took a] morning walk around the entire park. During the day cut down four dry pine trees and cut them up right there for firewood.  Returned home exactly at 5 o'cl. Read a lot.  Before dinner Olga received gifts [Olga’s name day 12th July].

13th July. Thursday

In the last few days bad news has been coming from the south-western front. After our offense at Galich, a lot of regiments infected by the ignoble defeatist preaching, not only refused to move forward but in some areas retreated without even any pressure from the enemy. Taking advantage of this circumstance, beneficial to them, the Germans and the Austrians broke through southern Galitzia despite low army strength, which may force the entire southwestern front to retreat east. Complete disgrace and despair! […] The day stayed warm and overcast. Worked on the same spot on the side of the glade. Cut down three and cut up two felled timber logs. Slowly starting to pack clothes and books.

[Nicholas, patriotic to the core of his being, despite being ‘under arrest’ is concerned about Russian military setbacks]

19th July, Wednesday

Three years ago, Germany declared war on us; it seems like a whole lifetime ago, these three years! Lord, help and save Russia!  It mas very hot. Took a walk with T., M. and A.  Once again, with the entire convoy of guards from the 3^rd regiment. Worked on the same spot. Felled four trees and finished the pine trees which were downed yesterday.  Now I am reading Merezhkovsky's novel “Alexander I."

22nd July, Saturday

Name Day of dear Mama and our Maria. The weather was lovely and hot. We worked in the afternoon, cut down three small trees and sawed them into pieces, as well as two other old ones, which were sitting for a while. Sweated awfully. At 6 o'cl. we went to moleben and vsenoshnaya. Read aloud as usual. Last night, Kerensky suddenly arrived from the city and stayed at the Lyceum. It turns out that the entire government fell apart, he himself had resigned and is awaiting the decision which various parties are supposed to come to after a meeting taking place at the Winter Palace.

25th July. Tuesday

The new Provisional Government mas formed with Kerensky at the head. We shall see whether he will do better going forward? The first issue consists of strengthening the discipline in the army and raising its morale, as well as bringing internal situation in Russia to some kind of order! Worked in the same spot; cut down four firs and sawed apart as many. Finished reading "Alexander I" by Merezhkovsky.

28th July. Friday

Wonderful day; took a walk with pleasure. After breakfast found out from Count Benkendorf that we are not being sent to the Crimea, but to one of the far away governing cities three to four days of travel to the east! But where exactly, they are not telling us, even the commandant does not know.  And we were hoping so much for a long stay in Livadia!  Cut down a huge fir at the clearing near the path. A short warm rain came and went. In the evening I am reading aloud "A Study in Scarlet" [by] Conan Doyle.

30th July. Sunday 1917

Today dear Alexei turned 13 years od. May the Lord grant him health, patience, strength of character and body in these difficult times! Went to obednya, and after breakfast to moleben, where we brought the Znamenie Holy Virgin icon.

31st July. Monday

The last day of our stay at Tsarskoe Selo. The weather was beautiful. Worked in the same spot during the day; cut down three trees and sawed up yesterday's.

11th July.  Friday

Arrived in Tobolsk

12th August. Saturday

Again an excellent day without sun, but very warm. In the morning walked around the deck and read there too until breakfast. Maria and Alexei got up and went outside for fresh air during the day. At 3 o'clock went down Irtysh and docked at the base of a high bank, which we have been wanting to get to. Immediately climbed up there with the marksmen and then sat for a long time on a plain low stool, a wonderful view. Returned to Tobolsk during tea time.

17th August. Thursday

Magnificent day; 19° in the shade, 36° on the balcony. Alexei had pains in his arm. Spent an hour in the morning in the garden, and during the day - two hours. Yesterday started to read "L'ile Enchantée". In the evening played dominos: Alix, Tatiana, Botkin and I. During tea time there was a big rain storm. Moonlit night.

20th August, Sunday

Ideal weather: during the day the temp, reaches 21° in the shade. At 11 o’cl obednitsa service in the hall. Found work for myself in the garden: cutting down a dry pine tree. After tea, as usual these days, read with the daughters on the balcony under the hot rays of sun. The evening was warm and moonlit.

21st August. Thursday

Wonderful day. VI. Nik. Derevenko arrived with his family, this was the event of the day. Bad news from the front was unfortunately confirmed; today we found out that Riga was abandoned and our troops had retreated far into North-east.

Michael Alexandrovich diary

25 August, Friday. Gatchina...

 These last few days the newspapers wrote a lot about the discovery of a counter-revolutionary conspiracy, the center of which was Margarita Khitrovo, who was also arrested. It turned out that due to the discovery of this conspiracy, our arrest and that of Uncle Paul occurred. But apparently there is no such conspiracy ...

Nicholas diary

26th August. Saturday

After a nice rain during the night the weather once again was beautiful. Read with the daughters before our walk, before breakfast and after tea on the balcony. Worked in the garden. Alexei stayed in bed with a cold and earache; it went away in the afternoon. Not much news from the front, the newspapers only get here every six days.

27th August. Sunday

It got cooler today. At 11 o’cl. obednitsa was conducted. We like the priest who does the services for us very much; four nuns sing. Alexei stayed in bed as a precaution.

28th August. Monday

In the morning we found out about the passing of Ek.Il. Tatischeva; her son received an emergency telegram on the eighth day! The weather was cool and grey. Alexei got up and walked around the rooms. The daughters also have colds, but they go out into the garden. Obviously no one sat on the balcony. Read a lot. Both Tatischev and Valya are not well.

29th August

Today is 10 years since we hit a rock on “The Standart". At 11 o'cl. obednitsa was conducted.  The weather was cold, with occasional rain. Took a short walk. After dinner read telegrams about Gen. Komilov pronouncing himself dictator, and in another that he was deposed from his post as Supreme Commander, and was replaced by Gen. Klembovsky.

8th September. Friday

For the first time went to Blagoveschenie church {Anunciation Cathedral], where our priest has been serving for a while now. But my joy was spoiled by the foolish circumstances during our procession over there. Along the path of the town gardens stood the marksmen, and by the church was a huge crowd! This deeply disturbed me. The weather was nice, a little cool.

Tatiana to Ksenia Alexandrovna

18th September, 1917

We now have a whole farm here. Lots of chickens, turkeys, ducks and five pigs, a cat, (they all) live in the former governor's stables. One accidentally escaped and ran to the street. Looked for him for a long time but could not find, and then in the evening he came back to us himself. Alexei feeds all the animals every day. He and Papa dug a small duck pond, where they swim with pleasure.

From our windows we have a beautiful view of the mountains and the upper part of town, where there is a large Cathedral. [illeg] ... Arranged to play gorodki [a game similar to bowling or horseshoes] in front of the house, and we play [a game] something like tennis, but of course without a net, but just for practice. Then we walk back and forth, in order not to forget how to walk. - The length of 120 steps, much shorter than our balcony.

On Sundays we have obednitsa in the hall, [we] went to church twice. You can imagine what joy it was for us after 6 months, as you remember how uncomfortable our camp church was in Tsarskoe Selo.

[…]

We took Mama in a wheelchair, as it is difficult for her to walk. It is sad that she has severe pains in her face all the time, apparently from her teeth, and then from the dampness. But all the rest of us are healthy. I hope that all of you are too. How is little Tikhon, his parents? Did Aunt Olga get my letter from 6/IX? How are your granddaughter and all the children? And You yourself, how do you feel? What do you do all day – how do you spend your time?  Did Grandmama recover?  Tatischev was very touched that he was remembered.

We sit all together in the evenings, someone reads aloud. We eat breakfast together too but have tea by ourselves. We remember you all very often. Would so much like to see you and talk. Have not seen each other for so long and so much time has passed. - Have you heard about the wedding of little Maria P. and Gulya P. We really did not expect this - and you?

Maria to V. G. Maltseva

21st September, 1917

The snow is already sitting on the road. And what kind of weather do you have? Is it still warm of cold already? I remember how we used to go to this infirmary last year. - Did you finish embroidering your appetizing blue pillow case with the grapes? Anastasia kisses and thank you for the card, she will write one of these days. We just took a walk, went to the garden and dug for rutabaga. Here in the garden we only have rutabaga and cabbage. Thank Verochka and Evg. Aleks. very much for the remembering [us], we kiss them affectionately.

Nicholas diary

24th September. Sunday

After yesterday's incident [during a service the priest prayed for the health of the imperial family using their titles] they did not allow us to go to church, fearing someone's resentment. Obednitsa was at home. The day was superb: 11° in the shade with a warm breeze.  Walked for a long time, played gorodki with Olga and sawed wood.  In the evening read "Zapechatlenniy Angel” aloud.

26 September. Tuesday

Another magnificent cloudless day. In the morning walked a lot and read on the balcony before breakfast. Cut wood during the day and played gorodki. After tea unpacked the newly arrived rugs and decorated our rooms with them.  Finished Leskov's novel "Nekuda."

29th September. Friday

The other day Botkin received a document from Kerensky, from which we found out that we are allowed to take walks outside of town. To Botkin's question as to when this can start, the dreadful Pankratov replied that this is not even up for discussion right now due to some inexplicable concern for our safety. Everyone was extremely indignant by this answer. The weather got cooler. Finished “Ramuntcho”. 

Tatiana to Zinaida Tolstaya

Tobolsk, 2 October, 1917

From our windows we have a splendid view of the mountain, the high city and the cathedral. Too bad we cannot see the river. We went to church three times- it was such comfort and joy! On Saturdays and other times, we have vsenoshnaya and obednitsa. Certainly, that was nice but still, it cannot replace going to a real church. We have not been to a real one for more than a half a year, since at Tsarskoe Selo we had (only) a camp one ...! Time passes quickly and monotonously.  We work, read, play the piano, walk, and have lessons.

That is all. How are you, and how do you spend your time?

I wish you all the best, darling.  I kiss you firmly.  M.

Nicholas diary

4th October. Wednesday

Today we were reminiscing about the convoy holidays in the old times. It was warmer than it sometimes is in Crimea at the same time of the year. Good for Tobolsk! Spent the day as usual. After vsenoshnaya, Alexei got his gifts [Alexei’s name day tomorrow). Had dinner at 7 ½ o'cl.

5th October. Thursday

Did not get to church for obednya on Alexei's name day due to the stubbornness of Mr. Pankratov, and at 11 o'cl. we had a moleben service [at the house]. In the morning it was foggy, which dissipated by one o'clock. Spent a long time outside in the fresh air. In the evening Alexei arranged cinematograph for us. The entire family walked before tea. Since yesterday Kharitonov (their cook) has been cooking our food, they bring provisions every two days. The daughters are learning to cook from him and are kneading dough in the evenings, and baking the bread in the mornings. Not bad!

Poem brought to Tobolsk by Anastasia Hendrikova

THE PRAYER

Grant us patience, oh Lord,

In the time of violent dark days,

To bear the people's persecution

And our executioners' cruelties.

Grant us strength, oh Righteous God,

To forgive evils of our close ones

And to accept the heavy and bloody cross

With Your own meekness.

And in these insurgent days,

When our enemy robs us

To bear humiliation and abasement

Help us, Christ the Saviour!

Master of the world, God of the universe!

Bless us with a prayer

And grant peace to our humble souls,

In this unendurable fatal hour...

And in the passage to the grave,

Breathe into the lips of Your servants,

Formidable strength

To humbly pray for enemies.

[After the murders of the imperial family this poem was found at the Ipatiev house, written in Olga Nikolaevna’s hand.]

Alexandra Feodorovna to Anna Vyrubova

17 October

My darling: We are thinking constantly of you and of all the suffering you have had to endure.  God help you in the future. How are your weak heart and your poor legs? We hope to go to Communion as usual if we are to be allowed. Lessons have begun again with Mr Gibbs also. So glad, at last. We are all well. It is beautifully sunny. I sit behind this wall in the yard and work. Greetings to the doctors, the priest, and the nurses in your infirmary. I kiss you and pray God to keep you.

21 October

My darling: I was inexpressibly glad to get the news of you, and I kiss you fondly for your loving thoughts of me. [...] How are Our Friend's [Rasputin’s] dear children, how well does the boy [Rasputin’s son Dmitri] learn, and where do they live? [...] I have heard nothing from Lili D. for some time. We are all well. I have been suffering from neuralgia in the head but now Dr Kostritsky has come to treat me. We have spoken often of you. They say life in the Crimea is dreadful now. Still Olga A. is happy with her little Tikhon whom she is nursing herself. They have no servants so she and N.A. look after everything. […] The needlework you sent me was the only token we have received from any of our friends. Where is poor Catherine [Schneider|? We suffer so for all, and pray for all of you. That is all we can do. The weather is bad these last few days, and I never venture out because my heart is not behaving very well. I get a great deal of consolation [from] reading the Bible. I often read it to the children, and I am sure that you also read it. Write soon again. We all kiss you and bless you. May God sustain and keep you. My heart is full, but words are feeble things.

Yours A.

The jacket warms and comforts me. I am surrounded by dear presents, the blue dressing gown, red slippers, silver tray, the stick, etc. The icon I wear.

Tatiana to Pyotr Petrov

Tobolsk. 23 October 1917

Dear Pyotr Vasilievich, I am quite embarrassed that I haven't written to you until now. Would you please get my books by A. Tolstoy; they always stood on the 1st shelf of my bookcase, but I don't know what it's like now. I will be very grateful to you if you get them, although I know how hard it is. Send them to Isa if you can manage it, or by mail to the name of Commissar Pankratov, for delivery to me!

Now then! We remember you often, I hope that you are completely recovered. Here we have a lot of snow but it isn't very cold. The lessons are going well, so that almost all our time is filled up and the day goes by very quickly – mainly because it is monotonous.  Yesterday we partook in the Holy Gifts in church.  It was so nice.

Nicholas diary

2nd November. Thursday

During the night it abruptly froze up, in the morning it was down to 11°.  The day was sunny with a northern wind. Took a walk as usual; during the day hauled firewood. In the evening Olga received some modest gifts.

3rd November. Friday

Dear Olga is 22 years old; pity that the poor thing had to spend her birthday under current circumstances. At 12 o'cl. we had a moleben. The weather became mild again. Sawed some wood. Started a new interesting book "The Elusive Pimpernel."

Tatiana to Zinaïda Tolstaya

(Tobolsk) 6th November, 1917

I am sending you all the four icons from Mama and all of us. They were lying on top of the relics of St. loann Maximovich of Tobolsk. Unfortunately, we did not go there. Tatiana.

[…] I read a lot. I decided to read all the books by our best writers from the beginning to end! I also read 01v4 books in English and French. I'm working with Alexei on Russian History, which I love...

Nicholas diary

10th November. Friday

Another warm day - it went to zero. During the day I sawed wood. Finished the first volume of "1793." In the evening I read Turgenev's "Memoirs of a Hunter" aloud.

11th November. Saturday

Much snow has fallen. No newspapers or telegrams have come from Petrograd for a long time. At such a grave time this is serious. The girls were busy with the swings, jumping from them into a pile of snow. At 9 o'cl. there was vsenoshnaya.

14 November. Tuesday

Birthday of dear Mother and 23rd anniversary of our wedding. At 12 o'cl. moleben service; the choristers kept getting confused and making mistakes, must have not practiced [sic]. The weather was sunny, warm and with a strong wind.

During the afternoon tea I read my old diaries - a pleasant pastime.

Maria and Anastasia to V. G. Maltseva

[…] Klavdia Mikhailovna is giving us lessons in Literature and History, you probably remember her. We have snow on the ground but it is rather warm, it's even melting these days. Our only acquaintance here is the son of a woman on staff, Tolya, who is 6 years old. He reminds us of Vit’ka Vor. We play with him outside and inside, he entertains us a lot. It is so pleasant to play with little ones, as we love children so much. When we went to... [letter ends].

Nicholas diary

17th November. Friday

The same unpleasant weather with stabbing wind. It is nauseating to read the newspaper descriptions of what happened two weeks ago in Petrograd and Moscow! Much worse and more shameful than the events in the Time of Troubles.

18th November. Saturday

Received shocking news that 3 members of the parliament of our 5th army went to the Germans ahead of Dvinsk, and signed some preliminary peace treaty with them!

Tatiana to Lili Dehn

Tobolsk. 1917. 19th November

My own sweet dear Lili darling, We were so sad that we didn't have any news from you, but in our prayers and thoughts we are constantly with you. I very much hope that you my dear are well and your son too. We are all fine. When it was warm, Mama went outside to the garden a lot, but now she is mostly sitting at home. [She] reads a lot and works. We live peacefully. They now took away our joy of going to church, and obednya and vsenoshnaya are always officiated at home. You can probably find out (more) about our lives from Zinochka – I am glad you see (each other], as she is very sweet. We have not walked past the church, It is sad that we couldn't go to the cathedral and venerate the saints' relics. We have breakfast and dinner all together downstairs. Mama and Alexei eat upstairs and Papa in his blue study. In the evenings we all sit together in Mama's red sitting room. We work or play some game, while Papa reads to us out loud. The small  sitting room is dark, Mama's and Papa's bedroom is brown. Across the hall is Alexei's room, and we 4 have an end room, which is light blue. We have all settled in very nicely and cozily.

Alexandra to Anna Vyrubova

23 November, 1917

My dear Annushka, Yesterday I received your dear letter, dated 6 Nov, and thank you for it with all my heart, It is such joy to hear from you, and God is very merciful to have given us this compensation. Life in town must be more than unpleasant, shut up in stuffy rooms, steep stairs to climb - no lovely walks to take - horrors all around you. Poor child! You know that I am near you heart and soul, sharing all your pain and horror and praying for you with fervent tenderness. Every morning I read in the book you gave me seven years ago - "Day by Day" and like it very much - there are some lovely consoling passages in it.

The weather is very changeable, frost, sunshine - then darkness and thaws. Despairingly dull for those that [sic] like good walks and who are deprived of them. Lessons continue as before - mother and daughters work and knir a great deal preparing Xmas presents.

[…] God will never forsake her – His love is above all.  All are well on the whole, as I do not count chills and colds - knee and arm swell up from time to time, but happily without pain. The heart has latterly [sic] not being (sic) behaving well. Read much, live in the past, which is so full of rich remembrances - trust in a brighter future - He won't forsake those who love and trust in His infinite mercy and when we least expect it He will send help and save His unhappy country.

Tatiana to ??

29 November, 1917

In the evening we sit together, some play bridge, or bezique. We work while Papa reads aloud. Sometimes he plays and someone else reads. Tatiana.

Nicholas diary

3rd December. Sunday

Alix and Alexei did not go with us to obednya due to the freeze - it was 16°. All morning we rehearsed our plays in the hall where, with the help of many screens and all sorts of furniture we set up like a stage. In the evening it was all put away. We took walks while there was daylight. During bezique I now read aloud Turgenev's "On the Eve."

6th December. Wednesday

Spent my name day quietly and not like in the previous years. At 12 o'cl. a moleben service. The marksmen of the 4th regiment in the garden, former guards, all congratulated me, and I them - with the regiment holiday. Received three name day pies and sent one of them to the guards. In the evening Maria, Alexei and M. Gilliard acted in a very friendly little play "Le Fluide de John;" there was a lot of laughter.

7th December, Thursday

The freeze came down to 22° with  strong wind, which cut the face, nevertheless we successfully went outside in the morning and evening. In my study, in the daughters' room and the hall it is very cold - 10°, which is why I wear my Plastun cherkesska all day until nighttime. Finished part II of "World History."

Tatiana to Anna Vyrubova

During the day we take another walk for about 1 ½ hour, when it's not too cold. We have tea upstairs, after that we read or write. For dinner we all assemble again and after that everyone stays for the evening. Some work, others play cards or something else - sometimes Papa reads to all. And so it is day after day. "In On Saturdays we have vsenoshnaya at home in the hall at 9 o'clock, because before that the Batushka officiates it at the church. 

Tatiana to V. I. Chebotareva

Tobolsk.  Former Governor’s House.  9 December 1917

Here it is all quiet and peaceful, thank God. There is a feeling here as if we are living on some far away island and that we get the news from another world. There are lots of foolish rumors out there in the newspapers kk. [?]  You probably read them, but it is all nonsense.  They even sent us a newspaper clipping, where it tells about my escape to America..!  I hope you did not believe this? I wonder who is wasting time on these idiotic delusions. Probably many people, the workers who benefit the Motherland - right?

[…] I play the piano rather often. Time passes quickly and the days pass by almost unnoticed. The last few days we had frost. It was down to 24, when it is windy it really cuts one's face. Today it is more mild. It is sunny every day. In T.S. this does not happen during these months.

Well, all the best to you my turtledove, Valentina Ivanovna.  May Christ be with you.

Maria to Zinaida Tolstaya

Tobolsk. 10 December

We live quietly, take walks twice a day as usual. The weather is nice, the other day it was very cold. You must still have warm weather? I am so envious that you can look at the wonderful sea! This morning at 8 we went to obednya.   We are always so happy when they let us go to church, of course one cannot compare this church with our Sobor, but still better than in the rooms. Right now we are all sitting in our rooms. The sisters are also writing, the dogs are running around and begging to sit on our laps. I remember Tsarskoe Selo so often, and our merry concerts at the infirmary; do you remember how much fun it was when the wounded used to dance; we also remember our walks to Pavlovsk and Your small carriage, the morning rides past Your house.  It all seems so long ago.

[…] Heartfelt regards to all your family.  Maria.

Nicholas to Anna Vyrubova

19 December, Tobolsk

Thank you so much for your kind wishes on my Name Day.  Our thoughts and prayers are always with you, you poor suffering creature.  Her Majesty reads to us all your lines.  Horrid to think about all you had to go through.  We are alright here.  It is rather quiet.  Pity you are not with us.  Endless kisses and blessings from your loving friend, N.  give my best love to your parents.

Alexandra to Isa Buxhoeveden

25 December

A blessed Xmas to you, Isa dearest!  And a loving wish and kiss. Above all, I wish for God to give you good health, peace of mind "dushevny mir" [“peace in the soul”], which is the greatest gift. We can ask for patience, which we all need in this world of suffering (and utter madness), consolation, strength and happiness. "A Joyful Xmas" may sound like mockery, but it means joy over the New-born King, who died to save us all, and does not that renew one's trust and faith in God's infinite mercy?

Nicholas diary

31st December/13th January, Sunday

Not a cold day, with gusty wind. Toward the evening, Alexei got up. He was able to put on his boot. After tea we separated, till the arrival of the New Year. Lord, save Russia.

1918

Olga to Lili Dehn

Tobolsk, 1st January 1917 [sic]

[Olga writes 1917 on the first day of 1918 – who hasn’t done that!??]

Jimmy [Anastasia’s pet Pekinese] lives in our room, but Ortipo is separate, one is enough, and there are four of us too. Rubella is gone, but we still cannot go outside, neither Maria, nor I. Anastasia is healthy for now. Our Christmas tree is still standing in the corner of the hall and smells wonderful, and does not drop needles at all.

Yesterday at three in the afternoon we had a service, and today at 8 o'cl. we all went to Blagoveschenskaya church for obednya. We go there all the time, as it is the closest church, just walk through the city garden.  It is scary to think that we have lived here for almost five months, and don't know even one street, and in general have not seen anything past the fence. We are hoping very much that one day we will be able to get to the cathedral to [see] the relics of saints. We made a hill in the garden, not very high, and sometimes ski down.

[…] Today there was procession of the cross, saw masses of people returning with fir branches in their hands. In the evenings Papa reads aloud, and we play cards. Well, I will end. Everyone sends regards and kisses. I embrace you affectionately and firmly, my dear;  remember and love you. May the Lord keep you +

Your Olga.

Nicholas diary

6 January. Epiphany

At 8 o'clock went to obednya, instead of a shine [military coat], I wore an overcoat.  The daughters all recovered but do not go outside. The weather was holiday-like, sunny, quiet. In the morning sat with the guards for a long time and had a heart-to heart talk] with them. Unfortunately, could not see the Cross procession to the Irtysh due to the surrounding buildings [blocking it].

Tatiana to V. I. Chebotareva

8 January 1918

Did you get my letter from 9/XII with the enclosed letter for our Prince Eristov?  Mama also asks if you got it?Write to her, she will be happy. Enclose it with my letter and I will pass it on to her. Address it simply to the "Head of the Guards," and it will be forwarded to me when they see who the addressee is. I remember you often. I finally got a letter from Bibi. There was nothing from her for so terribly long. We heard about what Vera Ignatievna has turned into, and how she is walking around. How fast people change - it is even funny! Have you seen her, or was she hiding? How are you and Alusha. Is Grisha with you, and where is L.F. and her husband?

Do you remember when I met Grisha on the telephone last year when you were ill - and then finally saw him in real life? It all seems so long ago! We already had the chance to get sick with rubella during three days of the new year, everyone except Anastasia. Awfully foolish- but luckily it went away fast. I already walk outside. Well goodbye, sweet Valentina Ivanovna. May Christ be with you. I kiss you affectionately and remember you. Yours, Sister Tatiana.

Tatiana to Rita Khitrovo

11 January 1918

But happily they are still wearing the crosses. Just think - a man shed his blood for the motherland, and got an award, got a rank for good service - and now what? Those who served for many years are now equal to the new ones, who never even fought in a war. So incredibly honest and smart, isn't it? So painful and sad, what they are doing to our poor Motherland, but there is one hope, that God will not leave us and make these madmen see reason. So there. Everything is the same with us. We work in the yard. When they bring wood, we pile it in the shed (built especially for this).

[…]

We built a small [snow] hill, even with the fence, and it seems that when we climb on top of it, we can be seen, which apparently many [people] do not like, which probably means that soon they will forbid us to slide down on it!!! We have not yet received Zinochka's parcels - hopefully they will arrive. We heard that Pokrovsky (do you remember him?) revealed himself exactly as we all thought of him! What a disgrace! Wherever there is advantage - that's where he goes.

- If you see Katya, Nina and her husband, send them a kiss and regards. Have you seen R.[odionov] and how is poor D. feeling? Did he have surgery? Well, all the best. May the Lord keep you. I kiss you affectionately, like I love you. Regards to Zinochka's [family].

Tatiana

Alexei to Anna Vyrubova

12 January.

My darling Anya. We are so glad to have news from you, and to hear that you got all our things.  Today it is 29 degrees of frost, strong wind and sunshine. We walked, and I walked on skis in the yard. Yesterday I acted in a French piece with Tatiana and Zhilik. We are now preparing another piece. We have a few good soldiers with whom I play games in their rooms. Kolya Derevenko comes to visit me on  holidays. Nagorny the sailor sleeps with me. As servants we have Volkov, Sednev, Trupp and Chemodurov. It is time to go to breakfast. I kiss and embrace vou. God bless you.

Alexei

Nicholas diary

14th January

[…] Before dinner presented our play for real. The actors in "Les Deux Timides" were:

Tatiana - Annette.

Anastasia - Cecile.

Valya D. - Garadoux.

M. Gilliard - Fremissin.

Me - Thibaudier.

We were aware that it went smoothly and briskly. In the evening, bezique and reading aloud as usual.

Alexandra to Rita Khitrovo

21st Jan. 1918 Tobolsk [***]

[*** the backwards swastika is an ancient symbol for luck and eternal life, which Alexandra often used]

My darling big, although also little, Rita! Thank You from the bottom of my soul for your dear letter. We are so touched that You all remember us and sent [us] the perfume, etc. The first package got here just fine.  Please thank M-me Kadbish for the icons and the rosary, which were sent [to us] now and [back] in the autumn. It makes one so happy when one feels that one is not forgotten by others.

Darling, really, do not lose courage - the worse things get, the closer God is, with His earnest assistance. Believe in Him fervently and unshakably. He will save our dear much-suffering motherland. He is patient and forgiving, He will not stay eternally angry, but [we] must pray more, be resigned, obedient - and wait patiently. God has storms and [also] sunny weather; the clouds will pass - and the beautiful "Sunny" will come out.

- So much sun we see here, and it warms us so. - Take a look at nature, understand it with your very soul, and She (nature| will tell you so much, and [it will] comfort you.

 Such horrors, what's happening all over, my soul is mourning for all these innocent victims, but He knows best, why this is necessary. His ways are unknown to us - we only know that all paths lead to Him.

- Life is a difficult school, thorny, but for that we will get peace and calm and pleasure there - one's soul longs for that place. And the Lord will hear the prayers of those who already reached that other place.

For others we mourn - then fervently pray and give them over into His hands, and He will keep them safe.

He gives strength and comfort and peace of mind. You know, all this will be over, and when we feel that all this is ending, then He will show us his endless love and mercy.

Alexandra to Boris Solovyov

24 January

[Solovyov is the son-in-law of Rasputin – married Rasputin’s daughter Maria (Matryona/Matryosha)]

I see by your tradesman's clothing that contact with us is not sale. I am grateful to God for the fulfillment of Father's and My personal wish: you are Matryosha's husband: May God bless your marriage and send you both happiness. I believe that you will protect Matryosha and guard her against evil people in an evil time. Let me know what you think about our situation. Our common wish is to achieve the possibility of living tranquilly, like an ordinary family, outside of politics, struggle, and intrigues. Write frankly, for I will accept your letter with faith in your sincerity. I am especially glad that it is you who has come to us. Get to know Father Vasiliev without fail - this is a person deeply devoted to us. And how long do you intend to stay here? Warn us beforehand of your departure.

[Solovyov turned out to be a treacherous scumbag]

Tatiana to Pyotr Petrov

26 January, 1918

Hello, sweet Pyotr Vasilievich, Thank you very much for your two letters. I was very touched that you wrote so much. We are in good health, thank God, live as quietly as before, and strangely enough so far none of us has fought with anyone else. In the morning we have lessons for two hours, from 9 to 11, walk for an hour, and study for another hour. After lunch we walk again—usually until 4, and if the weather is nice, then longer. Before tea, we work or occupy ourselves for a while with something. After tea and before supper there are often rehearsals for some play. We have already put on three. 

Tatiana to V. I. Chebotareva

31 January 1918

Where is Grisha now, and L.'s husband? How do you spend your days? Where is Olya Ger. now, who always lived in Pavlovsk. We are fine here. Everything is the same. - The weather is nice enough, sometimes it is cold. Unfortunately, we don't get to go to church. Sometimes have vsenoshnaya and obednitsa at home.  Of course, that cannot substitute church, wh. we miss a lot, as we wish to pray in church more than ever. I feel sad for those who do not understand this.

- Address all the letters directly to my name. It is more reliable and gets here faster. I wish you all the best, sweet Valentina Ivanovna. May Christ be with you. I kiss you the way that I love you.

Nicholas diary

19th Feb. Monday

Reading "Anna Karenina" with great interest. Today got a letter from Ksenia. It snowed most of the day. Chopped wood in the shed - it's drier there.

Maria to ?

22 February/7 March. Tobolsk

In the evenings we get together to work or play cards - bridge or some other games, though I am particularly interested in [card games]. Papa reads out loud. Pretty often, when all 4 of us get together in a proper mood we sing various nice songs. This always ends up with us loudly imitating zurna [a musical instrument] sounds. Some of us knock against the door or any other object that catches our eye in order to produce more noise [...] and create raucous that can be heard almost all over the house.

Tatiana to Ksenia Alexandrovna

26 February, 1918

Well, in general these are all trifles, but one feels sorry for the poor people, whom we were able to help before, and many others, and now this is impossible.

Tatiana to Rita Khitrovo

27 February, 1918

We have not had any news from Veta, I do not know where she is. - Our hair is big - like in my photos after the typhus, with a ribbon in it, do you remember? It is growing a lot faster than back then, I think first of all because we shaved it twice, and then we almost never wore wigs, it was much more pleasant this time. Back then it was embarrassing because it was just me, and now it's all 4 of us together. Oh, how I would love to see the sea, even with one eye! - We had almost spring-like weather here for a few days - it was so wonderful, but these last two days it is windy and cold. We remember you all often. Send heartfelt regards to N. D. from all of us.  I hope he is feeling better. Write again, Rita darling. […] May the Lord keep you.

[Many people died from typhus during WWII, including some jews – one of them being Anne Frank whose father later exploited her death to concoct the fake ‘Anne Frank’s Diary’]

Nicholas diary

2/15 March. Friday

Remembering these days last year in Pskov and on the train! How much longer will our poor motherland be tormented and pulled apart by external and internal enemies? Sometimes it seems that there is no more strength to take this, I don't even know what to hope or wish for? Nevertheless, there is no one like God! May His holy will be served!

Anastasia to Ksenia Alexandrovna

Tobolsk 8/21 March 1918

Well, they seem to have calmed down about it now because it was an eyesore for many for some time. It's truly foolish and pathetic. Well, we found new things to do. We saw, chop and split firewood and this is a useful and enjoyable task. We are already quite good at it. By doing this we help many and for us it is a pastime. We clear the paths and the porch - we've become custodians! I have not yet turned into an elephant, though I might yet very soon. I really don't know all of a sudden - maybe it's too little exercise, though I don't know. Please forgive my shocking handwriting - my hand moves something dreadful.

We're all fasting this week and sing (hymns) by ourselves at home. Finally, we were able to go to church! And we can have communion there. Well, how are you all, and how are you all getting on?

Alexandra diary

12 (25) March. Monday. 2nd week of Great Lent

 9-10 Tatiana: Spiritual Readings. 10-11. Maria: The Ray of Spirit. Painted. 12-1. Alexei: Evangelist Luke 4, Meditations on Divine Liturgy. 1:00 Lunched with Baby. Sat on the balcony - Saw my ex-Crimean Markov pass & Shtein too - 4:30 tea. 5:30-7:30. Looked through money with Tatiana and Zhilik. 8:00. Dined with Alexei.  Nicholas read to us. Mme. Syroboiarskaia No: 28.

Alexandra to Anna Vyrubova

13 March

Peace and yet the Germans continue to advance farther and farther in. When will it all end?  When God allows it. How I love my country, with all its faults. It grows dearer and dearer to me, and I thank God daily that He allowed us to remain here and did not send us farther away. Believe in the people, darling. The nation is strong, and young, and as soft as wax. Just now it is in bad hands, and darkness and anarchy reigns. But the King of Glory will come and will save, strengthen, and give wisdom to the people who are now deceived.

Olga to Rita Khitrovo

Tobolsk 16 March, 1918

In general, all is the same. I have not heard from Katya in a long time. There are so many disgusting things written in the newspapers, that I am afraid it is not very peaceful. In the evening tonight there will be a vsenoshnaya.[…] Everyone is busy learning various comedy plays: English and French.

[…]

Golub with his wife are in Petrograd.  Babochkin’s sister saw her, and she said that Al. Vlad. writes from Vladivostok often. She studies English. He had surgery, now is recovered. Boglanov wrote to Evg. Serg. from Moscow from the infirmary, they are starving terribly. So many revolting things one hears, it is unnerving even, but I still firmly believe that the Lord will help somehow. Right now full demobilization is in process, and they are leaving from here too. I feel pity for the old ones, as they are settled.

Nicholas diary

30 March. Friday

Another day, another surprise!

Today Kobylinsky brought the instructions paper he received from Central Executive Committee in Moscow yesterday, which stated that everyone residing in that house (Kornilov] will be moved to our place, and consider us all arrested again, like in T.S. Immediately the moving of house maids started from one room downstairs to another, in order to make room for new arrivals. Alexei has a pain in the groin from coughing, and he stayed in bed all day.

31 March, Saturday

Took a long walk. Clothes and furniture from Kornilov house was dragged over before breakfast, the residents settled into the new place. At 8.45 we had a vsenoshnaya.

1 April. Sunday

Today the team committee decided that according to instructions in that paper from Moscow, the people who are residing in our house are no longer allowed to go outside either, that is into town.

Therefore, the entire day there was talk about how to fit them into this already crowded house, as several people were supposed to move in. All this is being done in such a hurry due to the arrival shortly of the new detachment with a commissar who is bringing instructions.

Tatiana to Zinaida Tolstaya

Tobolsk. 3 April, 1918 [Easter]

 Christ Is Risen! We all send you and the others our best wishes for Holy Easter. We hope you are all healthy and everything is going well.  T.

Nicholas diary

4 April, Wednesday

The weather was grey, mild, around 4 o’cl the sun came out.  In the morning I walked for an hour, and in the afternoon I took a walk and sawed wood for two hours.  Alexei feels better, but he is tired of lying in the same position; fever, like yesterday is not high – 38.4°.  Vl. Nikol. Derevenko [the family doctor] feels that this type of temperature is necessary, as it aids in the resorption of the inflammation.

Olga to Rita Khitrovo

5th April 1918

I can only imagine what you lived through, my poor ones. And how is it now? I don't know if you heard that our poor Gubar., and also Sasha Dum. and little Kablukov were killed. Horrible stuff. Everyone from Ai-Todor moved to Dulber, [they] are well. The letters now take a long time. For now P. Kob. receives letters for us, but soon some sort of a commissar will arrive and then we don't know how it will be.

Whatever God sends - since all comes from Him, and no matter how hard it is, then it is because it's necessary for some reason. - Now it is unclear, but later we will understand.

I wait impatiently for another letter. Oh yes, about the violets, and little rock, everyone is very grateful. We put it into the Bible. I kiss my darling firmly one more time.

Your Olga.

Nicholas diary

6 April Friday

Today Alexei suffered more and did not sleep much.  The day was excellent; around 5 o’cl a spring rain passed.  I finished history of England by Green Ann [sic] started the novels by Vsev. Soloviov.

8 April Sunday

Twenty fourth anniversary of our engagement! The day stayed sunny, with a cold wind, all snow melted. At 11 ½ there was an obednitsa. After that Kobylinsky showed me the telegram from Moscow, which confirmed the decision of the detachment committee to take off mine and Alexei's epaulets.

Therefore, I decided not to wear them for the walks, and only wear them at home. I will never forget this kind of beastliness! Worked in the garden for two hours. In the 3 evening we read aloud "Volkhvy" - also by Vsevolod Soloviov.

9 April Monday

Found out about the arrival of the extraordinary authorized (Commissar “Extraordinaire”] Yakovlev [he transferred Nicholas, Alexandra and Maria from Tobolsk to Ekaterinburg] from Moscow; he settled in Kornilov house. The children imagined that he will come today to do a search, and burned all letters, and Maria and Anastasia even burned their diaries. The weather was revolting, cold with wet snow. Alexei felt better and even slept for two-three hours during the day.

12 April. Thursday

After breakfast Yakovlev came over with Kobylinsky and announced that he received an order to take me away, without saying where? Alix decided to go with me and take Maria; it was useless to protest. To leave the other children with Alexei - ill under current circumstances - it was more than difficult! Immediately we started to pack the most necessary things. Then Yakovlev said that he will return for O., T., An. And A., and that most likely we will see them in three weeks or so. We spent a sad evening, of course no one slept that night.

Alexandra diary

Tobolsk. 12/25 April. Thursday

Baby had a better night 36°. 9:00-10:00 Anastasia: Isaiah 38-42. Sat with Baby. Played cards & worked. 12: 15-1:00 Maria: J. Sirach 18-26. After luncheon the Com. Yakovlev came as I wanted to arrange about the walk to Church for Passion Week. Instead of that he announced by the order of his government (Bolsheviks) that he has to take us all away (to where?)  Seeing as Baby is too ill wished to take Nicholas alone (if not willing then obliged to use force) I had to decide to stay with ill Baby or accompany him. Settled to accompany him as can be of more need & too risky not knowing where & for what. (we imagine Moscow) Horrible suffering. Marie comes with us, Olga will look after Baby,

Pierre Gilliard Memoirs

A bit before 3 o'clock, walking down the hallway I ran into two lackeys who were sobbing. They told me that Yakovlev arrived to announce to the Sovereign that he is being taken away. What is going on? I did not dare go upstairs without being asked and returned to my room. A minute later, Tatiana Nikolaevna knocked on my door. She was in tears and said that Her Majesty is asking me to go to him. I follow her. She [the Empress] confirms that Yakovlev was sent from Moscow in order take the Sovereign away, and that the departure will take place this night: [Alexandra:] "The Commissar promises that nothing bad will happen to the Sovereign, and that if anyone wishes to accompany him, there will be no objections. I cannot allow the Sovereign to go alone. They want to separate him from me, like last time, and push him into [doing] something bad, causing him to feel anxiety for the lives of his dear ones... The Tsar is necessary to them; they know very well that he alone represents Russia... together we will be able to resist more strongly, and I must be next to him during this trial... But the boy is still so ill... what if there are complications... My God, what awful torture!... For the first time in my life I do not know what to do. Every time I had to make a decision, I always felt that the answer would be give to me from above, and now I feel nothing.  But God will not allow this departure, it cannot, it must not happen.  I am convinced that this night there will be an ice drift …  “

[…]

In the evening, at 10 ½ clock we went upstairs to have tea. The Empress sat on the sofa, with her were two daughters. They cried so much that their faces were swollen. We all hid our torment and tried to appear calm. We all had a feeling that if one of us breaks down, the rest will break too.

Sovereign and Empress were serious and focused. It was apparent that they were willing to sacrifice everything, including their lives, if the Lord, in His inscrutable ways, would demand this to save the nation. Never before had they shown us more kindness and caring... At eleven and a half o'clock, the servants gather in the large hall. Their Majesties and Maria Nikolaevna are saying goodbye to them. The Sovereign embraces and kisses all the men, the Empress - all women. Almost everyone is crying. Their Majesties leave; we all go downstairs to my room. 

Anastasia to Nicholas

Tobolsk. 12th / 25th April, 1918

My dear Papa! May the Lord and all Saints protect You, my dear and beloved Papa. In our thoughts and prayers, we are always with You. I cannot even imagine how we can be without You. I believe and hope that the Lord will help us all. Good night my precious and wonderful Papa. I kiss you a thousand times, strongly, strongly as strong as my love is for you. May the Lord be with You and bless You, darling. Your loyal and devoted Shvybz/Anastasia

Olga to Nicholas

Tobolsk, 12th April 1918

My dear Papa!  May the Lord protect You, bless You and have pity on you, my dear, beloved Papa. Do not worry about Alexei. I cannot express to You how painful it is [...]. but the Lord knows the reasons why we are going through all of this. I kiss you and I love you as much as I can, my angel, my Papa.

Your Olga

Nicholas diary

14 April

[…] In the village of Pokrovskoe there was change of horses, we stood for a long time just across from Grigori's [Rasputin’s] house and saw his entire family, who were looking out of the windows.

Alexandra diary

14(27) April. Saturday

Got up at 4, had tea, packed up, crossed the river at 5 on foot on planks & then on a ferry. Waited ages before driving off, 7: 15. (Com. fidgety, runing (sic] about, telegraphing). - Lovely weather, road atrocious. Changes horses, again 6 times, & our horsemen oftener, as both days the same men. About 12, got to Pokrovskoe, changed horses, stood long before our Friend's house, saw his family & friends looking out of the window. At village Borki took tea & our provisions in a nice peasant's house. Leaving the village, suddenly saw Sedov in the street! - Changed our carriage once. Again all sorts of incidents, but less than yesterday, Stopped in a village school, drank tea with our soldiers. 

Nicholas diary

15 April. Sunday

Everyone got substantial sleep. By the names of stations we guessed that we are heading towards Omsk. Started to try guessing, where will they take us after Omsk? To Moscow or Vladivostok? The commissars of course, did not say anything. Maria went to see the sharpshooters often - their compartment was at the end of the car, here there were four, the rest in the next car. Had dinner at the stop, at Vagai station at 11 o'cl., very tasty. At the stations we closed the curtains, as there were a lot of crowds due to the holiday (Palm Sunday).  After some cold snacks with tea, we went to bed early.

Olga to Alexandra

15/27 April. Tobolsk. Palm Sunday, 1918

Mama, dear Mama, tenderly beloved! We hug the three of you tightly. We kiss you fervently and we are with you, with all our hearts and souls. May the Lord protect you. Here, for the moment everything is fine, thank God. The Little One's temperature is normal and his spirits are good. We stay together and take turns eating with him. We play cards and read episodes of  "Notres a l'etranger" [sic], I mean, Zhilik reads to us in French. Today the weather was summer-like, 13 degrees in the shade and in the sun it was horribly warm and we basked on the roof. Ah! the little one has a cold and coughs like Zhilik. He is not in pain but has a stuffed nose, just like when you were here. 

Tobolsk, 16th /28th April, 1918

I continue writing to you this Monday, before the service. We intend to take the Little One to your bedroom to hear the service, and then we will take him to Papa's study. In the evening! prayed with him and blessed him, in your absence. Mama, you are our joy and light. Today was warmer than yesterday and the windows are wide open.  Yesterday evening the two of us with Trina and the general, played bridge in Nastenka's room, while Nastenka and Shvybz played bezique taking turns with llyusha. We had the evening tea in the dining room.

[…]

For the moment, they detain everyone as before and do not permit even those with families to leave, which is foolish and makes no sense.

Nicholas diary

16 April. Monday

In the morning we noticed that we are going back. It turned out that in Omsk, they did not want to let us through! At least we felt freer, even took a walk two times, the first time along the train, and the second - rather far off in the field together with Yakovlev himself. Everyone was in a merry mood.

Alexandra diary

Yekaterinburg. 17/30 April Tuesday

[…] Went to bed at 11.  Weather was glorious, so warm & sunny.  Nicholas read the Bible to us.

Yekaterinburg. 18 April/ 1 May Ipatiev house  Wednesday

Sunny morning again. 25° in the sun.  Remained in bed because of enlarged heart, tired & head ache. 1:15. The others got soup & eggs brought.  I had some good bread. Marie read to me Spiritual Readings.  3:30. Tea, bread & Maltz extract.  Marie read to me, Nicholas sat at his writing table also in our bedroom. Reading & writing. 8:45. tea. Wrote to the children.

Our Commandant is Avdeev (accompanied us from Tobolsk it seems) his aid [sic] Ukraintsev (former soldier was a beater when Misha went shooting near Borzhom.) (as a little boy Olga played with him at Gagri 15 years ago), - he works in a fabric [factory], receives 300 a month, has a large family.

Maria, Alexandra and Nicholas to Anastasia

[Maria]: Ekaterinburg, 18 April/ 1 May.

Christ Is Risen! I send you my greetings for the feast of light, my sweet Anastasia. We arrived here by car after the train. We had breakfast at 4.30 in the dining room.

[…]

We had tea together at 9.30 in the evening. After that we rested a little; we set cots up ourselves and went to bed at 11 o'clock. Papa read to us, the Gospel of the week. Mama teased Mashka, imitating, with success, Pankratov's enthusiasm, but despite all of that, everything again is "a little depressing".

Olga to Alexandra

Tobolsk, Thursday, 19^th April/2^nd May, 1918

Mama, my little soul, now it feels so empty here. Yesterday we received a letter and a small package from Zina. As always, she writes very nicely. In the package there was a candle from the tomb of Christ, a cake, two colored eggs and marmalade. For you, a napkin and a bookmark from her daughter. We received 3 letters from Rita. There is one also for you. They sent us all their best wishes.

Kupov wrote. He saw Mitya and Boris in Petrograd [and they] also send their greetings. Djour wrote - he left with his division, because after the peace treaty he could not stay here, but he does not say where they went. Lubasha's mother also wrote. Nik. Dm. works as an assistant to her husband. He lost weight - on a diet. He did not have the surgery yet. He sees Rita very often, etc.  He is very kind.  Today I will write to my godmother.

Nicholas diary

19 April. Great Thursday [Maundy Thursday]

The day remained excellent, windy, dust flew around the entire city, the sun burned through the windows. In the morning I read to Alix the book "La Sagesse et la Destinee" [by] Materlinck. Later continued reading the Bible.

[…]

Hearing the bells tolling made one sad to think that it is Passion [week] and we do not have the chance to be at these wonderful services, and besides we cannot even fast. Before tea I had the joy of taking a thorough bath. Had supper at 9 o'cl. In the evening, all of us residents of the four rooms gathered in the hall, where Botkin and I took turns reading the 12 Gospels, after which we went to bed.

Olga to Alexandra

20 April/3 May, 1918 [Tobolsk]

Yesterday the Little One had pain in the legs all day and was gloomy and nothing would distract him. During the service he followed the reading of the Twelve Gospels and was very happy. Today he is in good spirits and there is no pain. He continues to cough but his stuffed nose is much better.

Alexandra diary

21 April/4 May. Great and Holy Saturday

2°. Slightly snowing. Wrote to the children 8th time. Nicholas read to us Gospel & book. 1:40. Brought their luncheon.

Nicholas had a bath. 2:00. Sednyov cooked vermicelli again for me. 3:00. Had a bath. Niuta too. Lay down again.  Wrote to the children, the others went out for 20 min. 5:30. Tea. Nicholas read to us. Arrayed our images on table. 8:20. Priest & Deacon came & served matins - soldiers of the guard came too. - 9:00. Dined. 10:00. Went to bed. - Marie read to me.

Alexandra diary

Yekaterinburg. 22 April/5 May. Pascha. Sunday.

 3°. Marie read to me Spir. Readings, & Nicholas the Gospel & French book. 1:00. Sednyov prepared us luncheon warmed up yesterday's food, I was up too & then lay down again. Wrote to the children. The others walked a little. Had coco. Nicholas read "Small in the Great" to us. 5:00. Tea - sun came out. Nicholas read the evening's Gospel to us. 8:00. Supper, I had it with them.  We sat in Yevgeny Sergeevich's room for an hour. -4°.  Talked with Ukraintsev. Early to bed again.

Anastasia to Maria

24 April/ 7 May. Tobolsk

Indeed He Is Risen! My dear sweet Mashka. We were so terribly happy to get the news [from you] and shared our impressions. I apologize for writing crookedly on the paper, but this is just my foolishness. What we received from An.Pav. was very sweet; [sends] regards, etc., to you. How are you all? Sashka and so on? You see, of course that there is always a massive number of rumors; well and you sometimes understand how hard it is and one doesn't know whom to believe and sometimes it's all so disgusting! As they only tell us half of it, but not the rest, and that's why we think he is lying. Ks. Mikh. [sic] Bitner comes and spends time with the Little One.

[…]

I tanned more deeply than anyone else, a regular Arab woman! But these days I am boring and not pretty. It's cold, and this morning we froze, although we were inside, of course, and didn't go out. I very much apologize: I forgot to extend good wishes to all you dear ones for the holiday; I kiss you all not thrice but lots of times. My dear, all of us thank you for the letters. 

[…]

The sun came out but it's cold and my hand can barely write. Your regards were transmitted to us word for word, and we send you big thanks and the same. In the evenings we sit around; yesterday we read fortunes using the book. You know which one. Sometimes we work. We do everything they ask. A kiss to you, and to your dear ones.

[…]

[?] although sweet, is strange and makes one angry, for she doesn't understand and simply can't bear it. Once I was almost rude, a real cretin. Well, it looks like I have written enough foolishness. Right now, I will write some more, and then I will read it later, during free time, that is. For now, good-bye. I wish you the best, happiness, and all good things. We constantly pray for you and think, Help us Lord. Christ be with you, precious ones. I embrace all of you tightly and kiss you.

Olga, Tatiana and Anastasia to Alexandra

25 April/8 May.

[Olga]:

Since the arrival of the letters, I received nothing from his mother and we cannot expect anything from anywhere, because communications are disrupted. We learned of the death of Prince Finikin in Dulber, the poor man! News from elsewhere is no longer received.

Rumours circulate that the Germans occupied Crimea - what horror!! Mama, little soul. Everything is well in the room, for the moment. There are plenty of various green plants, the altar doors are opened all the time and the balsamic fir trees smell very nicely. We will finally learn how to close the doors. We always fear that Joy, Ortipo and Jim may get into "hot water".

[Tatiana]:

For the moment we learned have not had letters from Serafima, but we learned that she received ours and thanks us. Mama, my dear little soul, we are very lonesome without you and we torment ourselves with the thoughts that we do not know how you are doing. I pray a lot for you so that God will come to help you all, our dear angels. Do you have books to read or should we send some to you?! I read the book sent by Zina. It is very interesting and educational. It is a gift and we will take it with us. I hope that the sugar was useful. How do you receive fresh supplies? Can we bring something that you need or are you able to buy yourselves? We think about you all the time and talk about you. In fact, we cannot even imagine how you live nor what you do. For you it is ease because von know how we live.  I hope Mama, little soul, that you have no difficulty deciphering my charming handwriting which you love so much!!  […] Now goodbye may Christ protect you from all evil++++.  I kiss you my beloved dear ones as much as I love you.  I miss you.

Your daughter who loves you very much, Tatiana.

[Anastasia]

You are constantly in our thoughts, our precious ones, and we pray for you. May the Lord and loann of Tobolsk protect you all. Good night, I kiss you three very affectionately my dear ones, how I love you ++++. May the Lord come to your aid. Your faithful A. My good thoughts to everyone.

Alexandra diary

Yekaterinburg. 25 April/8 May. Wednesday. 5°.

Sunshine and strong wind. Nicholas as daily read the Gospel to us & then "Great in the Small". 1:15. Had Sednyov: (sic] excellent vermic. & bread & butter. 1:30. Lunch was brought to the others. Snowed a little. Wrote to the children. Lay with shut eyes as head continues to ache. 4:00-5:00. The others walked in the sunshine. Marie read to me after tea. 8:15. Supped - got first wire from children. Played bezique. Cannot get them to tell us anything about Valia.

Maria and Alexandra to Tobolsk

Ekaterinburg, 27th April/10th May, 1918

[Maria]: Yesterday we went for a walk, like every day, till tea time. The sun was very warm, just like in Tobolsk, and in the evening, it penetrated the window of the second floor. We hope Kolya comes to play with you.

[Alexandra]: Papa reads to us a lot, Maria draws near the window and I rest lying down, as I always have a painful headache. Towards the evening, it is better and we stay in E.S [Botkin]'s room, playing bezique, Japanese duraki, or kabbala.  Today i.e. two weeks since ewe left my dear ones.  May God allow us to reunite soon.  May Christ be with you. 

Maria and Alexandra to Tolbolsk

28 April/11 May, 1918

Good morning my dears.  We just got up and kindled the fireplace, as it was very cold in the rooms. The wood is crackling cozily, reminds me of a freezing day in Tobolsk. Today we gave our dirty laundry to a washing woman. Nyuta also became a washer woman, washed Mama's kerchief, very well, and the dust rags. For a few days now, our guards are Latvians. It's probably not cozy for you, everything is packed. Did you pack my things, if you have not packed the book for births, then please ask N.T. to write. If it does not pan out, that is fine. Now you will probably be arriving soon. We don't know anything about you, really waiting for a letter. I continue drawing everything from Bern’s book.

Nicholas diary

1st May. Tuesday

We were overjoyed by the letters received from Tobolsk; I got one from Tatiana. We read each other's letters all morning. The weather was wonderful, warm. The guard was changed at noon, from the ranks of the same special frontier team – Russians and Latvians

2 May. Wednesday

The application of "prisoner" schedule continued and expressed itself in that an old housepainter had painted over all our windows in all the rooms with lime. It started to seem like fog beyond the windows. Went to take a walk at 3 ½ and at 4.10 they chased us inside. There was not one extra soldier in the garden. The head guard did not speak to us once all this time one of the commissars was in the garden watching us … 

Alexandra diary

Yekaterinburg. 3/16 May. Thursday

They smeared over the thermometer: so can't see temp; seems fine weather... Received coffee & chocolate from Ella. She has been sent out from Moscow & is at Perm (we read in the papers.)

Maria to Elizaveta Feodorovna [Ella, Alexandra’s sister]

5 May 1918. Ekaterinburg

He Is Risen Indeed! We kiss you dearest, three times. Thank you very much for the eggs, chocolate, coffee. Mama drank her first cup of coffee with great pleasure, it was very good. It's very good for her headaches, and as it happens, we had not taken any with us. We learned from the newspapers that you have been sent away from your convent and were very sad for you. It is strange that we should all end up in the same province under arrest.

[both Maria and Elizaveta were soon to be martyred]

We hope that you will be able to spend the summer somewhere out of town, in Verkhoturie or in some monastery. We have so missed having a church. My address: Ekaterinburg, The Regional Executive Committee, To the Chairman for transmission to me. May God keep you + Your loving granddaughter

Nicholas diary

6 May. Sunday

I lived to 50 years, it seems strange even to me! The weather stayed wonderful, as if custom ordered. At 11 ½ the same Batushka with the deacon conducted moleben, which was very nice. Took a walk with Maria before dinner. In the afternoon sat in the garden for an hour and a quarter, basked in the warm sun. We do not get any news from the children and started to doubt, had they left Tobolsk?

8 May. Tuesday

In the morning we heard thunder; outside of the city a thunderstorm passed, but we had a few downpours. I read until dinner, the 4th part of “War and Peace", which I wasn't familiar with before.

Took a walk with Maria. Avdeyev offered for us to look at two rooms near the dining room; the guard is now located in the cellar. Waited for our dinner and supper for over a half hour. Got a congratulatory telegram from Olga for 6th May.

9 May. Wednesday

A semi-clear day with some rain.  Both Maria and I got into reading "War and Peace", and before tea enjoyed trick-track. Took an hour long walk.  We still do not know where the children are and when will they all arrive? Tiresome unknown!

10 May. Thursday

In the morning they announced during one hour that the children are a few hours from the city, then that they arrived at the station, and finally, that they arrived at the house, although their train stood here at 2 in the morning! Tremendous joy to see them again and embrace them after four weeks of separation and uncertainty. Mutual questions and answers were endless. Very few letters got to them and from them. They lived through a lot of emotional suffering, in Tobolsk as well as during the three days of travel. Snow fell overnight and stayed all day. Of all those who arrived with them, only the cook Kharitonov and Sednev's nephew were allowed to join us. In the afternoon we went out into the garden for about 20 minutes - it was cold and desperately muddy.

Alexandra diary

Yekaterinburg. 10/23 May. 1°, Thursday

All covered in snow. 4 weeks we left Tobolsk. - Towards 11 the girls  suddenly turned up with Aleksei - thank God - such joy to have them again. Nobody else let in all day except for the cook Kharitonov & boy Sednyov, - only hand luggage brought - no news about the rest... Put Baby into Marie's bed, & arranged the 4 girls on cloaks & cushions on the floor in the adjoining room.  Kharitonov on short sofa, Sednyov on two chairs, - after night Baby woke up every hour from pain in his knee, slipped & hurt it when getting into bed. - Cannot walk yet, one carries him. Lost 14 pounds since his illness.

Nicholas diary

11 May. Friday

Since morning we waited for our people from Tobolsk to be let in and for the delivery of the rest of our luggage. Decided to let my old man Chemodurov go for a rest and temporarily take in Trupp. They only allowed him and Nagorny to enter in the evening and questioned and searched them in the commandant's room for an hour and a half. Although we all sat in the bedroom together, I was reading a lot; started "Unfinished novel" by Apukhtin.

12 May. Saturday

Everyone slept well, except Alexei, who was moved to his own room yesterday. He continues to have terrible pains, which alleviate periodically. The weather was completely appropriate for our mood,  wet snow with 3° of warmth.

Testimony of Ipatiev house guard Yakimov

So, we were guarding Tsar Nicholas Alexandrovich with his family. All lived at the Ipatiev house, that is: the Tsar, his wife Alexandra Feodorovna, son Alexei and daughters - Olga, Tatiana, Maria and Anastasia. The non-family members who lived with them were: Doctor Botkin; "lady-in-waiting" as we called her, Demidova; the cook Kharitonov, and lackey Trupp.

Testimony of Ipatiev house guard Strekotin

The emperor always wore the same military khaki uniform…  he was taller than average, thick, fair-haired, with grey eyes, lively and impetuous, he twirled his ginger moustache often. The Tsarevich - Alexei, wore the same uniform as the Tsar in the same colonel rank,(he was brunet, with black unhappy eyes, thin, ill-looking. His severe untreatable illness completely paralyzed both of his legs, apparently even before  the revolution, which was why he was always carried outside by the Tsar himself. He carefully picked him up, pulled him close to his wide chest, and the other would grab his father's thick short neck with his arms, while his thin, whip-like weak legs hung limply.  Two of the daughters were blonde with grey eyes,o f medium height and looked very much alike. They were always together, and both seemed merry and talkative.  The other two young ladies did not look like each other.  One of them – Tatiana [he probably meant Maria], a plump healthy looking brunette.  The other, i.e. the eldest Olga [he probably meant Tatiana] was taller than average, thin, pale faced, ill looking, she did not take a lot of walks in the garden, did not socialize with any of her sisters, mostly stayed near her brother.  The daughters always dressed well, changed dresses often, and accessorized with gold and diamonds.

Nicholas diary

13 May. Sunday.

Slept wonderfully, except Alexei. His pains persist, but with long breaks. He stayed in bed in our room. There was no religious service. The weather was the same, snow on the roofs. As in all the recent days, V.N. Derevenko came to examine Alexei; today a dark gentleman was accompanying him, who we thought was a doctor.  [this turned out to be the new commandant Yakov Yurovsky].  After a short walk we entered the shed where our large baggage was dropped off with commandant Avdeyev. The search of some unopened chests continued. Started to read the works of Saltyko[v-Schedrin] from the bookcase of the owner of the house. In the evening played bezique.

14 May. Monday.

The weather remained warm. I read a lot.  Alexei feels better in general. Took a walk for an hour in the afternoon. After tea, Sednev and Nagorny were called in for questioning at the Regional Soviet. In the evening they continued inspecting the daughters' belongings with them present. The guard outside our window shot at our house, because he thought he saw that someone was moving by the window (after 10 o'cl in the evening) - in my opinion he was just fooling around with the rifle, as guards often do.

Testimony of Ipatiev house guard Yakimov

Ardeyev used to have conversations with his comrades about Rasputin. He used to say that there were a lot of rumours, and frequent newspaper articles, that the Empress slept with Rasputin.

Alexandra diary

14/27 May. Coronation Day. Monday...

Baby had again not a good night, Yevgeny Sergeevich sat up part of the night as to let Nagorny sleep... Baby spent the day in our room, Vladimir Nikolaevich did not come, don't know why.

Testimony of Ipatiev house guard Yakimov

Nothing was left of my ideas about the Tsar which I had before I became a guard. I started to think differently of them after I saw them with my own eyes. I started to feel pity for them as human beings. In my head an idea was born: let them escape; what can I do to allow them to escape. I never told anyone, but I had an idea to talk to the doctor, Derevenko, who used to visit them. But then I was wary of him, thought I don't know what kind of person he is. His face had no expression when he was leaving them, and he never said a word about them. So, I was too wary. Before I got hired as a guard, having not seen or known them, I was also somewhat guilty towards them. Avdeyev and the comrades would be singing revolutionary songs at times, and I would sing along with them a bit. But once I saw what's what, I quit all that, and almost all of us, if not all, used to criticize Avdeyev for that.

Nicholas diary

16 May. Wednesday.

The day was excellent. We took a walk in the morning and in the afternoon warmed ourselves in the sun for a long time. Alexei is feeling better. Vl. Nik. put a cast on him. Had supper at 8 o'cl. in daylight. Alix went to bed early due to a migraine.

Nothing at all about Sednev and Nagorny!

[Sednev and Nagorny by this time had been murdered]

18 May. Friday.

It was raining during the night and during the day too. Started reading the second volume of Saltykov "The Lords Golovlyovs". In the rooms it was grey and tedious. Took a half hour walk. The fence was raised in front of Alexei's windows.

19 May. Saturday.

The weather was grey and warm. I read all morning. Took a walk for an hour and some minutes before tea. Alexei has almost no pains. The greenery is getting there bit by bit. Supper was brought two hours late again - Kharitonov warmed it up for 8 od. played some trick-track with Maria.

Testimony of Father Ioann Storozhev

Near the bed stood an armchair, in which Alexandra Feodorovna sat, wearing a loose dress, of dark lilac colour.  There were no jewels on her at all, and I did not notice any on the daughters either. Alexandra Feodorovna's great height was noticeable, as was her manner of holding herself, the manner that cannot be called anything but "majestic". She sat in an armchair but got up energetically and steadily when we entered and exited, as well as when during the service I preached “peace to all", read the Testament or when we sang the more important prayers.

[…]

As for Alexandra Feodorovna, her appearance was somehow tired, even sickly. I forgot to mention one thing that constantly caught my attention - the special respect to my holy rank with which every member of the Romanov family bowed in response to my silent greeting to them at the exit of the hall after the service ended. The service - obednitsa, we performed in front of the table set up in the center of the room behind the arch. The table was covered with a silk cloth with ancient Russian style design. On the table, in proper order and the usual church symmetry stood numerous icons. There were small, medium and very small folding icons with vestments - all these of unique beauty in their ancient style and workmanship. There were simple icons without vestments, among them I noticed "Our Lady of the Sign” [Znamenie]" / Novgorod, ”It is Truly Meet” icon.

Nicholas diary

20 May. Sunday.

At 11 o'cl there was obednitsa for us; Alexei was there lying in his bed. The weather was marvelous, hot. Took a walk after the service and in the afternoon, before tea. It's intolerable to sit here locked up and be unable to go out into the garden when one wants to, and spend a nice evening in fresh air! Prison regime!

21 May. Monday.

A wonderful warm day. Took a walk twice. Downstairs in the guardroom there was another shot; the commandant came to find out if the bullet went through the floor? Alexei had no pains at all; as usual, he is spending the day in bed in our room. I finished Saltykov's second volume. In the evening we played bezique.

Alexandra diary

23 May/5 June. Wednesday...

Glorious morning. Baby did not sleep well, leg ached probably more because Vladimir Nikolaevich took it yesterday out of the splint wh. held the knee firm. Yevgeny Sergeevich carried him out before the house & put in my wheeling chair && Tatiana & I sat out with him in the sun before the entry [sic| with a pailing erected around ... Are putting yet higher planks before all our windows, so that not even the tops of the trees can be seen - then one will have the double windows taken out & at last we can open the windows. - 4:15. The others went out...

Recollection of Nikolai "Kolya" Derevenko

I was a little boy, just twelve years old. I knew nothing of the evil in people's souls. We were living at the Popov house near the Ipatiev house. In the middle of the summer of 1918, I was afraid and worried for Alexei.  I wanted to see him and at the same time I am sure he wanted to see me too.

Nicholas diary

24 May. Thursday.

All day I was suffering with hemmoroidal pains, therefore lay down on bed, as it vas more convenient to make compresses.  Alix and Alexei stayed outside in fresh air for about a half hour, and we did for an hour after them. The weather was wonderful.

25 May. Friday.

Spent the birthday of dear Alix in bed with strong pains in the legs and other places. The next two says I felt better, was able to eat sitting up in a chair.

28 May. Monday.

A very warm day. In the shed where our luggage chests are, they are constantly opening boxes and taking out various objects and provisions from Tobolsk. And all this without any explanation of reasons. All this makes one think that they can very easily take things they like home, and hence they will be lost to us! Disgusting! External relationships have also changed in the last few weeks: the jailers are trying not to speak with us, as if they are uncomfortable, and it seems as if they are anxious or cautious about something. Confusing!

Testimony of Ipatiev house guard Yakimov

When the guards moved into the Ipatiev house, they started to steal the Tsar's belongings. They would often go to the cupboards and take things from there into big bags, which they drove away in automobiles or horses. They brought these things to their houses.

Nicholas Diary

29 May, Tuesday

Dear Tatiana turned 21 years old! 

Since night time a strong wind has been blowing right into the window flap, thanks to which the air in our bedroom finally became clean and rather cool.  We read a lot.

Testimony of Ipatiev house guard Yakimov

I had the chance to see all the members of the family and everyone who lived with them.  I saw them in the house, when they walked by to go to the lavatory or outside walking in the garden.

[…]

The Tsar was no longer young.  His beard had some grey in it.  […] His eyes were nice, kind, as was his entire face.  In general he gave the impression of being a nice person, simple, sincere and talkative.  He looked like he wanted to talk to us.  The Tsaritsa did not seem anything like him.  Her gaze was stern, her figure and manners were those of a proud and haughty woman.

[…]

It seemed that Tatiana was similar to the Tsaritsa.  She also looked stern and proud like her mother.  The rest of the daughters: Olga, Maria and Anastasia did not have any haughtiness.  One could tell my looking at them that they were simple and kind.  The Heir was always ill.  I cannot say anything about him.  The Tsar would carry him out to the wheelchair and in it he was covered by a blanket.

Alexandra diary

31 May /14 June. Ascension of the Lord. Thursday ...

Took Baby into the big room & placed the table with the images. They told us no Priest cld. come as such a big holiday! ... Others told there would be no walk. - Avdeev came and said to pack up as might have to leave any moment. Spent rest of day & the whole evening packing. At midnight Avdeev again came & said we shld not leave before several days. Promised us Sednyov & Nagorny for Sunday, & Vladimir Nikolaevich for the journey.

Nicholas diary

31 May. Ascension.

In the morning we waited for a priest for a long time for a service, in vain; everyone was too busy in different churches. In the afternoon we were not allowed out into the garden for some reason.

Avdeyev came over and talked to Evg. Serg. for a long time. According to him, he and the Regional Soviet are afraid of anarchists' speeches, and therefore it is possible that a quick departure awaits us, most likely to Moscow! He asked us to be ready for departure.

Immediately we started to pack, but quietly, in order not to attract attention of the guard ranks, by special request from Avdeyev. Around 11 o'cl he returned and said that we will remain for another few days. Therefore, we stayed for 1 June as well, like bivouac, without unpacking. The weather was nice; the walk took place as usual, in two shifts. Finally, after supper Avdeyev, looking somewhat merrier, announced to Botkin that the anarchists were seized and that the danger had passed and our train was cancelled! After all these preparations it was even boring! In the evening we played some bezique.

3 June. Sunday.

Again there was no service for us. This whole week I read and today finished history of "Emperor Paul I" by Shilder - very interesting. We keep waiting for Sednev and Nagorny, whom the promised to release today.

[Sednev and Nagorny had already both been executed, unbeknownst to the family]

5 June, Tuesday.

Dear Anastasia turned 17 years old. The heat outside and inside was excessive. I continue reading Saltykov III volumes - entertaining and intelligent. The whole family took a walk before tea.

Alexandra diary

5/18 June.

Anastasia's 17th B.D. Tuesday. Beautiful weather. The Children continued rolling & making bread & now its baking ... Lunched - excellent bread.

Wheeled Baby into the garden & we all sat there for an hour - very hot, nice lilac bushes & small honeysuckle, quite pretty foliage, but as untidy as ever... Kind nuns send now milk & eggs for Aleksei & us & cream.

Nicholas diary

14 June. Thursday.

Our dear Maria turned 19 years old.  The weather was still tropical, 26° in the shade, and 24° in the rooms, it is hard to tolerate! We spent an anxious night and stayed up and dressed... All this happened because the other day, we received two letters, one after the other, in which we were informed that we need to get ready to be kidnapped by some loyal people! But the days passed and nothing happened, and the waiting and uncertainty were very torturous.

Alexandra diary

21 June/4 July Thursday.

[…] Avdeev is being changed% we get a new commandant (who came over to look at Baby’s leg, & another time our rooms) with a young help who seems decent whereas the other vulgar & unpleasant.  All our guard of inside left (probably one found out that they had been steeling [sic] our things out of the shed.) - Both men then made us show all our jewels we had on, & the young one wrote them all down in detail & then they were taken from us (where to, for how long, why?? don't know.)  only left me my two bracelets of U. Leo's wh. I cant take off, & the children 1 bracelet each wh. We gave & can't be removed, neither Nicholas's engagement cld. he get off. — So the others only got out from 6-7. Olga remained with me. They took our kees [sic] wh. one had left us of the boxes in the hall but promised to return them. Very hot, went early to bed as awfully tired & heart ached more.

Nicholas diary

21 June. Thursday.

There was a change of commandants today - during dinner Beloborodov and others came in and announced that instead of Avdeyev, the one whom we mistook for a doctor has been appointed - Yurovsky.  During the day before tea, he and his assistants catalogued the gold jewelry - ours and the children's; the majority (rings, bracelets, etc.) they took with them. They explained that it was because there was an unpleasant incident in our house, mentioned our missing things. So, the suspicion about which I wrote on 28 May had been confirmed.  I feel sorry for Avdeyev, it is not his fault that he was not able to hold back his people from stealing from the chests in the shed.

[Yakov Yurovsky, the last commandant of the Ipatiev House and chief executioner of the Romanovs]

23 June.  Saturday

[…] Yurovsky and his assistant are starting to realize what kind of people surrounded an guarded us, thieving from us.  Not to mention our belongings, they even kept the major part of provisions delivered from the convent.  Only now, after this change did we find out about this, because the entire amount of prpovisions started to end up in our kitchen.

All these days I was reading a lot as usual; today I started VII volume of Saltykov. I really like his novels, short stories and articles. The day was rainy, we took an hour and a half walk and returned home dry.

E. S. Botkin to his brother Alexander

Ekaterinburg, 26 June (9 July), 1918.

I am going to include this letter in full as a Comment.  It is a gem worthy of its own post.

[Dr Botkin started this letter on the date indicated but continued writing it on subsequent days. It is thought that he was writing the letter at midnight of 16-17 July, when he heard the knock on his door, which was why the letter ended abruptly. It was never finished or mailed.]

My dear, good friend Sasha, I am making the last attempt to write a real letter, - at least from here, - although this caveat is completely redundant; I do not think that it is in the cards for me to ever write from anywhere else again, - my voluntary imprisonment here is limited to my existence on this earth. In actuality, I have died - dead to my children, my friends, my work... I have died, but have not been buried yet, or rather was buried alive, - whichever you prefer: the consequences are almost identical, i.e. both one and the other have their negative and positive sides. If I were literally dead, that is to say, anatomically dead, then according to my faith I would know what my children are doing, would be closer to them and undoubtedly more useful than now.  I rest with the dead only civilly, my children may still have hope that we will see each other sometime in this life, while l, other than thinking that I can still be useful to them somehow, do not personally indulge myself with this hope, do not humour myself with illusions, but look directly into the face of unadorned reality.

{see comment or separate post]

Nicholas diary

28 June. Thursday.

In the morning, around 10 ½ o'cl three workers approached the open window, picked up the heavy screen and attached it outside the frame - without any warning from Yurovsky.  We are liking his type less and less!  Started reading VIII volume of Saltykov.

[THE FOLLOWING IS THE VERY LAST DIARY ENTRY WRITTEN BY NICHOLAS]

30 June. Saturday.

Alexei took his first bath since Tobolsk; his knee is getting better, but he still cannot straighten it completely. The weather is warm and pleasant. There is no news at all from outside.

Alexandra diary

30 June / 13 July. Saturday.

Beautiful morning. I spent the day as yesterday lying on the bed, as back aches when move about. Others went out twice. Anastasia remained with me in the afternoon. One says Nagorny & Sednyov have been sent out of this government, instead of giving them back to us. – at 6:30 Baby had his first bath since Tobolsk. He managed to get in & out alone, climbs also alone in & out of bed, but can only stand on one foot as yet. 9:45 I went to bed again. - Rained in the night. Heard three revolver shots in the night.

Testimony of Father Ioann Storozhev

On 30 June/ 13 July I found out that the next day, 1/14 July, on Sunday, f. Meledin had to perform a liturgy at the Ipatiev house, that he already had a warning about this from the commandant, and the commandant at the time was infamously cruel, a certain Yurovsky - former military medic.

[…]

Ahead, behind the arch, already standing were Alexandra Feodorovna with two daughters and Alexei Nikolaevich, who was sitting in a wheelchair, wearing a sailor jacket. He looked pale. Alexandra Feodorovna, wearing a dress, looked livelier than in the past. Olga Nikolaevna, Tatiana Nikolaevna, Maria Nikolaevna and Anastasia Nikolaevna were wearing black skirts and white blouses. Their hair reached their shoulders in the back.

To me, Nicholas Alexandrovich, as well as his daughters, looked exhausted this time.

[…]

Only now do we know what happened to the family history from the testimonies of the eyewitnesses.  But those who performed the service understood with a joint perception of the praying people. As far as deviation from the canon law in following the ritual of obednitsa: singing "at rest with the saints" represented a funeral service for those praying while they were still alive!

How this happened, for what reason - is only known to the Supreme Being, but it happened just prior to the murder of the prisoners of the House of Special Purpose. They had their funeral service. That evening was blessed: it passed in warm sincere conversations.

Alexandra diary

1/14 July. Sunday.

Beautiful summers (sic) morning.

Scarcely slept because of back & legs. 10:30. Had the joy of an obednitsa - the young Priest for the 2nd time.  11:30-12:00. The others walked - Olga [stayed] with me. Spent the day on the bed again. Tatiana stayed with me in the afternoon. Spir. Readings, Book of the Prophet Hosea, ch. 4-14,

2/15 July. Monday.

Marie's B.D.  Greyish morning. later sunshine. Lunched on the couch in the big room, as women came to clean the floors, then lay on my bed again & read with Maria J. Sirach 26-31. They went out twice as usual. In the morning Tatiana read to me Spir. Readings. Still no Vladimir Nikolaevich – at 6:30 Baby had his second bath - Bezique. Went to bed 10:15. – 11 1/4° of warmth at 10:30 evening. Heard the report of an artillery shot in the night & several revolver shots.

Testimony of Ipatiev house guard Yakimov

On 15 July,  Monday, in our barracks at the Popov house the boy who lived with the imperial family appeared, he used to take the Heir around in his wheelchair. It caught my attention then, the other part as noticed it. Nevertheless, no one knew what it meant, why the boy was brought here. But it was undoubtedly done on Yurovksy's orders.

From the report of Yakov Yurovsky

[On] 16 [July) ... A telegram was received from Perm about extermination of the Romanovs, and at 6 o'cl in the evening Filipp Goloschekin signed for it to be enforced. At midnight, a truck for moving the corpses was supposed to arrive. At 6 o'clock, the little cook Sednev was taken away, which really worried the Romanovs and their children. Dr Botkin came over to ask, what brought this on? He was told that the boy's uncle, who was arrested, had escaped, now he has returned and wants to see his nephew. The next day the boy was sent to his hometown /I think in the Tulsk province/.

Alexandra diary

3/16 July. Irina's 23rd B.D. Tuesday.

[Irina Alexandrovna, daughter of Nicholas’ sister Ksenia, wife of Felix Yusupov (who murdered Rasputin)]

Grey morning, later lovely sunshine. Baby has a slight cold. All went out ½ hour in the morning. Olga & I arranged our medicines. Tatiana read Spir. Readings. 3:00. They went out, Tatiana stayed with me & we read: Bk. of the Pr. Amos and Pr. Obadiah. Tatted. Every morning the Command. comes to our rooms, at last after a week brought eggs for the Baby.

From the testimony of Yakov Yurovsky

[16 July] ...Meanwhile, all the preparations were made: 12 men were selected / including the Latvians with revolvers, who were supposed to execute the sentence/. 2 of the Latvians refused to shoot the girls.

When the truck arrived, everyone was sleeping. We awoke Botkin, and he [awoke] all the rest. The explanation was given as follows: "in light of the disturbances in the city, it was necessary to move the Romanov family from the upper floor to the lower one.

Testimony of Ipatiev house guard Yakimov

(17 July)... Just after midnight, old style time, or after 2 new style time, which the Bolsheviks changed to two hours forward, - some people came down into the lower rooms and started walking towards the room marked “I" on the map of the lower floor [the cellar). In front walked Yurovsky and Nikulin. Behind them walked the Sovereign, the Empress and the daughters: Olga, Tatiana, Maria and Anastasia, and also Botkin, Demidova, Trupp and the cook Kharitonov. The Sovereign himself was carrying the Heir. Behind them walked Medvedev and the “Latvians”, i.e. the ten men who lived in the lower rooms who were recruited by Yurovsky theu the Extraordinary committee.  Among them were two Russians with rifles.

From the report of Yakov Yurovsky

[17 July]  

They dressed for about a half hour.  Downstairs a room with wooden paneling was chosen to avoid ricochet/all furniture was taken out from it. The team was ready in the room next door. The Romanovs did not suspect anything. The commandant went to get them personally, alone, and brought them down the stairs to the lower room. Nicholas carried Alexei in his arms. The rest carried with them little cushions and various small things. Having entered the empty room, A.F. asked: "so, there is no chair? May we not sit?" The commandant ordered two chairs to be brought in. Nicholas sat Alexei on one, A.F. sat on the other. The rest were ordered by the commandant to line up.

[…]

When they lined up, the team was called in.  After the team entered, the commandant said to the Romanovs, that in light of their relatives' continuous offense on Soviet Russia, Ural-ispolkom made the decision to execute them by shooting. Nicholas turned his back to the team, facing his family, then, as if he realized what was happening, turned to the commandant, with the question "what? what?". The commandant quickly repeated and ordered the team to get set. Earlier the team was assigned who will shoot whom and were ordered to aim directly in the heart, to avoid too much blood volume and to finish faster.

Nicholas did not utter anything else, again turning to the family, the others uttered a few incoherent exclamations, all this lasted a few seconds. Then the shooting started, which lasted two-three minutes.

Nicholas was killed by the commissar himself, immediately after A.P. and Romanovs' people died / 12 people were shot in total: Nicholas, Alexei, A. F., the four daughters Tatiana, Olga, Maria and Anastasia, Dr Bokin, lackey Trup (sic], cook Tikhomirov, another cook Kharitonov) and a lady-in-waiting, whose surname the commandant forgot/. Alexei, their [sic] three sisters and Botkin were still alive, and they had to be finished off.

This surprised the commandant because they aimed directly into their hearts, it was also surprising that the revolver bullets bounced off someone and ricocheted like hail around the room. When they tried to finish the girls off with bayonets, the bayonet could not go through the corsage [sic – he meant corset] ...

Then [we] started carrying out the corpses and loading them into the truck, covering with cloth, in order to prevent blood seepage. That's when theft started; was forced to get 3 reliable comrades to guard the corpses during the transfer/the corpses were carried one by one … 

Recollection of Nikolai "Kolya" Derevenko

Until that sad day of 17 July, 1918, my father, Gilliard, Gibbes, and others knew everything, but I knew nothing. Something terrible was going to happen, but I didn't know what it was... In the last week of July 1918, myself, my father, Gilliard, Gibbes, and others entered the Ipatiev house. There was a terrible scene... The house was in complete chaos; diaries, letters, albums, and other things were strewn all around in the house... "But where is leskela [Alexei]?" I asked my father, but he stayed silent. leskela's diary was found by a White guard, I think his name was Nemetkin, I am not sure. But Leonid Sednev... I saw him. He cried. His cries were so loud... so loud! I was confused. "Papa, where is my leskela?" - I asked.

"They killed him", he said, and I started to cry. "But how?" - I replied. "They killed the Tsar, the Tsaritsa, and the Grand Duchesses too. They are all dead." - said my father. "But I don't understand. Where... where are their bodies?" "We don't know, maybe we will never find them"

I then realized how brutal life could be... I found leskel's last letter written to me. One sentence in particular in that letter - "I hug you tightly" - made me cry so much. I thought "and I hug you tightly too, my dear friend, my Tsar..." I was in shock. In the following years, I thought about him. "Why did they kill you? In the USSR, there was no place for my leskela. We will be friends forever, my dear Tsesarevich… If I could see you just one more time, then I can die in peace … 

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POSTSCRIPT 1

Nicholas diary

27 March, Tuesday [1918]:

The cold came right away with a northern wind.  The day remained bright.  Yesterday read aloud Niluis’ [sic] book about the Antichrist in which the “protocols” of the Jews and masons were added – a rather contemporary reading material.

Comment:

This off-handed entry in Nicholas’ diary speaks volumes.

 •             It’s just a routine diary entry – including small talk about the weather.  The way he refers to the “protocols” suggests a genuine lack of familiarity with their source – he certainly was not trying to make a political statement (in his private diary) - he was reading the protocols to try and make sense of what was happening to [Mother] Russia at the hands of these alien hordes of the Antichrist – trying to make sense of it all.

 •             He mentions both the “Jews and masons” as if their connection was just common knowledge.

 •             He is reading these “protocols” (from his collection of books in boxes) in a situation where he and his family were under tight house arrest and extreme duress and had already been moved to Ipatiev House (“House of Special Purpose”) in Ekaterinburg where the whole family and entourage were soon to be murdered in the most ritualistic and sadistic manner.  They had no idea that this is what was planned.

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POSTSCRIPT 2

Rasputin to Nicholas

Sometime in first half of 1914 as rumblings of war (WWI) were happening

Dear friend/ one more time I say a terrible cloud is above Russia/ affliction/ much misfortune/ darkness with no light in sight/ a sea of tears/ there is no recourse but blood? What will I say? There are no words/ indescribable horror/ I know everyone wants wars from you most likely not seeing that it will mean death. Heavy will be God's punishment when he takes away reason/ it is the beginning of the end. You the Tsar father of the people/ do not allow insanity to triumph and ruin yourself and the people. they [the Bolsheviks?] will win over Germany but Russia? Just think/ truly there was not bitterer suffering for ages/ they will all drown in blood/ great ruin/ endless grief / Grigori

[I hope to cover Grigori [Rasputin] in future Mentions - nothing is what it seems]

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        The Romanovs. Their smiles - blessOTMA