Genealogy Chat

I have a relation who never married,well educated and became the governess to the Tsar of Russia's children.My aunt had a letter from her in 1917 from Tbilisi in Russia (now Georgia) and never heard anymore,so she was obviously caught up in the revolution.Her name was Ada Foster born in Northwich Cheshire in 1854,to a Samuel and Susanna Foster.I doubt there is anyway to find out more,especially the Russian part. What do you think? Brenda

No, not completely impossible... Were her parents still alive at the time? May she have been recorded on a family gravestone? Are there any reports in the local newspaper? Were her family church goers - there may be something mentioned about the lady in the parish magazine. I have a book here about the Tsar and Tsarina, and I have to say that it reports that the children had a TUTOR (male), who is believed to have died with the family, when they were sent into exile. I will check the book more thoroughly and come back to this thread if I find anything. OC

The tutor who died with the Russian Imperial family was one of many governesses and tutors employed. They had tutors for specific subjects, so she may have been teaching English? I have googled her name to no effect but there are books on Amazon which are to do with the education of the royal children. Jack

From a quick flick through - Ada Foster is not specifically mentioned - all members of the Royal Household who had 'foreign' names (i.e. not Russian) were released before the Royal Family were sent to exile. OC

If you are wanting to try to find ANY mention of her during her time in Russia, try the custodian of the Mountbatten papers. Lord Mountbatten's mother and the Tsarina were sisters and the families spent holidays together. He corresponded with the children of the Russian Royal family (his cousins.) You could also write to the Royal archives at Windsor - incase there is any mention of her in arrangements made for the Russian children on any of their visits here. Long shots, but I'd try anything. Jay

Hi Brenda, There is no record of any birth in GRO records for 1854 under Ada Foster. There is no census record that I can find recording her parents, but I have found one in 1881 census for a Ada G Foster. b:1854 Northwich, Cheshire, age 27, occupation:assistand teacher, un-married at The Orphan Institution Moore Edge, Jesmond, Northumberland....... I cannot find her in any other census - maybe she was orphaned as a child, maybe illegitimate, brought up in a an orphanage, and decided to work as Assistand Teacher [officer] at Moor Edge. Its possible that she may have gone to Geoprgia as a governess [teacher] in later years as this is the last entry I can find for her. Good luck, David

You presumably have found her on the 1861, 1871 and 1881 censuses? Her name appears to be Ada Young Forster (not Foster). I can't find her in 1891 and perhaps she was already abroad by then? By 1917 she would have been 63 and it is always possible that she may have died anyway by then. I've no idea if records exist in Russia but I wonder if it would be woth checking the overseas deaths on the GRO? I believe they are available on 'findmypast'. Anne

Hello Brenda, Having just read your posting it occurred to me that I have a book of photographs taken by Queen Alexandra, wife to Edward 7th.I do not have it to hand but it does contain photographs of the Russian royal family including the children. I will find it and have a look, just in case it mentions anything re tutors. Will get back to asap. Rose

It would seem that she was no longer in the Royal Household in 1917, then. The Tutor of English to the daughters of the Tsar was a Sydney Gibbes. The Imperial family favoured English speaking tutors and the family routinely spoke in English. All four girls were far too old to have a governess by 1917, and Alexei, the heir, had a personal body servant/tutor who cared for all his bodily needs, carrying him around. So, why did Ada stay in Russia, how did she finish up in Georgia - did she marry? I still think the best chance of any information is from this end of things - for instance, her father, a General Practitioner, must have surely left a Will? OC

Sorry, several photo's of the tsar's children but none of any help I'm afraid. Rose

Thankyou everyone.you have given me some ideas. I know her father died c 1880,and her mother married again. We had wondered if she had died of natural causes,but it does seem strange that she wrote in 1917,apparently,not about the state of Russia,but,normal everyday things.I haven't seen this myself,but my cousin has it somewhere(I do hope she has a look for it!) The Ada you found is certainly the correct one,and you have a bit more than I already had,so that has been a lot of help to me. Brenda update. We have no more knowledge about why she stayed in Russia,and she didn.t marry.I have only had this info of the Russian bit today from my cousin,as all of a sudden they have found an interest,after I have been asking questions. I will try and get them to find this letter. Brenda. I do think she was teaching English,and was only one of a number.

Hi Brenda. Google this 'english tutors'tsar Fascinating reading about the Royal Household. Maybe there is something hidden there !!! Malcolm.