Romanov Pretender. Smetisko ("Smith") was one of several people who claimed to be Grand Duchess Anastasia, daughter of Nicholas II. She at first claimed to have a manuscript of Anastasia's autobiography, left with her by the Grand Duchess, a claim which failed a lie detector test. Smith then claimed she actually was Anastasia, and passed a second lie detector test. However, her claim was rejected by handwriting experts, two anthropologists who questioned her, and the Russian Orthodox Church. Depsite this, Life magazine featured her claims in an article in 1963, after which Smith became well known in New York society. In 1995 Smith refused to take a DNA test to prove her claim. Upon her death in 1997, she was buried in Orthodox tradition. According to naturalization papers completed when she emigrated to the United States in 1922, her real name was Eugenia Drabnek Smetisko, and she was born January 25, 1899.
Romanov Pretender. Smetisko ("Smith") was one of several people who claimed to be Grand Duchess Anastasia, daughter of Nicholas II. She at first claimed to have a manuscript of Anastasia's autobiography, left with her by the Grand Duchess, a claim which failed a lie detector test. Smith then claimed she actually was Anastasia, and passed a second lie detector test. However, her claim was rejected by handwriting experts, two anthropologists who questioned her, and the Russian Orthodox Church. Depsite this, Life magazine featured her claims in an article in 1963, after which Smith became well known in New York society. In 1995 Smith refused to take a DNA test to prove her claim. Upon her death in 1997, she was buried in Orthodox tradition. According to naturalization papers completed when she emigrated to the United States in 1922, her real name was Eugenia Drabnek Smetisko, and she was born January 25, 1899.
Inscription
Evgenia Smetisko Birth 18 VI 1901 Death: 31 January 1997
Gravesite Details
cared for with simple wooden Orthodox Cross with a white birch tree immediately behind it
