The Russian Revolution; What happened to Who?

[Marengo]

This thread is created to discuss the members of the Romanov family during the last revolution, in other words: what happened to who?

[Marengo]

Princess Elena Petrovna of Russia (born Jelena of Serbia) was imprisoned in Perm I believe. She later was able to leave the country with her two children Vsevolod and Catherine on a Swedish ship, together with her mother-in-law Grand Duches Elisabeth Mavrikievna and Elisabeths two youngest children Prince George and princess Vera of Russia.

Elena's husband, Prince Ioann Constantinovtich was one of the Romanovs that were thrown into the mine at Alapaevsk. Apparently Elena accompanied her husband first, and voluntairily. She left later to take care of her two children though. I wonder why was she allowed to leave? Because she was a Serbian princess maybe?

[Anna was Franziska]

There is a very long story of her ordeal and escape from Russia which is one of the more interesting stories. She did not have the children with her, they were with her mother in law and she met them later in Sweden. It was said that the children were so traumatized they didn't remember her. It's in the book "Romanov Autumn" by Charlotte Zeepvat.(sp?)

[Anna was Franziska]

Other interesting stories of those who got away:

Sophie Buxhoevedon(lady in waiting) traveled with Sidney Gibbes, Pierre Gilliard(tutors) and a few others across Siberia, eventually making it to Vladivostock where she took a ship from Japan to Hawaii, another to San Francisco, train across the US, boat from NY back to her family in Denmark. They were all separated from the royal family in Ekaterinburg because the Bolsheviks didn't want to anger other countries by harming foreign nationals (Gibbes was British, Gilliard Swiss) Sophie was Russian born, but had a Danish name they took for Swedish. That probably saved her life. The group met with many perils along the way and were in almost constant fear for their lives. It was only after meeting up with the British military in Omsk that they found safe passage out of Russia.

Anna Vyrubova, best friend of Alexandra, was first arrested by Kerensky on suspicion of being guilty of in league with Rasputin to overthrow the gov't. As fate would have it, she was in prison when the Romanovs were sent to Siberia, so she couldn't go with them. She was released by the Provisional Gov't after a few months, but imprisoned by the Bolsheviks several times. She had one of the more theatrical and interesting escapes- on her way to be executed, she managed to lose herself in the city crowd with the help of some old friends and fans of her father who just happened to be there (he was a composer) Though she got away, she still spent a long time hiding in horrible conditions and frightening situations, in and out of prison and in frequent danger. She was finally able to leave Russia in Dec. 1920 when her mother sold her last necklace to pay for their passage on a boat which snuck refugees over to Finland. She eventually became a nun and lived to be 80 years old.

The Dowager Empress, her daughter Xenia, and Xenia's whole family, including son in law Felix Yussoupov and Felix's parents, all left the Crimea on the British ship HMS Marlborough. They, too, had been in danger of being killed by the Bolsheviks before. There are very long and interesting stories about this if anyone is interested.

Olga Alexandrovna, whose husband was basically a common soldier, and their two little boys had one of the easiest times getting out of Russia, but faced other ordeals later when they were accused of hiding Russian deserters at their home in Denmark, forcing them to move to Canada.

Alexei Volkov, valet for the family, made a run for it as he and two other prisoners were being taken out and shot. He made it, and wrote his memoirs.

Grand Duke Dmitri Pavlovich also survived the revolution by a twist of fate. He had been stationed in Persia as a punishment for his involvement in the Rasputin murder, and because he was there instead of in Russia, he was able to make his way to Europe safely. He lived in Paris where he dated wealthy socialite Coco Chanel, but eventually married American heiress Audrey Emery. After their divorce, Audrey took her son Paul home to America with her. He served in the US Marines in Korea, and in his later years was elected mayor of Palm Beach, FL. He passed away in 2004. His offspring still live in that area under the name Illynski. Dmitri died of TB in Switzerland in 1941.

[Jason R Maier esq]

The others that were thrown into the mine pit were Grand Duke Sergei Mikhailovich, Prince Igor Konstantinovich, Prince Ioann Konstantinovich, Prince Konstantin Konstantinovich, Grand Duchess Elizabeth Fyodorovna, and Vladimir Pavlovich Paley . . . . .

All the bodies but Elizabeth's were later buried in an Orthodox Monestary in Beijing, which was later demolished during the Cultural Revolution in the 60's

[lexi4]

Nicholas's brother Micheal was executed. His wife, Natalia Romanova, escaped. She died of cancer in 1952.

[lucien]

Originally Posted by lexi4

Nicholas's brother Micheal was executed. His wife, Natalia Romanova, escaped. She died of cancer in 1952.

Misha's secretary,Johnson (british citizen),was shot point blanc as he wanted to leave the carriage that brought both him and Misha to a deserted forest road,Misha,who had left the carriage first,was shot next as he tryed to come to Johnson's aid.Killed like animals,by scum.

[lexi4]

Originally Posted by lucien

Misha's secretary,Johnson (british citizen),was shot point blanc as he wanted to leave the carriage that brought both him and Misha to a deserted forest road,Misha,who had left the carriage first,was shot next as he tryed to come to Johnson's aid.Killed like animals,by scum.

Right on Lucien. They were killed like animals. But imo, anytime killing is involved it is like animals.

[sinuhe]

GD Olga Alexandrovna left finally for Canada, as you said. She lived on the second floor of a hairdresshop belonging to a russian couple, they took care or her until she died early 60'.

Prince Paley was so young, I have seen photos of him and his murder is moving. He did not died inmediatly, and GD Ella help him, in vain. All died...

[Marengo]

GD Xenia was able to leave with her mother on the Marlborough, no? I vaguely recall reading that when she left she looked at the shore and saw glittering lights, which was apparently her silverware (I believe Corine Hall and John van der Kiste's bio mentioned that). Any idea why she put the silverware on the beach in the first place?

[Warren]

From Royalty Digest Quarterly, #1 2007, by Princess Olga Romanoff:

The escape from Russia

"All of the family silver had been packed into chests for loading and as the ship [HMS Marlborough] sailed away, the captain handed his binoculars to the Dowager Empress for a final glimpse of the Crimea. The Dowager Empress is believed to have said "What are all those little black things along the shore?" "Madam", he replied, "That is your silver!". The servants had been so afraid of being left behind that they had forgotten to load the chests, and she retorted "It doesn't matter; we are just so grateful to be alive." (She had, however, managed to take her personal jewel box worth half a million pounds and a box containing a Fabergé egg; making her the only rightful owner to leave Russia with such a treasure in her possession.)"

[Avicenna]

Originally Posted by Warren

From Royalty Digest Quarterly, #1 2007, by Princess Olga Romanoff:

The escape from Russia

"All of the family silver had been packed into chests for loading and as the ship [HMS Marlborough] sailed away, the captain handed his binoculars to the Dowager Empress for a final glimpse of the Crimea. The Dowager Empress is believed to have said "What are all those little black things along the shore?" "Madam", he replied, "That is your silver!". The servants had been so afraid of being left behind that they had forgotten to load the chests, and she retorted "It doesn't matter; we are just so grateful to be alive." (She had, however, managed to take her personal jewel box worth half a million pounds and a box containing a Fabergé egg; making her the only rightful owner to leave Russia with such a treasure in her possession.)"

mmm .... that's weird, from what I remember out of the memories of Prince Roman Romanov the Dowager Empress insisted on leaving last the Crimea in order to make sure all other refugees could escape, too. Therefor Captain Johnson had to spend another two days in Jalta ... should have been sufficient time to return to Djulber and get the rest of the silver on board. Also the prince remembers that it was already getting dark when the ship left Djulber ... he could not make Djulber out when the Marlborough left.

But at least the Dowager Empress had not left her dog behind there were obviously four quadruped on board! The dachshound of Prince Roman, the ones of the Dowager Empress and his aunt Xenia and the one of Nikita.

[Warren]

Originally Posted by Avicenna

mmm .... that's weird...

We could also wonder why the crew of the warship didn't lend a hand in getting the chests on board. It's hard to believe they just stood around watching. More likely, a romantic version was told to the family and the Marlborough's captain had a different story. Note that Princess Olga chooses her words carefully: "the Dowager Empress is believed to have said..."

[AGRBear]

Does anyone know how many traveling trunks (taken aboard and left) there were?

I am sure there were a lot, so, I think it's quite possible that the servents had a good reason to be afraid because if all the trunks had been loaded I bet there wouldn't have been any room for anyone, including the Captain.

AGRBear

[Warren]

The HMS Marlborough was a 25,000 ton battleship. Plenty of room for the Dowager Empress's trunks, and plenty of crew (over 900) to help get them aboard.
See here.

ETA.. added image of HMS Marlborough. Photograph courtesy of Wikipedia, free use provision.

[Avicenna]

Originally Posted by Warren

We could also wonder why the crew of the warship didn't lend a hand in getting the chests on board. It's hard to believe they just stood around watching. More likely, a romantic version was told to the family and the Marlborough's captain had a different story. Note that Princess Olga chooses her words carefully: "the Dowager Empress is believed to have said..."

Thanks, Warren. I appreciate your remark. It's definitely necessary to be aware of the precise expression. Danke.

[Avicenna]

Originally Posted by Warren

The HMS Marlborough was a 25,000 ton battleship. Plenty of room for the Dowager Empress's trunks, and plenty of crew (over 900) to help get them aboard.
See here.

ETA.. added image of HMS Marlborough. Photograph courtesy of Wikipedia, free use provision.

As the Dowager Empress insisted that everybody (family/friends/servants) should get the possibility to leave the Crimea, there were numerous guests on board: among others Roman with his parents (Pjotr Romanov and Militza von Montenegro, his aunt Xenia, his uncle Nikolascha (Nikolai the Younger) and his aunt Stana (Anastasia of Montenegro), two elderly ladies the Princess Dolorukaja and the Princess Jusupowa, etc. Not to mention the servants.

Captain Johnson had to get additional supplies from Sewastopol as well as another dozen seamen. The number of passengers was by far higher than forseen by the Admirality. Therefor it might have been a bit cramped.

[OlgaNikolaievna]

The Marlborough was not the only ship carrying people away that day. When word spread that they were leaving on the British ship, people in the town, even very poor people, wanted to go too because they were afraid of the Bolsheviks. It is said that the Dowager Empress would not leave until the British Navy brought in other ships to carry away all those who wanted to refugee out of the Crimea. Many came along, though due to the needs of the warships which had to move onto other duties, the majority of them were put out at the first stop in Constantinople, and to this day there is a poor community of Russian refugees who had to settle there.

[AGRBear]

THE FLIGHT OF THE ROMANOVSby Perry and Pleshakov p. 217:

>>The [Dowager] Empress had agreed to leave but only on the condition that the British take aboard their ships all the sick and wounded and all other people in Yalta wanting to get out of Russia. Minnie said that a Russian empress could not flee if so many Russians were abandoned.<<

>><<Bending their instructions in order to meet the demands of the dowager, the British managed to gather the requiste number of ships to take aboard all in Yalta wanting to leave, and those who were to go gathered on the mole.>>"It was a sad sight: all those refugees, most of whom were old and sick, and all of whom were crushed by grief at leaving their homeland, sitting on bundles and rugs (trucks were fobidden) as they waited to be taken aboard the steamers." Instead of the Marlbourgh sailing first as had been the plan, the ship lifted anchor only after the last steamer had embarked its crowd of refugees. And so the dowager,"like a mother, covered the retreat of her children."<<

Date of embarkation was 8 April 1919.

I am sure that the people, who were given the area where the dowager trunks with her silver, were extremely grateful.

Has there ever been published the number of people, who weren't connected with the Romanovs, were on all of these ships and steamers?

In another book I've read about this was in Hall's LITTLE MOTHER OF RUSSIA. On page 319, he write:

>>After dark they sailed for Yalta, where the ships guns covered the port as the evacuation continued for another three days. When the rumors spread tht the Dowager Empress was leaving panic set in. People abandoned all their possessions and hurried to the waterfront to try and get on the Allied ships. Dagmar insisted that the Marlborugh must be last to leave and said she would personally explain to Admiral Calthorpe why they were late arriving in Constantinople.<<

>>As the Bolsheviks closed in, Dagmar was besieged by people begging to be taken on board which, to her distress, she found was impossible. People streamed onto Yalta pier in ever-increaing numbers. In the chaos and panic families became separated and many of the refugees had only the clothes they stood up in.<<

>>There were nineteen members of the Imperial family with their maids, manservants, governesses and officials of their households; in addition to 1,170 crew, 200 tons of luggage and a fortune in jewels. <<

Date of embarkation from Yalta was 11 April 1919

How many lives weren't saved because the Romanovs couldn't part with 200 tones of luggage or their dogs or their cats..?

Yes, perhaps my tone is a bit curt but then I feel I have a good reason because my relatives, who were left on the docks, were never heard from again, because the Bolsheviks starved them [mostly the very young, women, old men) to death (they didn't allow anyone to feed "kulacks") and executed the husbands and son. These people had remained loyal to the Romanovs, despite their flaws and their inability to understand the needs of their faithful.

One particular relative, who refused to allow the Bolsheviks to take his beautiful horses, drove them to the beach and then into the sea. The last anyone saw him or his horses was as they vanished on the horizon....

AGRBear

[Russophile]

Oh wow Bear. I don't know what to say. . . .