Letters from Tatiana

[Inok Nikolai]

Another…

To Princess Nadezhda Orlova née Petrovna (daughter of Pyotr Petrov, tutor of the Grand Duchesses)

2 October 1917 - Tobolsk
All of us are here and everything is in order. The house was small but cozy. It has a balcony where we sit on much. Almost everyday, the weather is wonderful, very warm but many leaves fall. We get much air here. There also is small garden behind the kitchen.

We walk around the garden for only three minutes. A part of the street we walk on in front of the house was fenced. We walk to and fro - about 120 steps long. The streets here are all covered with wooden planks, and in many places, there are big holes, but one can drive safely. Our windows look out onto the street, so we have fun looking at the passers-by. Thrice we went to church - it was such a comfort and joy! On Saturdays and other days, we have vespers and obednitsa. Certainly, those are good but still, it cannot replace a true church. Time passes quickly and monotonously. We work, read, play the piano, walk, and have lessons. Those are all for now. Directly address your letter to me, or in the name of Commissioner Pankratov, through whom all letters go firstly…

Tatyana

I just saw this while looking for something else.

For the record, the letter is authentic, but, according to our sources, it was written to Zinaida S. Tolstaya in Odessa; not to Petrov's daughter.

We would be interested to know where it was listed as written to Orlova.

[Inok Nikolai]

She wrote very beautiful

Personally, I think Tatiana wrote most untidy of her sisters. I have no problems reading Marie or Olga's letters/diary entries, but Tatiana's give me an incredibly hard time... : )

Often people are startled (even a bit intimidated) when they first see Grand Duchess Tatiana Nicholaevna's handwriting, especially samples of it from her adult years.

We just tell them to pretend that they are reading the printout from a seismograph after a major earthquake!

Actually, since Grand Duchess Tatiana writes a rather large hand, it's not as difficult as it first seems, once one gets used to it.

Now, the Empress, when she squeezes the text of a full-length letter onto a 3" x 5" postcard — is a different matter!


Here is another sample of Grand Duchess Tatiana's handwriting (enlarged in photocopy):

[Olga Maria]

For the record, the letter is authentic, but, according to our sources, it was written to Zinaida S. Tolstaya in Odessa; not to Petrov's daughter.

We would be interested to know where it was listed as written to Orlova.

Thank you very much for the correction : )    It's almost been three years since I posted that letter so I can't remember well where I got it from ~ maybe it was from a letter of her in a French auction or a Russian website with a confusing layout ... and I already forgot the link for it. Nevertheless, thank goodness you corrected the recipient.

Well, I need all your help, any of you who would like to translate all these letters! click here

[blessOTMA]

We just tell them to pretend that they are reading the printout from a seismograph after a major earthquake!

  LOL

Actually, since Grand Duchess Tatiana writes a rather large hand, it's not as difficult as it first seems, once one gets used to it.

Good news!

Now, the Empress, when she squeezes the text of a full-length letter onto a 3" x 5" postcard — is a different matter!

Indeed and I think her failing eye sight in the later years played a role in her handwriting as well.
I  cannot wait until the family's letters are published in English...They have been mute too long in the West

[amelia]

I am looking forward to read the letters of the family. Amelia

[TimM]

A letter from Tatiana.   Sounds  nice, I'd love to read something from her.

[Olga Maria]

I think this letter is something we haven't read in full before. From here.

Тобольск

6(19) августа 1917 г. — 7(20) мая 1918 г. Из письма Татьяны Николаевны — Великой княгине Ксении Александровне. 18 сентября 1917 г.

"Ужасно приятно, что у нас есть балкон, на котором солнце греет с утра до вечера, весело там сидеть и смотреть на улицу, как все ездят и проходят. Единственное наше развлечение. Из наших окон очень красивый вид на горы и на верхний город, где большой Собор.

По воскресеньям бывает обедница в зале, были два раза в церкви. Ты можешь себе представить, какая это была для нас радость после 6 месяцев, так как ты помнишь, какая неуютная наша походная церковь в Царском Селе. Здесь церковь хорошая. Одна большая летняя в середине, где и служат для прихода, и две зимние по бокам. В правом приделе служили для нас одних. Она здесь недалеко, надо пройти город и прямо напротив, через улицу. Мама мы везли в кресле, а то ей все-таки трудно идти. Грустно, что у нее все время сильные боли в лице, кажется, от зубов и потом от сырости.

А так все остальные здоровы. Что делаете целый день — как проводите время? Сидим все вместе по вечерам, кто-нибудь читает вслух. Завтракаем тоже все вместе, а чай пьем одни. Буду ждать от тебя писем. Всего, всего хорошего. Храни вас всех Господь. Целуем всех крепко, крепко; крепко, как любим. Молимся за вас. Любящая тебя очень,
твоя крестница Татьяна"


I've made an incomplete rough translation to give an idea of what this letter is about. I omitted details that I didn't understand from Google Translator which I denoted with ...

September 18, 1917 (to Grand Duchess Xenia Alexandrovna)

It’s very nice that we have a balcony here where we see the sun shining from morning ‘til night. It is fun to sit there and watch the street to see people pass by. That our only amusement. From our windows we could see a beautiful view of the mountains and the upper town where a great cathedral stands.  
On Sundays we have an obednitsa in the hall, and we have had it twice in the Church. Can you imagine what big pleasure it is for us after six months … There is a good church here… The right aisle is reserved only for us. It is near where we stay: we have to walk through the town across the road directly from us. We are driving Mama through her chair however we can’t go there at the moment. It is sad that she has severe pain all the time in her face; it seems because of her teeth and the dampness. The rest of us are healthy. What do you do all day — how do you spend your time? We all sit together in the evening while someone reads aloud. We also have breakfast together and I drink tea alone. I will wait for your letter. I wish you all goodness. God bless you all and I kiss you all strongly, so strong as love. We pray for you. Always loving you,
Your God-daughter, Tatiana.  

Sunny may provide a full and accurate translation soon when she sees this : )  

[Sunny]

I'm going to print it and have a look at this later

[Sarushka]

I think this letter is something we haven't read in full before. From here.

Тобольск

6(19) августа 1917 г. — 7(20) мая 1918 г. Из письма Татьяны Николаевны — Великой княгине Ксении Александровне. 18 сентября 1917 г.

"Ужасно приятно, что у нас есть балкон, на котором солнце греет с утра до вечера, весело там сидеть и смотреть на улицу, как все ездят и проходят. Единственное наше развлечение. Из наших окон очень красивый вид на горы и на верхний город, где большой Собор.

По воскресеньям бывает обедница в зале, были два раза в церкви. Ты можешь себе представить, какая это была для нас радость после 6 месяцев, так как ты помнишь, какая неуютная наша походная церковь в Царском Селе. Здесь церковь хорошая. Одна большая летняя в середине, где и служат для прихода, и две зимние по бокам. В правом приделе служили для нас одних. Она здесь недалеко, надо пройти город и прямо напротив, через улицу. Мама мы везли в кресле, а то ей все-таки трудно идти. Грустно, что у нее все время сильные боли в лице, кажется, от зубов и потом от сырости.

А так все остальные здоровы. Что делаете целый день — как проводите время? Сидим все вместе по вечерам, кто-нибудь читает вслух. Завтракаем тоже все вместе, а чай пьем одни. Буду ждать от тебя писем. Всего, всего хорошего. Храни вас всех Господь. Целуем всех крепко, крепко; крепко, как любим. Молимся за вас. Любящая тебя очень,
твоя крестница Татьяна"

This is an excerpt from a longer letter. Here's a more complete version of the Russian text from Pered Rasstrelom:


Тобольск, 1917 г. 18 Сентября.

Дорогая моя милая Крестная,

Наконец собралась написать Тебе и поблагодарить за открытку. Писала Тебе последний раз с Парохода на имя Соф. Дм.. Получула-ли Ты ее. Мы телеграфировали Н. А. числа 15/VIII где поздравляли их с рождением сына - не знаю дошла-ли теперь. Буду страшно рада если Ты мне напишешь, адресуй прямо мне или на имя Комис. Панкратова, через котораго проходит вся корреспонденция; как хочешь. Ну, вот. Погода здесь чудная все дней и сегодня в тени около 18 гр. Так хорошо, сидим много в садике или на дворе перед домом, где огорожем для нас кусочек улицы, за которой городской сад. Дороги все, т. е. улицы, деревянныя и во многих местах доски прогнили и большия дыры. К счастью ни-кто не пздает. Но во время дождя очень скользко. - Ужасно приятно, что у нас есть балкон, на котором солнце греет с утра и до вечера, весело там сидеть и смотреть на улицу как все ездят и проходят. Единственное наше развлечение. У нас тут завелось целое хозяйство. Много кур, индюшек, уток и пять свиней, кот. живут в бывшей губернаторской конюшне. Один у нас случайно выскочил и убежал на уличу. Его долго искали, но не могли найти, а потом вечером он к нам сам вернулся.

 Алексей каждый день кормит всех животных. Папа и он выкопали маленький пруд для уток, где оне с наслаждением купаются. Из наших окон очень красивый вид в горы и на верхний город, где большой собор.

  (...) устроил играть в городки перед домом, а мы играем вроде тенниса, но конечно без сетки, а просто ради практики. Потом ходим взад и вперед, чтобы не забыть как ходить. - В длину 120 шагов, короче гораздо чем наша палуба. - По воскресеньям бывает обендица в зале, были два раза в церкви. Ты можешь себе представить какая это была для нас радость после 6 месяцев, т. к. Ты помнишь какая неуютная наша походная церковь в Ц. С. Здесь церковь хорошая. Одна большая летняя в середине, где и служат для прихода и две зимния по бокам. В правом приделе служили для нас однех. Она здесь недалеко, надо пройти город. сад и прям напротив через улицу. Мама мы везли в кресле, а то ей все-таки трудно столько идти. Грустно, что у нея все время сильныя боли в лице, кажется от зубов и потом от сырости. А так все остальные здоровы. Надеюсь, что и вы все тоже. Как маленький Тихон, его родители. Получила-ли Т. Ольга мое письмо от 6/IX. Что Твоя внучка и все дети. А Ты сама как себя чувствуешь. Что делаете целый день - как проводите время. Поправилась-ли Бабушка. Татищев был очень тронут, что его вспоминали. - Сидим все вместе по вечерам, кто нибудь читает вслух. Другие играют в кости, - безик и др. - Завтракаем тоже вместе, а чай пьем один.

Часто очень вспоминаем вас всех. Так бы хотелось повидать и поговорить. Так давно не видались и столько прошло времени.

Слыхала-ли Ты про свадьбу маленькой Марии П. с Гулей П. Мы этого очень не ожидали - а Вы? Ах, прости, я сочинила, писала Тебе 17/VIII последний раз.
 
Как здоровье Сони.
 
Не слыхала Ты где теперь Саша М. (дочь Беби Л.) и что она поделывает.

Ездите-ли вы кататься по окрестностям или в Ялту. Буду ждать от Тебя писем. Всего, всего хорошаго. Храни Вас всех Господь. Целуем всех, крепко, крепко, как любим. Молимся за Вас.

Любяшая тебя очень
Твоя крестница
Татьяна.

[xwhiterussia]

A short extract of a letter to from Tatiana to her father when she was a child, but unfortunately there is no date mentioned (translated) :
"Today we are going to have a salty bath and I like the idea very much. Today I was very googy-goody. Anastasia still sucks her fingers."

[blessOTMA]

sounds like the governess in training lol  bless her

[xwhiterussia]

(Originally from Ukrainian Romanov site; translated to fit, hope did good job; Note: Spelling errors are of Tatiana's own!)

My darling Mama!

I hope you wont be today ver tied and that you can get
up to dinner. I am always so awfuy sorry when you are
tied and when you cant get up. I will pray for you my
darling Mama in church. I hope that we can go some day
to Annias little house with you. Please sleep well and
don't get tied.

Perhaps I have lots of folts but please forgive me. It
is very nice that you didnt go to chruch yesterday els
I am shore you would be much more tied. Was it nice to
[dine] yeasterday with Ania in your little room.

I try to listen what Mary says now as much as I kan.
Did you see without us at Annias brother! I find him
very nice, and how do you! Many, Many kisses to my
beloved Mama. Sleep well and I hope that you wont be
ti[r]ed. Your loving dauther
Tatiana

I will pray for you in church.

(Annia's brother- Sergei Aleksandrovich Taneyev,
brother of Ania Vyrubova. Not to be confused with
Sergei Ivanovich Taneyev, a composer, who was a
distant cousin of theirs. Sergei A. Taneyev survived
the revolution and ended up in New York. Some of his
papers are at the Hoover Institution in California.)

[xwhiterussia]

Another:
“… Yesterday I was in town. I had a sitting in the Winter Palace which was extremely dull. Maria was there with me. As she was present at the sitting for the first time, Neidhardt decided to address to her with words of greeting. Everybody stood up and bowed to her. She was so terrified that nearly got down under the table.”
—    Grand Duchess Tatiana of Russia to her father, Nicholas II. 2 November, 1915.

[Olga Maria]

Thanks much for the full letter, Sarah!  Here is the translation of the other parts of the letter. I inserted the part which I posted above (and I ‘corrected’ them because Google translator gave a better translation now). It is still incomplete: the translated parts that don’t make sense to me are signified by (…) I apologize many times for the wrong grammar and if I’ve taken something out of context : (  But I assure you I haven’t exaggerated even a thing.


---------------------------------------------------------
My Dear Godmother,
Finally I have the time to write and thank you for the card. (…)We telegraphed N.A. number 15/VIII where we congratulate them on the birth of their son. I do not know whether it has reached them already. I would be terribly happy if you would write to me. Address it directly to me or in the name of Commissar Pankratov, to whom all correspondences go through. Well then the weather is wonderful today. It is about 18 degrees in the shade. So for a long time we are sitting on the garden or on the front yard where a part of the street is fenced for us.

All roads and streets have wooden planks laid on them, and in many places, the planks are rotten and have big hole. (…) However when it rains it becomes slippery. It is very nice we have a balcony where the sun shines on from morning to night. It is fun to sit there and watch the passersby on the street. That is our only amusement. We have a complete farm here; having lots of chickens, turkeys, ducks, five pigs and a cat. They live in the former governor’s stables. One time we accidentally saw a thief who jumped out [of the stables] and ran away. It seems he was looking for something but could not find it, so in the evening he came back.
Alexei feeds the animals every day. He and Papa dug a small duck pond, near the spot where we enjoy resting. From our windows we could see a beautiful view of the mountains and the upper town where a great cathedral stands. 

(…) and we play a bit of tennis, of course without a net. We do it as a practice. Then we walk back & forth. I won’t forget how long we walk, only 120 steps, which is much shorter than our deck*. On Sundays we have an obednitsa in the hall, and we have had it twice in the Church. Can you imagine what big pleasure it is for us after six months (……) There is a good church here (….) The right aisle is reserved only for us. It is near where we stay: we have to walk through the town across the road directly from us. We drive Mama through her [wheel]chair as she still finds it too difficult to walk. It is sad that she feels severe pain all the time in her face; it seems to be caused by her teeth and the dampness. The rest of us are healthy.  I hope all of you are, too. How is small Tikhon and his parents? (…) What do you do all day — how do you spend your time? By the way tell Grandmama that Tatischev is very touched that she remembers him. We all sit together in the evening while someone reads aloud. Others play dice, bezique, etc. We also have breakfast and drink tea together.

Very often we think of you all. I would like to see and talk to all of you. We have not seen each other for a long time and much time has already passed.
Have you heard of Maria P.’s wedding? We do not receive much news – how about you? Oh, I’m sorry, what I wrote you last time is 17/VIII.
Have you heard where Sasha M. (daughter of Vyebi L.)  is now, and what she is doing these days?
Whether you’re driving, or traveling around the neighborhood or to Yalta, I’ll wait for your letters. God bless you all. I hug you so tightly with all love. We pray for you.

Loving you very much,
Your goddaughter,
Tatiana

------------------------------------------------------

Definitely Inok Nikolai and his team have already translated this letter which we would just wait for. It is a better translation of this very entertaining letter by her. Tatiana is a very detailed writer, isn’t she? I love to read more letters from her! We see they led a very good and simple life in Tobolsk at that time despite of some restrictions and boredom. It makes me remember Maria’s wish of living there when asked about where she would live their new life (not sure but I think I read it from Buxhoeveden).
P.S. I am amused of their well-established letter-numbering system! They are really making sure the letters they sent had really been received by the people they addressed to. I understand their feelings when the ones they gave letters to wouldn’t be able to receive their letters! I feel sad their  lost letters haven’t survived to this time :’(

[edubs31]

Tatiana is a very detailed writer, isn’t she? I love to read more letters from her! We see they led a very good and simple life in Tobolsk at that time despite of some restrictions and boredom. It makes me remember Maria’s wish of living there when asked about where she would live their new life (not sure but I think I read it from Buxhoeveden).

I was thinking the same thing. That Tobolsk could have been nearly ideal for the girls and Alexei were it not for the circumstances and the fact that they were constantly under guard. They had simple tastes, modest demands, and seemed perfectly happy with each other's company. This is indeed a lovely letter from Tatiana. Thanks for the translation!