What is the Romanov Family Association?
Members of the Romanoff Family Association gather in Paris in 1992 . From left to right, Dimitri Romanovich (+ d. 2016), Michael Feodorovich (+ d. 2008) Alexander Nikitich (+ d. 2002) Nicholas Romanovich (+ d. 2014), Rostislav Rostislavovich (+d. 1999), Andrew Andreievich (+ d. 2021), and Nikita Nikitich (+ d. 2007).
The Romanov Family Association is a private lineage society formed in 1979 by the late Nicholas R. Romanoff (1922-2014), a non-dynast (q.v.). This group uses what today is the most common spelling, “Romanov”, even though under the monarchy the official transliteration was “Romanoff.”
Journalists have sometimes confused the Romanov Family Association with the Russian Imperial House. They are completely separate. The first is a private, unofficial group. The second is the Russian dynasty. The confusion is understandable, however. For example, after founding the Romanov Family Association, Nicholas Romanoff was elected president, and then would refer to himself as head of the Romanoff family, a source of great confusion.
The two living dynasts of the Imperial House, Grand Duchess Maria and Grand Duke George, are not members of the Romanov Family Association. None of the current members of the Romanov Family Association are members of the Imperial House. All the current Romanov Family Association members are non-dynasts descended from the numerous non-dynastic marriages contracted after the Revolution of 1917 by various male dynasts. The Romanov Family Association also has several honorary or associate members.
Currently, Olga Andreievna Romanoff serves as president of the Romanoff Family Association. She was elected in 2017. The Romanov Family Association does not represent or speak for the Imperial House.