alexdefircks.bsky.social
@alexdefircks.bsky.social
Family historian, writer and storyteller, https://www.alexdefircks.com/
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Do you like to support your local businesses? I do. So do you know you can order Upheaval through your local bookshop? Just give them the details below and support your local bookshop.
Recently @downingfield.bsky.social interviewed me about the 2nd edition of Upheaval, you can watch it on their YouTube channel youtu.be/M8n4-z99Jbw?...
Alex de Fircks discusses her grandmother Olga Woronoff and her family's history of Russian nobility
YouTube video by Downingfield Press
youtu.be
February 8, 2026 at 6:03 AM
Many people know Grand Duchess Olga had a crush on my grandfather, but how many of you know my grandmother was a friend of the Grand Duchesses?

You can read letters between the Grand Duchesses and my grandmother in the 2nd edition of Upheaval available through @downingfield.bsky.social
February 3, 2026 at 8:34 PM
Looking at old family photos for this week's blog post - can you see the similarities? www.alexdefircks.com/three-photos...
Three photos of three generations along the matrilineal line, all around the same age - Alex de Fircks
I’m very lucky to have these family photos. They are a very small sample of the many photos I inherited. Unfortunately, they are also an example of improperly
www.alexdefircks.com
January 18, 2026 at 2:49 AM
A different perspective indeed! What a wonderful story.
January 11, 2026 at 8:07 PM
When was my grandfather really born? Which date should I use? Family historians will understand the issues here. www.alexdefircks.com/my-grandfath...
My grandfather was born in 1886 but, thanks to Lenin, his birthday was changed to 1887 - Alex de Fircks
Today, January 11th, was my grandfather's birthday. Or was it? My grandfather, Pavel Voronov (Paul Woronoff) was born on December 29, 1886, or was he? I have
www.alexdefircks.com
January 11, 2026 at 3:44 AM
I grew up celebrating two Christmases, one on the 25th December then Russian Orthodox Christmas on 7th January.
If you didn't manage to order Upheaval in time for 25th December, you still have time to put your order in for 7th January, through @downingfield.bsky.social
December 22, 2025 at 8:58 PM
Reposted
A great last-minute Christmas gift idea!
Do you know someone who is fascinated with Imperial Russia?
Upheaval would be the perfect present for them!
You can buy it through my website or through @downingfield.bsky.social
December 19, 2025 at 12:10 PM
This week's blog post looks at what inspired me to write the 2nd edition of Upheaval and the differences between it and the original manuscript. www.alexdefircks.com/what-could-p...
What could possibly have inspired me to taken on a project like Upheaval, which took me over six years to complete? - Alex de Fircks
That was a question I was asked during the book launch for the 2nd edition of Upheaval and a question which I’m often asked by both friends and contacts on
www.alexdefircks.com
December 14, 2025 at 7:01 AM
A gift for the history lover. Available at www.alexdefircks.com or @downingfield.bsky.social
December 12, 2025 at 3:56 AM
Do you know someone who is fascinated with Imperial Russia?
Upheaval would be the perfect present for them!
You can buy it through my website or through @downingfield.bsky.social
December 3, 2025 at 7:07 PM
Sorting material for the sequel to Upheaval and running out of desk space 🙄 If you haven't had a chance to buy Upheaval yet, here's the link downingfield.com/book/upheaval
November 29, 2025 at 8:37 PM
Reposted
Please NEVER pay a publisher to publish your work. The publisher PAYS you. If they’re asking for money, something is not right.
November 29, 2025 at 8:28 PM
🤣🤣🤣
November 22, 2025 at 5:55 AM
I've always been curious about the reasons behind decisions my ancestors made and recently, I discovered that Human Design can shine a light on their choices. www.alexdefircks.com/would-you-li...
Would you like to know why your ancestors made certain decisions? Its possible with Human Design - Alex de Fircks
It is now possible to gain these insights through human design.
www.alexdefircks.com
November 16, 2025 at 4:44 AM
Do you like to support your local businesses? I do. So do you know you can order Upheaval through your local bookshop? Just give them the details below and support your local bookshop.
November 8, 2025 at 8:21 PM
Reposted
📘 Want to get your hands on Upheaval: A Story of Russia, Romanovs, and Revolution?
You’ve got options!

🛍️ Buy in-store: Ask your local bookshop to order it in for you. ISBN: 9781923513013

🌐 Find a retailer: www.downingfield.com/upheaval

📱 Prefer digital? Get e-book version! ISBN: 9781923513037
Upheaval
Step into the glittering world of Imperial Russia – and witness its dramatic fall – through the eyes of Countess Olga Konstantinovna Kleinmichel. ...
www.downingfield.com
November 6, 2025 at 10:59 PM
Lol, I think I'll pass...
November 5, 2025 at 8:03 AM
You can never wear too many ties?
November 5, 2025 at 7:59 AM
This article really hits the mark. Without my grandmother's notes, diary and correspondence it would have been difficult to produce the 2nd edition of Upheaval, her memoir about life in Russia before and during the Revolution and Civil War. www.abc.net.au/news/2025-10...
Literary detective work is thrilling, but biographers face challenge in age of AI
How will the work of biographers change as letters, diaries and photographs are replaced by emails, texts and snapshots on the cloud?
www.abc.net.au
November 3, 2025 at 1:02 AM
Reposted
Interested in Russian history? Don't miss out – the second edition of Olga Woronoff's ‘Upheaval’ is the #1 best selling Imperial Russian history title at the moment!

BUY NOW: downingfield.com/upheaval
November 1, 2025 at 3:09 AM
My books have arrived! So exciting to see the 2nd edition of Upheaval in print! If you're excited too, or would like to purchase the book, visit my website www.alexdefircks.com or check out @downingfield.bsky.social #books #memoir
October 31, 2025 at 8:15 PM
Reposted
NOW AVAILABLE — UPHEAVAL is not just a memoir – it’s a historical treasure.

Born into Russian aristocracy, Countess Olga Konstantinovna Kleinmichel lived a life of privilege, beauty, and tradition—until revolution.

Learn more and find a local bookshop: downingfield.com/upheaval

#Romanovs
October 20, 2025 at 3:21 AM
Thank you!
October 17, 2025 at 10:32 AM
We had a fabulous time at the launch for the 2nd edition of Upheaval. If you couldn't join us, here is the link for the recording: youtu.be/t6uPdD76u9o
October 17, 2025 at 5:33 AM