1913 Diary of Grand Duchess Olga Nikolaievna, transl. by Marina Petrov

[Lalee]

I just sent an email to Gilbert asking him about possible releases of Olga's wartime diaries, and also of Tatiana's 1913 diary and a full volume of her wartime diaries.

The reason why I ask about Olga's wartime diaries is that I've read that the war had greatly affected her, and reading her perspectives throughout those years would be a great source. I asked about Tatiana's 1913 diary and her wartime diaries, because I would simply also like to read her perspectives, mostly because I find her to be enigmatic and also very admirable.

Both girls became nurses, so I wouldn't mind reading about their experiences, and also to see how much their lives changed once the war began (I am wishing for two separate volumes of Olga's and Tatiana's diaries).

[rgt9w]

I recently asked Mr. Gilbert about publishing further diaries. He stated he has no plans to publish other diaries at this time.

[carkuczyn]

I received my copy a few days ago and have a hard time putting it down.  New question..........why does Olga put a person's name at the beginning of some of the entries?  The name is usually right before the date.

[Suzanne]

I have not yet read the book so this may not be correct but is it possible that the name corresponds with the Saint's Day. Another possibility is that the names represent birthdays - Alexandra began diary entries with references to friends and relatives who had birthdays that day.

[Sarushka]

I received my copy a few days ago and have a hard time putting it down.  New question..........why does Olga put a person's name at the beginning of some of the entries?  The name is usually right before the date.

I believe those are names of people who visited or dined with the tsar on that date. Some of them were aides de camp.

[LisaDavidson]

For those of you interested in further publication of diaries - if GARF and a translator are willing, the Alexander Palace Time Machine is agreeable to posting these materials on its website for the continued free use of those interested.I know finances are often a reason for not publishing more materials.

I understand why Anastasia burned her diaries in Tobolsk. She probably had a moment of clarity that if she did not destroy them that her father's enemies would gain control of them and possibly use them to either embarrass him or to simply publish them and violate her privacy. I would love to have read her diaries, make no mistake, but I understand what this young woman did and possibly why.

[Ally Kumari]

that would be just terrific Lisa!

You may be right about Anastasia´s diaries. To me (as to a teenage girl) also seems, she and Maria simply didn´t want their diaries to be read by anyone. After all, they were both in the age when you really start to grasp the world around you, perhaps they wrote down some very personal things and ideas.... And decided that it all would be kept personal....

[Teddy]

that would be just terrific Lisa!

You may be right about Anastasia´s diaries. To me (as to a teenage girl) also seems, she and Maria simply didn´t want their diaries to be read by anyone. After all, they were both in the age when you really start to grasp the world around you, perhaps they wrote down some very personal things and ideas.... And decided that it all would be kept personal....

I don't think the GARF is willing to give these diaries to be published on a website at all. And if they are translated then the next step is to be published in bookform. Such as "A LongLife Passion" which is from his directors.

And because many books are published online on this site, it didn't stop me, for not having these books on my shelf myself.

Maybe we can pay the GARF for publishing the other diaries. A small contribution from all who loved the first volume, is not a bad idea.

[nena]

That is great idea!
I would love if I read OTM's diaries. But, remember they were Grand Duchesses, maybe the most popular girls in Russia in early 20th century, and their everyday and private life they 'put' in diaries. So, I think some their private things shouldn't be published. Just IMO. And I agree with Lisa  about Anastasia's diaries. And maybe she knew she would make more legends about her...? Wonder if all their diaries they took with them to Tobolsk? Why did not Maria burn all of them -- three are saved...
btw, I considered Empres Alexandra started his entries with birthdays, for example, their last day began as "23th Birthday of Irina..." - if I remember correct. And I would love how GDs knew dates of births of officers...I mean, did they write dates in notebook, or?

[aleksandr pavlovich]

Teddy, referencing your post #97:  I absolutely agree with your notion that GARF would not be willing to "give"  the remaining diaries, including the Heir's (a single volume of which I have personally seen a few years ago), to be FREELY published on a website. Realistically, as to asking for contributions from, let us say, those who own or have even heard of this first volume, I think that would produce very, very little in the way of fiscal bargaining/leverage. "Lip service" versus commitment is usually most telling.  Parenthetically, does anyone have the number of copies initially published of this book of this thread AND how many have been actually sold to date?    AP

[Sarushka]

btw, I considered Empres Alexandra started his entries with birthdays, for example, their last day began as "23th Birthday of Irina..." - if I remember correct. And I would love how GDs knew dates of births of officers...I mean, did they write dates in notebook, or?

In Olga's diary, the names at the beginning of each entry can't be birth dates because many of the names are repeated throughout the year on different dates. They're just the day's visitors. Also, during the family's holidays on Standart and in Livadia, the notations virtually disappear.

[nena]

I mean in Alexandra's diary. Voeikov mentioned OTMA loved to talk with offcers about their names, birthdays, and oftenly OTMA played themselves who will better say the name. Olga Nicholaievna wanted that all names of not Russian people to be translated into Russian. 

[LisaDavidson]

One reason why copyright holders are willing to have us publish their books on the web is that we have promised our site will remain free. Many people do not have access to large metropolitan or university libraries as we do so we are a source for all, regardless of where a person lives or their financial circumstances.

For that reason, I'm not sure that we would solicit donations from you either. I can understand the GARF wanting to make money where they can, but Bob, Rob and I are strongly committed to keeping the APTM non-commercial for a variety of reasons and I don't see this changing.

Nice idea to have them here, though.

[Romanov_fan]

I haven't read this yet, but would be interested in doing so. I'm just glad it got published, and thank those whose hard work resulted in that. I thought the perspectives on the girls social lives (or lack thereof) interesting. In my opinion, they had the normal social lives of young royals of that time- pretty much, but the war did interupt that.I think it is easy to see it from a modern perspective, but royalty had lives that were more apart then, and also young women in general not just royalty were '' childish'' longer than today, and had different social lives than we today would consider a social life. Young women took longer to grow up then in some ways. Royals lived their lives around family, and people were either of their rank or not so far from it, or who had positions that brought them into contact with them (such as the sailors on the standart, soldiers, etc).  To us, I agree their social life looks lacking, and by modern standards was.

The people they would have been around later on had the dynasty continued would have been people perhaps not so much peers as people suitable for their rank and status, although, indeed, there were many people who were their peers of suitable rank and status.  They lived in an class structured society, not so much age structured. American society today is so age structured. I agree that OTMA were lonely at times, royalty often was- but they did have some social life, they weren't just locked up with their parents and siblings. I do agree we need to know more about what other young women of their comparable rank and status had as social lives- that might make a good thread. I grew up very much in the company of adults as well, was the oldest child. It does make you more serious and thoughtful- maybe it is no coincidence so many of us on this thread grew up that way. I just relate more to older people than people my own age still, not having grown up with peers, I was homeschooled part of my childhood.  I still don't really get on with people my own age. I don't feel I miss out though. My best friend and closest friend is 40 and we met on here. I'm 22. I don't think I could find what I have with her with someone my own age. Just my perspective.

[carkuczyn]

What is Olga talking about when she says they did "giant-strides"?  It is something that they did when they went ashore during the Standardt cruise.  So far I am struck by the simplicity of her and her sisters' lives.  Their idea of fun was to go for long walks, pick flowers, just sit and talk, maybe play tennis.........oh, and walk on stilts and do "giant-strides"!  I can't imagine young people of today, royal or not, being so tame.  It makes me nostalgic.