Young Stalin

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7. GF IML 8.2.1.53, Alexander M. Tsikhatatrishvili. Author’s interview with Gulia (Galina) Djugashvili, daughter of Yakov Djugashvili.

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8. Nikita Khrushchev, Khrushchev Remembers, 1:301–2 (henceforth Khrushchev). Stalin speech to generals of VVS RKKA and government on 22 Mar. 1938, quoted in Ostrovsky, p. 55. Dato: GF IML 8.2.1.8, Dato Gasitashvili. Kamo: GF IML 8.2.1.50.239–55, Dzhavaira Khutulashvili, nee Ter-Petrossian, Kamo’s sister.

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9. Suliashvili, p. 8. Charkviani, “Memoirs,” pp. 1–2. Keke GF IML 8.2.1.53, Alexander M. Tsikhatatrishvili. Author’s interview with Gulia (Galina) Djugashvili. Baedeker, p. 446.

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10. Davrichewy, pp. 26–28. Keke.

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11. Paternal candidates: author’s interviews with Koba Egnatashvili’s grandson Guram Ratishvili, son of Sasha Egnatashvili, about the family house, Koba’s wrestling and businesses, attitude to Stalin, substitute father, great affection and later destiny of Egnatashvili boys Vaso and Sasha. There are huge inaccuracies in most accounts of the Egnatashvili connection, but Stalin was very close to Sasha Egnatashvili. Within NKVD, attitudes to Stalin’s relationship with Egnatashvili: GARF 7523.107.127.1–6, General N. Vlasik and other interrogations. Guram Ratishvili is by far the most revealing and intelligent of the family witnesses. On genetic connection: author’s interview with Tina Egnatashvili, great-niece. Davrichewy, pp. 26–28, and see also Davrichewy, “Je suis le demifrere de Staline,” where Gori mayor Jourouli is quoted as saying, “As far as I know, Soso was the natural son of pristav Damian Petrovich Davrichewy, my friend… Everyone knew about the liaison with the pretty mother of Soso, Kato [Keke]. Besides, the armed attack on pristav Davrichewy is the proof.” Stalin’s fondness for Father Charkviani, and closeness to Egnatashvili family: Charkviani, “Memoirs.” Stalin’s comment about priest as father—“Comrade Liapidevsky, your father was a priest—mine was a priest too”—quoted in Robert Tucker, Stalin in Power, p. 627. Mgeladze, p. 242. V. Sukhodeev, Stalin v zhiznin i legandaakh, pp. 19–20, on rumours that Stalin said that Egnatashvili was his father and that Egnatashvili married Beso to Keke to hide his sin. Prince Amilakhvari: Davrichewy, p. 69. Stalin and Beso: GF IML 8.2.1.1.143–6, M. K. Abramidze-Tsikhatatrishvili. GF IML 8.2.1.53, Alexander M. Tsikhatatrishvili.

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12. Sergo Beria, Beria My Father (henceforth Beria), p. 21. Keke.

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13. Mgeladze, p. 242—“I got the impression Stalin was illicit son of Egnatashvili.” Author’s interviews: Guram Ratishvili; and Galina “Gulia” Djugashvili adds another variant that Stalin and the Egnatashvili children were both suckled by the same wet nurse: they were “milk brothers.” Davrichewy, pp. 26–28; Mayor Jourouli in Davrichewy, “Je suis le demifrere de Staline.” Tucker, Stalin in Power, p. 627. Within NKVD, on Egnatashvili relationship to Stalin: GARF 7523.107.126.1–6, General N. Vlasik interrogation.

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14. Pride in father: RGASPI 558.4.663, Fyodor Alliluyev. Khrushchev, 1:301–2. Dreams clipped: “Anarchism or Socialism,” in Stalin, Works, 1:296–372. Three cobblers—Stalin, Kaganovich and Mgeladze: Mgeladze, p. 237. RGASPI 558.11.1549.45, valiant son: Stalin to Keke, 24 Mar. 1934. Beso tells stories of banditheroes: RGASPI 558.4.665, G. Elisabedashvili.

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15. Mgeladze, p. 242. The three sons of Egnatashvili who died of smallpox were born around the same time as Stalin; the two surviving sons, Vano and Sasha, were born later. Tucker, Stalin in Power, p. 627. Keke.

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16. GF IML 8.2.1.53, Alexander M. Tsikhatatrishvili. Lobanov, pp. 13–14: memoir of David Papiashvili.

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1. Khrushchev, 1:301–2. Keke. Charkviani, “Memoirs.”

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