I Was Anastasia: A Novel

Anna Anderson is one of the two protagonists and narrators of I Was Anastasia. Her first name is an alias she assumes when she leaves the Dalldorf Asylum in Berlin; presumably, Anna is short for Anastasia. She is assigned the name Anderson by German authorities who issue her a visa for travel from Germany to the United States.

The novel ultimately reveals that Anna was born Franziska Annalie Schanzkowza, and she has two brothers and two sisters. Her family is possibly from the part of Poland that was part of the Russian Empire before the Revolution, so her fascination with the tsar’s family could account for her knowledge of their traditions. For instance, she is familiar with their role in the Opening of Navigation, an important cultural ritual, and when she claims she is Anastasia, her knowledge of these rituals serves as evidence for her claim. In reality, Franziska works in a munitions factory, making weapons during World War I. Her fiancé, Hans, is killed in action at the Battle of Amiens, and Franziska is pregnant when she hears that he is dead. Devastated by the news, she is also glad she that she will have their baby.