English Nurses and Governesses.

[richardB]

I originally posted a question in the forum annoucements as there did not seem to be a general questions area.
I was researching family letters, from 1884 onwards from family who were governesses and nurses working for the Russian Imperial family. As possibly this involved at least two and possibly four aunts and different references to palaces and children, it was difficult to know what section to start a post in .However , answers to my original posting seem to be heading towards working for Grand Duchess Xenia amongst others. Indeed a link to HMS Malborough on this site lists those brought to Malta and at the bottom of the page and on the right hand side of the book excert is listed Governesses :
Miss Coster, etc  
So , I would love to hear from anyone who has photos of the servants from 1884 onwards and any references to the name Coster, either as nurses or governesses.
                      Thanks  
                               RichardB

[Eddie_uk]

It's interesting to wonder what happened to the servants who escaped

[lancashireladandre]

There is a marvellous book about English governesses"When Miss Emmie was in Russia".

[Matthew Wilde]

Richard -
I hope your research has progressed well, in recent years.  (I think I'll restrict my future genealogical enquiries to 'Researching Russian roots' - especially as there doesn't seem to be an automatic notification of responses, in these forums.)
I read on another thread that a Miss King was a governess who was evacuated on HMS Marlborough.  She may have been the Lucy Beatrice King who was a witness at the 1920 London wedding of Count Alexander Fersen, to Princess Alexandra Wiasemsky, nee Countess Schouvaloff (who I am currently researching).  Have you come across Miss King in your researches?
Matthew.

[Vanya Ivanova]

There is quite a lot of detail about of the English nannies in Frances Welch's new book 'The Russian Court at Sea' recording the Romanov's journey into exile on the HMS Marlborough. Unfortunately none of the photographs in the book include the governesses/nannies but there are some wonderful anecdotes regarding them. Hope this helps.

[Matthew Wilde]

Thank you Vanya.  I shall add that book to my reading list!
Matthew.

[Kalafrana]

'Red Princess' by Sofka Zinoviev has quite a lot about Miss King, though it doesn't give her Christian name.

[Matthew Wilde]

Thank you.  I shall read 'Red Princess', when I have finished reading 'Autobiography of a Princess'.  The subject of these two books quotes in the latter, a letter written by Miss King - and it is signed "L. King".  I'm fairly convinced that this was the Lucy Beatrice King, who was a witness at the wedding that I referred to.  The autobiography also includes one photo of Miss King (with Sofka, taken in 1913).
Matthew.