Anna circa 1953, Anastasia 1916
Did Grand Duchess Anastasia Nikolaievna Romanova survive the execution in 1918?
In the mid 1990's, DNA tests were performed on the bones found in Yekaterinburg. Shortly thereafter, attempts were made to collect samples of Anna Anderson in order to compare the results. Because Anna had wanted to be cremated, the only other sources were a tissue sample from a surgery in 1979, a lock of hair found on a bookshelf at Anna's home, and finally a drop of blood found on a glass slide in Germany which would produce sufficient DNA results desired. The outcome was that none of the samples matched with the results of any of the Romanov bones; so this proved that not only could not have been Anastasia, but that she could not have been Tatiana or any other of the sisters as well. And to top it off, the samples did in fact match a blood sample collected from a great-nephew of Franziska Shatskivska the missing Polish factory worker, concluding the invalidity of Anna's claim of being the long lost Grand Duchess Anastasia ("Her Imperial Highness Grand Duchess Anastasia" 33).
Since 1991, many people have searched for the two missing bodies in Yekaterinburg, but without any luck. Scientists and doctors who have examined the bodies have determined that there are in fact two missing, but cannot agree on which ones; either Maria or Anastasia. The fact is, that on the day of the funeral, they buried the body of what they believed to be Her Imperial Highness Grand Duchess Anastasia Nikolaievna Romanova ("HIH Grand Duchess Anastasia" 6-7).
Her Imperial Highness Grand Duchess Anastasia Homepage
Where Anastasia Lived (St. Petersburg in Particular)
Anastasia's Brother and Sisters
Myths and Legends: Anna Anderson
Course Home Page: "St. Petersburg: Miracle. Mystery. Authority!"
St. Lawrence University Homepage
The Nutcracker-Story and Music
last update: 24 April 2003
