16 August 1904 (to Papa)
Dear Papa,

Today there is a strong rain and we are sitting at home. Maria went to sleep in the afternoon, and Anastasia crept under the mattress and slept there with Maria on top of her.

When she got up, we all laughed, and so did she. We are all waiting for you to return. Is the weather good where you are?

I have not seen Mama and our brother. I hope I will see them this evening before bath time. I send you a big kiss, dear Papa.

Olga

4 December 1908 (to Mama)
With all my heart I thank you, sweetest Mama, for your dear little note and kiss you tenderly for it and will never throw it away from me.  I will try to do what you wrote to me in the little note.  So sorry that I never see you alone, Mama dear, can not talk, so should try to write to you what could of course better say, but what is there to be done if there is no time, and neither can I hear the dear words which sweet Mama could tell me.  Good bye.

God bless you.  Kisses from your very own devoted daughter Olga.

13 January 1909 (to Mama)
My sweet, darling Mama,

I am going to write a letter to you since you wrote such a kind one to me.  I shall try to do all you wrote [to] me.  It is sometimes not a bit easy with Mary, because she is without reason angry and gets cross over nothing.

Mama, dear, it helps so much when you write to me what to do, and then I can try to do it better.

A loving kis from your ever true and very loving daughter Olga.

God bless you and your whole life.

21 December 1910 (to Lady Louise Mountbatten)

My dear Louise,

Did you get my last letter? I am quite lazy to write letters as I have not much time. We are working on Christmas presents and they must soon be ready for Germany. Shall I send you a box with our bonbons?

The weather is disgusting. It thaws and is very foggy and very wet.

We are doing nothing particular to interest you. I generally get up early to prepare my lessons for the next day. Today I did it too.

We have got a beautiful hill in the garden on which we fly down in little sledges which is awful fun. Sophie Ivanovna is very afraid when we go down in them. Forgive me please for writing so badly. I hurry very much but want to write more and can not as I have not a moment free.

Please give my love to your Mama, Dickie and Nona. Where is Georgie? and where will he be for Xmas, and your Papa? I should say with you.

I must stop, sending you tender kisses, dear Louise, I remain your very loving cousin Olga

8 February 1911 (to Lady Louise Mountbatten)

At last I am allowed to write. The chicken pox was too horrid. Three days I lay in bed as I had fever. Yesterday we all went out for the first time. The weather is divine, sunny but cold. The whole January was very cold.

How is Dickie? Poor boy, Mama said he was so ill.

We all had chicken pox except Marie who had only influenza. Now the poor little girl, Xenia, of Aunt Minnie's, is so very ill. She had the chicken pox too and now has peretonis; don't know how to spell this word, and something with the heart. She is very bad, poor child, and the doctors have little hope as also she is delicate and nervous.

Mama has gone for the first time to town to Amama and specially she goes to see poor Aunt Minnie who is in an awful state. Everybody is ill this winter and there is a lot of chicken pox in town. Papa goes often to town to the theatre, to the opera and French theatre. Did you get my last letter in the beginning of January? I think after the sixth when I was in the Opera. Now good-bye, dear Louise. Many kisses to you all, from your very loving cousin, Olga.

Undated, c 1911-12 (to Rasputin)
My priceless friend,

I often remember you, your visits to us and the talks we have about God.  It's hard without you--there's no one to turn to with my sorrows, and how many sorrows I have!  This is my torment.  Nikolai is driving me mad.  I only have to go into the cathedral and catch sight of him, and I'm ready to climb the wall, my whole body shakes.  [...] I love him. [...] I would just throw myself at him.  You advised me to proceed more cautiously, but how can I be more cautious when I can't control myself? [...] We drive to Anya's often.  Each time I wonder whether or not I'll meet you there, my priceless friend; oh, if only I could meet you there soon and ask for some advice about Nikolai!  

Pray for me and bless me.  I kiss your hands.  Your loving Olga.

3 April 1912 (to Mama)
Precious Mama,

God bless you, and help you not to be too sad.  It is awful to be on the beloved yacht without its sunshine whom we all miss frightfully.  How much more I should prefer remaining here with you than being on board without!  May He make you well again and all will be alright.  It must be very hard for you too, sweet love, but God will reward you for all of your sorrows.  All prayers and thoughts remain with you.  Good night.  I kiss you lovingly and remain your ever very true loving daughter Olga.

10 November 1913 (to Dowager Empress Maria Feodorovna)
Dear Grandmama,

I congratulate you with my whole heart on your birthday. May God bless you. The first November days were still like the summer, now they are colder, but clear and pleasant. We played tennis some days ago; Papa invited Count Sumarakov, a good tennis player, to play with us. The Emir of Buchara was with us at dinner, and today he drives off again and seems to regret that! We decorated ourselves with his necklaces. Today Tatiana and I will drive with Papa to Princess Bariatinskaya's, where she is hosting a ball and it begins at three o'clock. If it becomes warm, we will dance in the garden. Now good-bye, Grandmama dear. I embrace you firmly and kiss your hand.

Your loving grand-daughter Olga.

24 August 1915 (to Papa)
The weather was fine yesterday but it became colder by tea-time and started to rain. Shvybz [Anastasia] had breakfast with us but at the separate table in the sun. There were not so many wasps as there usually are. At 9 a.m. we were at the liturgy service in the Crypt Church. There were very many plump children who received the eucharist and I felt a strong temptation to rush at them and squeeze them. After that we went to the hospital to do the dressings. We finished it very soon as there were not many wounded. Then we went to play cricket. There was a lot of laughter and argument as we all deceived each other and played a very dishonest game. The wounded who couldn't walk were sitting in the arm- chairs and on the benches like in a theatre and laughed loudly. Anya read to us Volodya Paley's charming verses that had been copied by his Mama. This morning we went to the hospital as usually. We were very happy when Mama came by the end of the dressings. But the weather is awful: it's raining and cold and foggy. We had breakfast upstairs in the playing-room as Alexei's arm hurts a bit. He is sorry that he can't write to you today. We spent an hour there. M. Gilliard was reading something to Alexei. Alexei showed to us his magic lantern before and after tea. Now I am in Mama's Mauve Room sitting at the window. We've just come down. She was going to rest but was reminded that Ordin and Apraksin were waiting, so she had to receive them upstairs. A tuner is working in the Red Room and is getting on my nerves pressing one and the same key many times.

9 October 1915 (to Papa)
I am sitting in Mr. Gilliard's rooms near the door of his water-closet where Trina's little nasty girl Katya is sitting locked in by Anastasia and myself. We've just drawn her along the dark passage and pushed her in. The weather became very cold and it was snowing today and the snow didn't melt. We had a lot of fun when we went for a drive with Isa but Mama was receiving visitors all the time which was rather dull. Mordvinov had breakfast with us and told us a lot of interesting things but we interrupted him every moment as usually and didn't let him go on. It's always a great pleasure for us to read Alexei's letters. He writes such nice and funny letters without Pyotr Vasilievich's help. Katya is still locked in the W.C. She is knocking and wailing behind the door but we are implacable.

31 December 1915 (to Papa)
My darling Papa!

My warmest wishes to you for the new year.  God bless you.  We are going to the new yaer party at the local military infirmary.  The weather is cold and I've got a cold.  As usual, we visited the infirmary in the morning.  Everything is all right there.  Do you recognize this paper that you and Mama gave me as a new year's present?  Now I finish.  Again and again I wish you, my dear Papa, all the happiness in the world.  I love you so much, I hold you tight in my arms.

Yours, Elizavetgradets.

I send my regards to Silayev and Mordvinov.

4 March 1916 (to Papa)
On the first day of your departure we and Isa [Sophia Buxhoeveden] went for a drive in the troika but without little bells because of the fast, then we went to the Tower. Everybody was there as usually. Feodotov did not give very many orders; perhaps he was upset by the fact that you were not there. Sidor Menyailo was in his best of moods. He was very merry and carried big lumps of snow and sometimes small ones fell on his cap from the Tower's top but he didn't mind it. Now I am sitting in Mama's room after breakfast. She is lying on the couch. Tatiana is having a class. Alexei is having a rest. Maria and Anastasia are in the Grand Palace.

6 March 1916 (to Papa)
They say the Tower is growing fast.  I didn't see it for some time but tomorrow I'll visit it by all means.  Sisters and Alexei were Anya's hospital today to watch the conjurer.  They say he was a success.  Mama is now wriggling on the sofa.  She is reading such an interesting and terrifying book that it makes her hold her breath.

16 December 1916 (to Papa)
What a merry breakfast we've had today! It's so surprising. Two Benkendorffs, Madame Zizi, Resin (Lizochka), Apraksin, Anya, Trina, Nastenka and Isa. I sat in your place with a very important air between two old women and tried to amuse them but it's usually a difficult thing to do in this library. I blush easily and feel a silly idiot.

18 February 1917 (to Valentina Tchebotariova, fellow nurse)
Dear Valentina Ivanovna!

I am thinking of you today and kiss you very fondly. May the Lord preserve your Grisha.

Sister O. Romanova

29 May 1917 (to M. Komstadius)
Darling Musya!

Thanks for all the beautiful cards.  It is very warm, and at last all the lilac is out.  The kitchen garden prospers, but there isn't much work.  Now we cut and saw dry trees in the garden.  Papa and Mama send greetings.  I embrace you.  

Olga.

12 July 1917 (to Vera Komstadius)
Dear Vera Vladimirovna!

I am warmly touched and thank you for the good wishes.  We all send our regards.  Our vegetable garden flourishes.  We've also helped with the harvesting of hay, and I learned to mow!  Bless you.

O.

30 July 1917 (to Lili Dehn)
I kiss you most tenderly and thank you ,Lili, with all my heart, for the postcard and little ikon. May God keep you. Olga.

19 June 1917
Dear old P. V. P. (Pyotr Vasilievich Petrov),

Thank you very much for your letter. How glad I am that you are finally well, and once again in Tsarskoe. After foul Petrograd, of course, the air here will bring you health and quickly replenish your strength. You probably heard from Zhilik about how we spend our days. We walk every day from 2 to 5. We work in the garden. If it isn't too stifling, Mama also comes out and lies on a couch under a tree by the water. Papa walks (with many others) to the outer reaches of the garden, where they chop and saw dry trees. Alexei plays on the "children's island," runs barefoot, and sometimes swims. Never unbending her back, Trina weeds and waters the flower beds. Sometimes we also do the watering, including the roses that we planted nearby, opposite Grandmama's windows. Studies are taking their own course. Maria and I study English together. She reads to me aloud and, if it's not too hot, takes dictation. She and I study history two times a week. Russian history according to Nechvolodov's book. He describes everything really well and in detail. Right now, we've stopped on the folk heroes (epics). Two times a week, Anastasia and I read about the history of the Middle Ages according to Konst. Amn.'s texbook. Though that's a lot harder, since my memory for all these events is atrocious, but hers is no better. I divided up my own hours (the free ones) for reading (boring things): history of art, French hist., general hist., and Russian lit. according to Galakhov. There! I think that's all. Mama sends you regards, happy that you are better and so forth. Everyone sends greetings.

All the best to you,
Your pupil No. 1 O. N.

10 October 1917 (to Pyotr Petrov)
Your long letter reminded me that I have not once written to you, dear old Pyotr Vasilievich, for which I apologize.

We were very glad to learn that you are better.  I hope it will stay that way.  All is well with us; everyone is on good health.  The weather is good.

Today it is sunny and thawing, while for the first few days of October it was almost hot.  It changes so quickly!  My brother and sisters have started lessons.

I am writing to you in the big hall, where the four of us have tea together.  Our brother is playing with his soldiers at a seperate table.  M[aria] and A[nastasia] are reading at the window; Mama and Tatiana are playing at something.  Papa is reading nearby.  They all send their greetings, as do I.  All my best wishes.  We often remember with Zhilk how we used to torment poor old P.V.P. during lessons, and so many other things!

Your pupil No. 1 Olga

Papa sends you best regards.

12 November 1917 (to Pytor Petrov)
I thank you, dear old P.V.P., for your letter which I received today, a month after you sent it!  It arrived in Tobolsk 31 Oct[ober]  (I saw it from the stamp) and I can't understand what it was doing until now.  I have nothing of interest to tell you, as our life is quiet and monotonous.  On Sundays we go to church at 8:30 in the morning, while vespers are held in the hall.  The choir are amateurs, their voices aren't bad, but they sing in a concert style, which I can't abide, although many people admire it.   They warned us so much about the harsh climate here, yet winter has not still settled in completely.  One day there is frost and a slight wind, the next it's two degrees and everything is thawing and unbelievably slippery!  The sunrises are always very clear and beautiful, despite overcast days.  The Irtysh is long since frozen over.  I think that is all the news!

We were intending to build a snow mountain, but there is very little snow.  Papa usually saws and stacks firewood, while Mama goes out when it is not too cold, otherwise it's difficul for her to breathe.  Joy, Ortino and Jimmy are flourishing.  We have to spend the whole day chasing the first two out of the yard, where they have a wonderful time in the rubbish tip and eat all sorts of filth.

Well, it's time to end.  Everyone here sends their best regards and wishes you good health.  How is your father?  All my best wishes.

Pupil No. 1 Olga

26 December 1917 (to Margarita Khitrovo)
How do you do Ritka dear!

Your letter from the seventh was obtained yesterday in the evening and I thank you greatly for it. I wrote to you on the fourth, and I don't know if you will get it or not. Here it is already the holidays. The fir tree we have is in the hall and gives off a wonderful smell, in no way like at Tsarskoe Selo. This is a special type called a balsamic fir tree. It smells strongly of oranges and along the trunk resin always flows. There are no ornaments, only silver rain and wax candles from the church. After dinner into Christmas Eve, we gave gifts out to all, a larger part of them embroideries. When all was assorted and ready to be given, I was reminded of the charitable markets in Yalta. You do remember such preparations? The night service was at ten in the evening and the candles on the tree burned. It was beautiful and comfortable. The chorus was large and it sang well, only it is too "concerto," and I do not like it. Ritka, do you know that we have not a line and generally nothing from Lili from August, which is sufficiently strange. We know only from your letters that she was in Odessa. Really, did she forget about our existence? I am writing to you in the large hall, on the huge table, where the soldiers are placed. Somewhere further Papa and the others drink coffee, but Mama did not get up yet. The sun seems bright and shines on a paper through my right shoulder. These days there has been snow and our mountain grows. If you could, please transmit regards to all. Katya writes, and Sonya also. Bibi has been silent three months, and Alya still longer! Isa arrived, but is in the house where the retinue lived. We see her only from the window. Now I finish. I wish you much happiness in the coming year, Ritka mine. Everyone sends greetings. Mama kisses and is healthy. God be with you.

Your Olga.

21 January 1918 (to Margarita Khitrovo)
Thank you, darling, for your letter of the 28th. Four of your letters were obtained with today's mail, and two postcards from Odessa. It seems I'm writing for the fifth time since November. Two packets from Yalta were obtained, I already wrote about it to you, and the first letter from Zinochka (Z. S. Tolstaya), with perfumes and so forth. I send this letter with Prankratov, since I hope it will then reach you faster and you could write me directly. All the same, all letters must bear it, and then they are distributed. I was glad to haer of Guli. We frequently converse in an amiable way. You do recall the past fir tree, as it was cozy, do you remember? We got postcards yesterday from Bibi, and recently from Olya. And you?

These days it has become very cold and windy. In the morning it was 29 degrees. Today it is warmer, but the wind blows strongly. We go to take walks. In spite of the intense furnace, the rooms are cold--8 degrees! The wind blows strongly against the windows, which are now covered in ice. In the corridors it is warmer, so we usually sit there. When we freeze in the garden, we walk to the much warmer kitchen (where there are masses of cockroaches), and then we go for another walk. Yesterday we again watered the mountain and it began to crack because of the frost. I hear the wind. We've all studied little French plays and on holiadys they are acted out. While it's all quite ridiculous, it's cheerful. The tree (without ornaments) till now stands in the hall and isn't crumbling. If we rub the branches, it smells like tangerines. This is some special type--tundra.

To all, I send regards. But you, darling, I strongly, strongly embrace you, and love you. God bless you. Olga

22 January 1918 (to Anna Vyrubova)
Dearest, we were so glad to hear from you.  How cold it is these days, and what a strong wind!  We have just come back from a walk.  On our window it is written "Anna darling" -- I wonder who wrote it.  God bless you, dear.  Be well.  Your Olga.

Give my love to all who remember me.

6 February 1918 (to Grand Duchess Ksenia Aleksandrovna)
Aunt Ksenia, my darling,

I was so happy when I got your long letter. Thank you so much for writing. Thank God that everything is fine at Ai-Todor; it is the same with us--there is no reason to complain so far! The weather is not at all Siberian. They say it's gotten as up to 40 degrees in the mountains and the fields; here the highest it's been is 29 degrees, but with wind, which is very unpleasant. It's almost always sunny, and it's particularly bright here. Now it is dark already, but the moon is rather bright, and there are so many stars. Very beautiful sunsets--Aunt Olga would gladly paint them. We have gotten some more snow recently, and our hill is progressing. Sometimes it is very small, about the height of the fence, but that is good too, since we can see people passing by below. Sometimes they stop and stare, and when the guard is angry he shoos them away. At such times we quickly run off--first of all to prevent a crowd from forming, and second of all so that we are not sent off as well, which would be rather gruesome; but for now everything is fine. We work desperately, and Maria hit her eye rather badly not so long ago. It's still all swollen and purple above and below it. She always figures out some way to hurt herself, but doesn't whine. Sometimes a little boy named Misha, who is being educated by one of the guards from the first regiment, comes to us for a ride, and once someone came from the fourth regiment, and sometimes the dogs come. As you can tell, the guests are not many, but very pleasant. I am writing to you while sitting on a chest in the corridor -- it is somehow warmer and cozier. Nastasia sends you a kiss. She is sitting nearby, knitting socks. My brother is already in bed. M. Gilliard is reading something out loud to him before Mama and Papa come. Right now the old soldiers are being sent away, and people are slowly leaving, which is sad, since those are the best people... It's so lucky that Tobolsk is far from the railroad -- Tyumen is about 300 versts from here, and the road to there is not the best. In quite a few places we have to pass by Irtysh, which is very expensive. As soon as we get to Tyumen, everyone's things are immediately taken away, even from the soldiers. One hears such curious things that, were one unaware of the destruction and demolition, there could be much to laugh about.

Mama has already gone to my brother, Nastasia has stopped M. Gilliard on the way, and is irritating and making fun of him as much as she can. When it is cold, Papa walks like Yashik. How is he feeling? Do his friends write him? Bow to him for us all... What was it that I wanted to tell you... Oh, yes, Pankratov is not with us anymore. He was "thrown off" as the snipers here say...

Elena Petrovna sometimes writes us, telling us that Mari and Guli are expecting a baby, and Aunt Mavra has declared that Ioannchik has become an archdeacon and is going even further. He is terribly happy, but his wife does not approve. I can understand her. To be the wife of a priest is not very jolly, in my opinion. Well, I'll finish up tomorrow. I need to join everyone. I'll play bridge with Trina, Valya, and Botkin. The others are all playing bezique or working, and Papa is reading out loud from Leskov.

Well, I continue. Absolutely nothing happened today. Actually, if I had the chance, I could tell you all sorts of interesting and funny stories. I've got a lot of those from this past year. It's so sad that they changed the dates. We just don't know what to do. We learn different funny plays and perform them Sunday nights. Sometimes it's very fun. I apologize about this disorganized letter, but my thoughts always jump from one thing to another when I write.

"The family's post" is having quite a jolly time with its two bachelor sons in Kislovodsk, as is to be expected. We have just learned how to develop pictures. Maria is the best at it. Just now Liza ran in here and asks me to kiss your paw, and all the others. Well, time to go to practice. Hugs to everyone and best wishes. I kiss you heartily, my little Auntie Ksenia, and I love you.

May God bless you.

Your Olga.

28 April 1918 (to Tatiana Botkina)
Thank you, dear Tanya, for this cherished good news!  We also recieved a letter the 23rd.  But it does not contain any details.  Maria writes that your father devotes part of his nights to correspondence.  It appears to me that he once fell asleep in his bath-tub! All things are in God's hands.  Together, we greet you like Gleb.  I kiss you tenderly and thank you once again.  Olga R.