Olga's Letters

[voyageroffreedom]

Here is my translation, of course it may correct errors if someone notice an error please correct it, or if anyone had a better translation please submit it. If you’re not knowledgeable about the language, don’t use an online translator as it may not give you the right meaning that suits the context.

Page 260
However, Maria, who had alerted eyes, had time to write a word on the back of a small packet containing an icon which she threw at the feet of the captain. The night was black and it was impossible to find the message, the day after the icon has disappeared in the snow.
Continuation of Olga letter (Thursday, 19 April / 2 May E.G.)
“For two whole days I did not write. I think I can’t finally send this one. Today we had a communion. All the time, we were thinking about you, our dears. We miss you so much. Yesterday we dressed the Baby (I think Olga isreferring to Alexei here) and we took him out on his wheelchair for two hours, he was so happy and didn’t expect that the weather will be warm.
In fact, on Wednesday, Alexei woke up and Nagorny had carried him to his wheelchair. He enjoyed the sun.
“Today is more chilly, he stays (Alexei) in the house on a camp bed. It’s better this way, because he was tired. He lied at Papa (probably his bed/bedroom) and during the religious service at your place (Alix bed/bedroom, seems Olga is written this message to her mother). Toutels [Footnotes nb1:Toutelberg] have packed all your things Mama, my little soul, and it had become empty. Yesterday came a letter and a small packet of Zina [footnote nb2: Zenaida Sergeyevna Tolstaia, wife of an aide officer of Grand Duke Dmitri, who fled to Odessa]. She tells us, as always, so many nice things.”
“In the package there was a candle from the tomb of the Christ, a cake, colored eggs and marmalade. For you table-napkin/towel [Footnote nb 3:Russian costume. Cakes and Easter eggs were placed on an embellished towel/table napkin] and a tassel/bookmark from her daughter. We just got other letters from Rita [Footnote nb 4:Rita Hitrovo],etc. There are some (letters) for you. They send you their best wishes etc. Koupov [Footnote nb 5: also called Koupitch, Ivan Stepanovich was captain of the regiment of the empress mother (Alix)]  wrote a letter. He saw at Petrog, Mitia and Boris who both send their greetings. Djour wrote a letter, he left with his division because after the peace agreement they cannot stay in here anymore, but he didn’t say where they will go.
The mother of Liouboussia [Footnote nb 6:Countess Musin Pushkin, mother of Liouboussia Kotchoubey] have wrote; Nic. Dim. (I think it’s Nicholas Demenkov) work as an assistant for her husband (the husband of Liouboussia). He lost weight, diet. The operation have not yet occurred. He often see Rita, etc. He is nice. Today I’m writing to my godmother

[voyageroffreedom]

Page 261
Olga write again the next day, It’s Good Friday, and she haven’t yet send her letter.

Today is Good Friday. Time has changed. After a sunny morning, strong wind gave risen bringing with it clouds and it rains. It is only 4 degrees which causes hail to fall down. We have all cut woods with Schwibs, it was not too bad. I can’t remember if I have written to you that in first May, there was a demonstration or protest, I don’t know exactly how to call it (don’t you think im lost in translation. it’s olga who doesn’t know the right word to describe it :p), everybody was marching with red flags, guns, etc… Alex. Petr [Footnote nb 1: Alexander Petrovich kirpitchnikov] have sold the pigs for 900 rubles and he only kept one a female, I think it is the one who fought with Ortipo. Jim [Footnote nb 2: a dog given to Anastasia by Anna was Viroubova] is coughing and staying home. Yesterday, the Baby had pain in his leg all day, he was cranky when we didn’t entertain him. During the service, he read about the twelve Gospels from his books, he was happy. His mood was good today, and he’s not in pain. He continues to cough but less smother. Alexis [ footnote nb 3: this is either alexis Andreyevich Volkov, valet of the empress, or the lackey Alexix Yegorovitch Troupp, but most likely it is the first one] had nausea and felt very badly, and that’s why he didn’t leave. He is sad. You understand. St [ Footnote nb 4: without a doubt it’s Stephan Makarov, the assistant of Tchemodourov] thanks Mashka. There was many different little things that have accumulated that I would like to tell you about them Mama, little soul. We have found a small Holly Shroud that was placed on the folding of the game table, on a white table-cloth. Below, there is the carpet of my brother and around it pink flowers with which Schwibs have played the comedy. We put the roses on the Baby on the…I forgot what it is called; it is what the priest hold during the midnight mass and holding the cross at the same time; in short, it’s with the candles that the priest has asked us to hang it up here. He (the priest) rejoices in seeing our Holy Shroud, etc.. Mama, little soul, (God) is only one knows where you are and how everything goes.

Saturday, 6 pm (evening 21 April / 4 May-E.g.)
We learned by telegram MATV[ Footnote nb5: Matviev] that all is well. Oh my Goodness! How are you? It’s horrible not to be together and nothing to know of real on you, because what’s being said to us was various and general... May god Protect you.

Indeed ,Matrviev have, sent a telegram to Kobylinsky, announcing that they had stopped at Eakterinbourg. Olga's letter, dares not to express the anxieties that she and (page 262) her sisters felt to this news, because they believed that the travelers will be leaving to Moscow.
I only translated the first two phrases in page 262, i will translate the rest later. 

[voyageroffreedom]

(Page 262) Olga continues:
I'm afraid we can not go to the cathedral. I hung on small skretki [?] our Easter Eggs mixed with yours in ivory which are very beautiful. Now, we are preparing our church. Mama, loved and adored, I imagine you running around and being occupied with all this with great passion. Kirpitch [Footnote nb 1: Kirpitchnikov] has brought two magnificent  “balmy fir-trees” that we have placed near the windows of each side of Iconostasis. It smells wonderful and make us recall the Christmas tree, do you remember? If they were only…. We have cut some branches, and Mister Gibbes, on a stool, have hanged them above the Iconostasis. On the ground, we have disposed heaps of pots with green plants and flowers which we searched for in the glass house. First we have extensively washed them with Fizi [?] who previously colored the eggs and had a visit from the peacock [Footnote nb2 : this letter like the majority of the other letters, include phrases in conventional language, and we have difficulty to comprehend them]. On the side of the Irtych (I think it is the name of the Russian River) a full flood, the sun and dark clouds with heavy rain and strong wind have succeeded. There was a stroke of thunder and lightning. The Baby is happy and of course this morning during the service he found it nice to sleep deeply. And so we have difficulty in waking him up difficulty at the time of the communion of Alex.Petr. [Footnote nb3: Kirpitchnikov] Kladv. Mikh. [Footnote nb4 :Miss Bitner] she will communicate tonight and Aksiouta [Footnote nb 5:Captain Aksiouta, the responsible of  bursarship in thegovernor's house] today. Now Mister G. is unwell.
 
Olga continues her letter on Easter Sunday, April 22 / May 5:
Khristoss Voskressie!  [Footnote nb 6:"Christ is risen!" is the ritual formula by which all begin their letters of Easter greeting. In response, we wrote: "Voistinou Voskressie! In truth, He is risen!"]. Dear and beloved, you have celebrated this festival of light (Easter) and what have you done. Dear Mama, when we will finally be together? May God protect you. The midnight mass and the divine service went well. It was beautiful and intimate. We lighted all the lateral side lamps, but not the chandelier and it was clear enough. The Baby have slept during the service and therefore he didn’t (page 263) take role in Easter Eve he didn’t even notice when we transported him back to his room. Today at half past ten, we gave the Easter accolade to everyone and we offered eggs. All thanked us. These are the nuns who sang well overall, but the Easter songs were awful, something in the genre of folk dances and rhythm. The candles were well with gilded stripes and there were candles for you that we have lighted in seriatim during the Easter Mass and also lighted Zina’s candle. There are a lot of eggs, koulitchov [Footnote nb1: Type of  traditional Easter brioche] pashki [footnote nb2: Easter cake that has cottage cheese base] etc. Mama , little soul, and at your place? I’m hurting---when thinking about you; why we have everything and you what you have there? Dear adored  Mama, how much I want to see you and kiss you!... Right now, Klavd. Mikh., Nastenka [footnote nb 3: Miss Bitner and Countess Hendrikova] and the general are with the Baby. Rostovtzov [footnote nb 4: Rostovtzov was an assistant for the tsar] sent his wishes by a telegram and also Koupytch [footnote nb 5: Koupov] wrote about Vorenj and remember the year 1915. We hear all the time the sound of bells. Time is gloomy.
The letter ends here brutally; without a doubt it lacks a page.
(Olga letter has ended, but here the rest of the translation of the page:)
“As for Alexei, he wrote a note for his friend: “I am sending you a blessed bread”. And on a small envelope: “For Kolia”
It was not until Tuesday, April 24 / May 7, they finally received news from Ekaterinburg dating six days back.
Marie was the first one who began to write in this jointly letter, officially addressed to Anastasia [footnote nb:6 this letter is preserved in the archives of Yale University]
"Ekaterinburg 18 / April 1, 1918 [footnote nb 7: 18 April / 1 May, four days before Easter Sunday. The phrase: “Christ have risen!” was anticipated, in anticipation of uncertain delays in delivery of the letter]
“send my wishes for the festival of lights (Easter), my sweet Anastasia. We have arrived here by cars since the railway. . For lunch, a half past four, we were entitled to have the common soup. We unpacked our belongings ...

And that was it. Thanks for Annie who provided us with those pages <3

[clockworkgirl21]

A French speaker gave me this one:

Here are two whole days that I haven't written about. I don't think that I'll end up sending this. Today we took communion. We thought of you the whole time, our darlings, we miss you so much. Yesterday we dressed the little one and took him for a walk for two hours in a chair (maybe the kid is handicapped and can't walk I guess), he was very pleased and didn't expect it to be so soft.

Wednesday actually, Alexis had gotten up and Nagorny carried him to his wheelchair. He made the most of the sun.

Today the weather's cooler and he's staying home on a camp bed. It's better that way sinse he was getting tired. He's at his dad's house, and during the religious service at your house. Toutels got together all Your things, mum, little soul, and it's so empty. Yesterday a letter and a package from Zina arrived. She tells us, as usual, so many nice things.

In the packet there was a candle with the tomb of Jesus, a cake, painted eggs and marmalade.For you, a towel/napkin and a bookmark from her daughter. We just received other letters from Rita, etc. There's also some for You. They send their best wishes, etc. Koupov wrote, he is at Petrog. Mitia and Boris send their greetings. Djour wrote, he left with his class because after the peace treaty they couldn't stay here anymore, but he won't say where they are going. Liouboussia's mother wrote. Nic. Dim is working in a deputy position with her husband (Liousboussia's husband) He has gotten thinner: diet. The operation hasn't happened yet. He sees Rita often, etc. He is nice. Today I will write to Godmother.

Second page:

Olga starts writing again the following day, on Good Friday; she still doesn't know where to send her letter.

Today, it's Good Friday. The weather has changed. After a sunny morning, a strong wind came by bringing clouds and it's raining. It's only 4 degrees and there's hail. We still cut wood with Schwibs, and it's wasn't too bad. I can't remember if I already told you but, on the 1st of May, according to the "new style", there was a manifestation or a demonstration, I don't know what we call that, and everyone was parading with red flags, guns, etc. Alex Peter sold the pigs for 900 roubles, and only kept one, the female I think, who also found a way to fight with Ortipo. Jim is coughing and stays at home. Yesterday the little one had a sore leg all day and was sullen even while we entertained him.

During the service he followed the reading of the twelve Apostles in his book and was happy. His mood is good today and he's not hurting. He continues to cough but he chokes less. Alexis felt nauseas and was feeling very bad, that's why he left. He is sad. Do you understand? St (footnote says it's Stepan Makarov) thanks Machka. (not too sure about this sentence.....................) . We found ourselves a Holy Shroud which is placed on the folding table, on a white cloth. On it, there is (I'm not sure "tapis du frère") and around it are pink flowers with which Schwibs had done the comedy.

We will put the little one's flowers on the...I forgot the word for the thing that the Priest holds during midnight mass at the same time as the cross; in short, it's with candles and the Priest told us to put them up there. He blushed when he saw our Holy Shroud, etc. Mum, little soul, to know only where you are and how everything is.

(Saturday, 6 o'clock, of the night of 21st April/4th May)
We learned from Matv's telegram that everything is fine. Oh! My God, how are you? It's horible not to be together and to not know what is really happening with you all, because what we're being told, in general, is quite varied...may God keep you.

[aleksandr pavlovich]

Re: Letter of the Grandduchess Olga N., Posts 147-153:   If this corespondence is accurate in origin and translation, several things hold my attention:  
        1.)   How desperately fragile the condition of the Heir was at this time.  It would appear that he never walked again, not even descending the stairs to his death site.
        2.)   The odd reference to a person of the last name "Makarov."  We will recall that a "Zehnya Makarov" was one of the Heir's cadet friends/playmates, but THIS reference is to a St. (said to be "Stepan") Makarov.  After the AP confinement, ZEHNYA Makarov simply fades away.
        3.)    While familiar staff/help's names are mentioned prominently (Gibbes, Nagorny, etc.), NOWHERE in this particular letter is the presence of the so-called "Kitchen Boy," Leonid Sednev, mentioned as being helpful to the companionship and physical assistance of the Heir, though he was there at the time of this letter, and accessible to the IF literally to the end, even accompanying the remaining IF and staff on the "Russ".  Previously, this forum had two rather hilarious and vociferous members who claimed a unique "past-life" association, and would have us believe that Leonid Sednev travelled everywhere and was elevated to importance of being always virtually indispensible to the Heir as far back as 1912, 1915, etc. These two are no longer voices on this Forum, spouting unverifiable disinformation.  (As an interesting aside, one of these two, on his "deviant art" site, has posted a "Mischievous Holidays" portrait drawing of the Heir, complete with front tooth gap, and "Leonid" (for whom NO totally verifiable photographic representation is even known to exist), with the response  "Leonid Sednev.... No none really knows much about him, but it was said that they (the Heir and Sednev) were very good friends."  Quite a confession from one who is alleged to have had Sednev as a constant companion in his "former" life. It simply goes to show you, that if you write it and post it even elsewhere, someone will be certain to see it! )   AP.

[blessOTMA]

Thank you VOF and clock for those translations!!! ...I'll post the following pages in a short while. This book supposedly has  letters that are  published no where else  ....so it's wonderful to read this. I LIKE having two versions ....to me ,the letter is clearer that way...

One does get a sense of how much Olga is in the dark about even where her family is much less how they are.
The Russia of 1918 has simply swallowed them up. Though out her letter, Olga  keeps calling for them  .

little soul, to know only where you are and how everything is.

Dear Mama, when we will finally be together? May God protect you

I too noticed Alexei, health ...his sleep patterns are not normal....on another thread I have wondered
 if he was receiving morphine for pain at this time...and this makes me wonder even more

The over riding message here is Olga's acute anxiety about her family...and no wonder. Again what strikes me when reading something from this time in their lives, is how the family just kept going in this terrible situation...remarkable. How they deserve our love and admiration .

[Dust_of_History]

It's just amazing, thanks for the translations! I know how difficult and time consuming that all is. 

[Sarushka]

       3.)    While familiar staff/help's names are mentioned prominently (Gibbes, Nagorny, etc.), NOWHERE in this particular letter is the presence of the so-called "Kitchen Boy," Leonid Sednev, mentioned as being helpful to the companionship and physical assistance of the Heir, though he was there at the time of this letter, and accessible to the IF literally to the end, even accompanying the remaining IF and staff on the "Russ".  

An interesting observation, though I'm leery of reading too much significance into it.

I'm not sure how much association Leonid Sednev with Aleksei in Tobolsk. At that point, Dr. Derevenko's son Kolya was still permitted to visit Aleksei on a weekly basis, and was Aleksei's primary playmate. Once the entire family had ben transferred to Ekaterinburg, however, Kolya Derevenko was denied entrance to the Ipatiev house. IMO, at that point Leonid Sednev became Aleksei's companion out of necessity, rather than any pre-existing familiarity.

I also don't think Leonid's journey to Ekaterinburg can be taken as proof of his loyalty to the IF. Don't forget Leonid's uncle had departed for Ekaterinburg with NAM, leaving him effectively stranded without family in Tobolsk. IMO, those circumstances overshadow the question of Leonid's devotion to the IF.

[voyageroffreedom]

You're welcome Annie and Dust of History and clock i also like your translation version
When translating those pages I noticed how much Olga was worried about her family: “Mama , little soul, and at your place? I'm hurting---when thinking about you; why we have everything and you what you have there?” Like this phrase shows how much Olga is worried about her family, while she and her siblings had Easter eggs, Cake, listened to Easter songs, read telegram from friends…but Olga kept thinking about her family, how did they celebrated there? She was unselfish when saying: why we have everything and you what you have there?”
The other thing I noticed the fragile health of Alexei. Like Annie said, his sleeping pattern was rather abnormal. Also keeping in mind, he wasn't doing anything physically tiring, he could barely walk or they carried him to his wheelchair. Also, Alexei health affected his mood: he became moody when hurting and when no one entertain him, but when he was not in pain he was happy and enjoyed little things like being exposed to sun.

[aleksandr pavlovich]

Response to post # 157 and "Sarushka":   Exactly, Sarushka" !  You have made my point! Heretofore, a former poster "gloried" in the supposed faithfulness, companionship, etc. of Leonid Sednev as "proof" of the Heir's attachment to him over several years.  The intention of my remark/s pointing out the ABSENCE of Leonid Sednev's being mentioned in the letter/s places him, IMO, in proper perspective within the social hierarchy of the captive group.  He was a very MINOR figure/servant in the drama; his rising to prominence was solely occasioned by his availability to the Heir IN LIEU of anyone else his age within the Ekaterinburg confinement. (I have mentioned this previously in earlier postings on the topic "Leonid Sednev," posts #s 143 and 149, June of 2010) It's in Ekaterinburg (if I remember correctly) and ONLY in Ekaterinburg, where the Empress and daughters specifically accord to him any "prominence." And of course, his election to travel eventually to Ekaterinburg, was to remain with his uncle Ivan, his true "family." We recall how quickly and willingly he left the Ipatiev House to supposedly be again with his uncle, when that was used as an effective ruse to get the "Kitchen Boy" away, just hours prior to the execution of the IF (his being completely ignorant of the fact that his uncle was already dead).   Regards,  AP.

[blessOTMA]

VOF , neither English or French is your 1st language...and yet how well you have communicated to us Olga's anguish? I commend you my friend! Sarushka , thank you for pointing out the time table of Aleksei's playmates....when and where ...quite important points to remember.  As you say, whatever his place before, Leonid Sednev became important in Ekaterinburg, out of necessity.  But by the end he was important enough that  Tatiana complained to the commandant when LS was removed... The commandant says she was " hysterical".  If so, that surly underlines the keenness of that necessity .

When I first heard about these letters I understood one was a 7 day diary letter by Olga...and I wondered why did she write one like that? ...but now it's clear  Olga  wrote the diary letter because while she needed  to write to her mother, she didn't know where her parents and Marie even were and  couldn't send a usual letter. So Olga keeps this almost diary of intense longing and family doings...I wonder if the letter was originally in English? ...she says she can't remember the word for a religious item...I think if she was writing in her usual Russian, she most likely would have...of course Olga and her  sisters spoke English with their mother ....  but then again at this time, often the use of a  language besides Russian was banned.   

[voyageroffreedom]

Thanks a lot Annie =)
I also think Olga wrote these letters in Russian, like you said often the use of a language besides Russian was banned and also when translating one of the footnotes the writers admit they had a problem comprehending some of phrases in the majority of the letters this may indicate that the letters were in Russian.
When translating these letters the name Mitia attract my attention: “He saw at Petrog, Mitia and Boris who both send their greetings.” Could this Mitia be Dimitri Shakh-Bagov? Of course it’s hard to tell since the nickname Mitia is given to anyone named Dimitri in Russia. And also who is Boris?
Happy New Year to all AP members <3

[Sarushka]

The fact that the phrase "little soul" comes up so often is an indicator that some portion of the letter was written in Russian.

"Little soul" is a literal translation of the Russian word "dushka." When writing in English, the IF used common English endearments like darling, dear, and dearie -- I've never seen the English phrase "little soul" in the IF's letters.

IMO, it's most likely that the letter was written in a mixture of languages. Alexandra in particular had a habit of rendering Russian names and words in their original cyrillic, even in her English letters and diaries. "Dushka" is exactly the kind of word that members of a multi-lingual household would NOT translate themselves -- it loses something when translated literally.

Also, to my knowledge the use of foreign languages was not banned until the IF's arrival in Ekaterinburg. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think Alexandra had been writing to Anna Vyrubova in English while in Tobolsk.

[blessOTMA]

The fact that the phrase "little soul" comes up so often is an indicator that some portion of the letter was written in Russian.

"Little soul" is a literal translation of the Russian word "dushka." When writing in English, the IF used common English endearments like darling, dear, and dearie -- I've never seen the English phrase "little soul" in the IF's letters.

IMO, it's most likely that the letter was written in a mixture of languages. Alexandra in particular had a habit of rendering Russian names and words in their original cyrillic, even in her English letters and diaries. "Dushka" is exactly the kind of word that members of a multi-lingual household would NOT translate themselves -- it loses something when translated literally.

Excellent points and superbly stated . Also what would  be the likelihood Olga would be allowed to send a letter in English...when she knew where to send it. It would seem to have a  greater chance of reaching her mother if it was in Russian.

Also, to my knowledge the use of foreign languages was not banned until the IF's arrival in Ekaterinburg. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think Alexandra had been writing to Anna Vyrubova in English while in Tobolsk.

That makes sense. I believe at AP they had to speak Russian...at least at the beginning of captivity...when Alix and Nicholas only met for meals ...but I don't know about writing. When the family had to speak and write Russian are interesting questions.

[clockworkgirl21]

I thought N&A had to speak in French during their captivity in the AP.