One Hundred Years On

[DNAgenie]

I don't disagree with much of what you said. I do, however, have a different take on it. I find something sad about the Pathos of their situation and the resulting tragedy. Yes Nicholas knew his weaknesses, as did Alexandra. You miss the point that they had NO CHOICE but to accept their roles and "muddle on" as best they could. It was unthinkable from their perspective to NOT rule as Alexander III and his other ancestors had done. Alexandra bore a huge burden feeling totally to blame for Alexei's illness, she felt a huge guilt at not being able to "fit in" to the Social world of the Aristocracy, who mostly and unfairly never gave her a chance to be accepted for who she was, and who villified her for not conforming to their expectations, when as EMPRESS the Aristocrats had the duty to try to accept her, but they refused. This made her challenge nearly impossible. Her devotion to her family and her role was seen as a negative, by the aristocratic class who preferred her to be a social paragon of tradition, parties, and less about her family, Further the health issues of the Tsetsarevich compounded her difficulty, and she had no support or understanding from the Court for this challenge. I find it a tragedy of PATHOS

That is fair comment and I agree with you about the Pathos of it all, but I wear two hats here. My comments were made as a serious historian, and I find it awkward that some posters here seem to believe that Nicholas II is beyond criticism. Alexandra is less popular, but I find her even more of a tragic figure than her husband. Given the types of people they were, the Russian Revolution became inevitable.

On a personal level I have been fascinated by the story of Anastasia and the deaths of the royal family for many years, and that interest began long before I discovered that I am related to them all. To me they are family, and their history is full of pathos and missed opportunities, so I find myself saying, If ONLY at many points in their lives. But that is hindsight, and it so easy to be wise after the event. I doubt if any of us could have done much better in the same circumstances.

[1130 WNEW]

People in the past don't know they are living in the past. They think they are living in the present. And they cannot see into the future. That is why decisions must be assessed on what they would have known. Not what we know 100 years into the future.

[Lochlanach]

It may have all gone silent on the issue of Romanov bones , re-burial , church recognition , etc. But we will likely be getting an academic paper this year detailing the DNA findings of the recent investigation which ,among other things, will confirm the results of 2009 , place the family within a Central European ( ie German) DNA context , and also provide info on other Russian dynasties. If I had the link I would post it but it is buried on Anthrogenica. Sorry if this has been posted elsewhere.

[tenorsfan]

Over 100 years now but still a sad date.