In 2019, I began the most precious project of my life. Back then, it wasn’t even a project — just a spark of curiosity. I wanted to trace my roots.
The result is a book written for Russian-speaking readers, but who knows — if there’s interest, I may publish a few copies in English as well. What follows is a short story that I’ve translated from Russian with the help of ChatGPT to save the time. I invite you to read it, enjoy it, and learn a little more about the Tatarinov family. If you find something in the family tree that resonates with your own history — especially if you have connections to Vaytka — please reach out. I would love to connect.
THE STORY OF THE SEARCH
The idea of creating a family tree had been floating in the air for a long time. My father often mentioned Veniamin Kaverin’s novel Two Captains. The name “Captain Tatarinov” was familiar, and perhaps it was back in school that a subconscious desire to discover who our ancestors were began to take root. There were no old family tales about noble lineage, no dreams of reclaiming a lost estate, and no illusions about restoring ancestral property.
But I did hear one story from my father — about a silver pocket watch that had belonged to my great-great-grandfather. He served in the Russian Empire during World War I and was awarded the watch for his service. That story caught my attention, and perhaps it was part of what finally motivated me to begin the search.
